Education: Homework Assignment, Essay Example

• What are the suggested methods for selecting a research topic? What method do you think will work best for you and why?

Classmate Response: Preliminary research is such a useful step, not only in writing, but in many other aspects of life. When buying a house, taking on a task that may be something we are not very skilled at, or shopping for a car, having that small amount of information that we may not have otherwise had gives us an advantage. As you stated, in this case, making sure there is enough information in general to make a successful paper of is vital, otherwise when the midway point arises and the lack of information becomes evident, trouble may arise.

My Response: Preliminary research is one method and probably the best for ensuring enough relevant information exists on the topic. It is quick and when complete, the paper can be approached with confidence. Other methods for selecting a research topic are searching through databases, to choose a topic you have personal interest in, or to choose a topic that no one else is likely to choose. I like the idea of a fresh topic so the combination of choosing a unique topic and then doing quick preliminary research to ensure there is enough published information is probably the best method for me.

• Consider the time management tips you have learned in previous courses. What types of information should you include in your project schedule? How do you plan to manage your research and writing to ensure your project is completed on time?

Classmate Response: Project schedules a project from the information that you enter about the following: The overall project. The individual work items (called tasks) required to complete the project. If necessary, the resources needed to complete those tasks. If anything about your project changes after you create your schedule, you can update the tasks or resources and Project adjusts the schedule for you. For each task, you might enter one or all of the following: Durations Task dependencies Constraints Using this information, Project calculates the start date and finish date for each task. You can enter resources in your project and then assign them to tasks to indicate which resource is responsible for completing each assignment. Not only does this help you plan project staffing, it can also help you to calculate the number of machines needed or the quantity of material to be consumed. If you enter resources, task schedules are further refined according to the following resource information: Work Units Working times entered in calendars Other elements, such as lead time and lag time, task types, resource availability, and the driving resource, can affect scheduling, so understanding the effects of these elements can help you to maintain and adjust your schedule as needed. TOP OF PAGE How does the project start date affect the schedule? If you enter a start date for the project, by default, Project schedules tasks to begin on the project’s start date and calculates the project’s finish date based on the last task to finish. As you enter more information about tasks, such as task dependencies, durations, and constraints, Project adjusts the schedule to reflect more accurate dates for tasks. When you create a new project, you first enter the project’s start date. When you schedule a project from the start date, all tasks start at the project start date unless you specify otherwise. With no task dependencies or constraints applied, the project’s duration is the same as the duration of the longest task.

My Response: One of the most important time management tips I have learned in previous courses is the value of outlining tasks according to completion date. A project schedule should first include the start date and completion date. Next, any mid-project grading dates or review checkpoints should be entered, such as the deadline for a first or second draft, source list, or annotated bibliography. If interviews will be needed, these should be scheduled and entered in, but the time for scheduling interviews should also be planned to ensure they are made in time. The amount of days to be spent on each portion of research should also be entered into the project schedule. The better scheduled, the smoother the project goes.

• Is it important to have a research question when writing a research paper? Why?

Classmate Response: It is important to have a research question when writing a research paper because that is part of the process to start form.  In choosing a topic, it is recommended to ask a specific research question, which is a broad, open-minded question that a writer uses to guide the research paper.  Once the research question is answered as thoughtfully as possible it grants the writer to flow into working on the working thesis and the research proposal that will include the research question as well as sub-questions, thesis, and a plan for gathering information.  It may be a process but I believe that no one step should be skipped over because it is a process and helps with the overall flow and guidance to a successful paper.

My Response: Yes, it is important to have a research question when writing a research paper. The reason for this is to give the paper direction, keep the research focused and on topic, and help with organization of the paper itself. The answer to a good research question will lead to the development of a great thesis. Research questions are the first step in the process of a finished, focused research paper. If this first step is bypassed, the thesis will not be complete and there is no solid point to come back to when doing research, no anchor to revolve around to keep the paper focused and organized.