Your assignment...
Research Paper 25% Each student will complete a research paper on a topic selected from a list of acceptable topics (posted on VIULearn). These topics have been selected based on the availability of resources. If you have another topic in mind, please come and see me to have it approved. Your research paper MUST:
Research Paper Outline and Bibliography 15% Before you write your paper, you must submit an outline and an annotated bibliography. I will provide you with a template for the outline, to help you organize your thoughts. The comments you receive on your proposal will help you to prepare a stronger research paper. Your outline should:
Your bibliography should:
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Forming research questions as you research and read...
Idea: People and mega-projects
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Exploring the dimensions of the topic...
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Topic themes: nationalism regionalism ethnicity "in the world" |
From concepts and key words to search strategy...
For example:
"first nations" "hydroelectric projects"
("first nations" OR aboriginal OR indigenous OR "indians of north america" OR "native peoples") (dams OR hydroelectric)
(postwar OR "post war") (church* OR relig*) (peace OR pacifis* OR "anti-war") canad*
Where to look for scholarly, secondary sources depends on the nature and scope of your topic...
Look for filters: scholarly, books & ebooks, discipline, subject, content type, date...
Tracing the scholarly conversation
One useful article may help to locate others. For example:
Look at references (footnotes, endnotes, bibliography) to trace the sources the author used...
In this case, a related book and a journal article are found in the Library collection.
Book:
Journal article:
Tracing sources forward using Google Scholar "cited by":
Selected resources for Chicago Style help:
Vancouver Island University Library | email:library@viu.ca | Nanaimo: 250.740.6330 | Cowichan: 250.746.3517 | Powell River: 1.888.920.2221 ext.6330 | @VIULibraryReport a Problem