Research Entry 3.1: Exploring Topic Development (1/26)

1. What was discussed in class today?

Today, we further examined ways to evaluate a source. We learned how to take a broad question and manipulate it into a manageable topic. When looking at sources, areas of consideration include biases, discerning objective news from subjective news, and opinions. In our activity, we discovered that different news sites put certain events "above the fold" and prioritize their stories differently from each other.

2. What points were particularly important to you and why?

When it comes to evaluating any type of source, the validity, credibility, and accuracy of any source should be first examined. Another thing that interested me was the differing political views between the news sites that we looked at. To be honest, the notion never really struck me before and now has changed my ways on evaluating a source.

3. What change will you make in your approach to research?

I will definitely want to look deeper into the hidden agendas that popular new sites have. It is something that I don't want to overlook anymore.

4. What other ideas and thought do you have about researching the authority of a source, whether it's news, a website, or some other information source?

As I stated in my answer to the previous attention, the hidden agendas of certain sites are not to be overlooked. Very easily can anyone be swayed by the slightest nudge in one direction.

5. What other ideas and thoughts do you have about topic development?

I thought that today's class was very informative. Today's topic was surprisingly eye-opening. And, to top it all off, we were let out early. I think that it is safe to conclude that today was a good day.