Aims and Objectives: This week I set out to revise and create a better research question by analyzing my previous question on cochlear implants in order to learn more about my topic. I also set goals to use the search strategies that we have discussed the past few weeks to help me with my research question, and to learn how to accurately evaluate a website and information. I did these things to prepare myself for future research that we will do for our class projects.
Declarative Knowledge:I learned that revising the essential research question and analyzing the support questions will give you a better understanding of what kind of question is needed for this project. I also learned that developing a well planned search strategy will ultimately give me the most accurate results when doing my research. Along with these things, I learned that it is important to analyze the key words in the essential question in order to revise the question in a more researchable way. Having a question that is either too broad or to narrow will not yield the best search results. Additionally, evaluation of different websites and information is very important when doing research. Looking at aspects such as accuracy and objectivity is vital when deciding if the information is from a reliable source and useful for projects like the one we will conduct.
Procedural Knowledge: In order to revise my essential question, I had to take each of the content words and think of how they could be more specific. Some examples are “implantation-pacemaker, cochlear, embryo” and “development-language, growth, physical, maturity.” After making a list of these, I had to choose which words to use in order to make my question much more specific; thus, giving me my revised question. Next, I took my revised question and made a list of the foundation questions, or questions that lead me to answering my essential question. Some of these included “what is a cochlear implant?,” and “who can be implanted?” After revising and coming up with the foundation questions I then had to think about search strategies. It is important to consider key terms/phrases and where I can search for these terms. I then had to conduct a search on my topic, and then on collaborative software. Next, I learned how to evaluate a website using the Purdue Worksheet and then an evaluation guide on the internet for evaluating information.
Conditional Knowledge:Learning and knowing how to revise questions is a very important skill to have in order to be successful both in school and the real world. Until now, I did not know the correct questions to ask myself in order to narrow a topic down. Again, search strategies are important for everyday life, and evaluating information is very important since it is so easy to publish things on the internet. I ultimately need to know how to do all of these tasks in order to accurately conduct my research, not only for this class but for my future classes and profession. I feel like I will use these search strategies and evaluation techniques for my career because we will be obligated to use evidence based practice as speech-language pathologists.
