To Find a Periodical...

What a fun day it was today in class! This time, we focused on different types of periodic and how they appeal to the consumer. The different kinds of category allows people to easily search for what they are looking for. We learned the difference between Popular magazines, Scholarly and trade professional magazines.

b) The difference between the three is that:
1. Popular magazines involved current news, newest trends, general interest, etc
2. Scholarly focuses primarily on research articles, novels, books, all involving some form and purpose for educative development.
3. Professional trade magazines tend to show information about the business world, company information's, new products and all involving business factors.

c) Print forms, they are written years before and then published over time. Unfortunately, finding the current articles about these forms are difficult to find. The electronic forms are not necessarily better, but they do tend to have more current information, since more people are using the Internet. And the unfortunate factor about that is one would have to use a good database in order to find articles.

Research Process and the findings of Teen Jobs

In English, we read an article about teenagers working in low-skills job such as McDonald's to earn an income of sorts. The article, Working at McDonald's, by Amitai Etzioni focuses on his point on of view and studies about high school seniors that work for these fast food restaurants and tend to show less interest in school. I will focus on the study of the twenty first century teenager and the importance for them as individuals to obtain a part time job.

Search terms such as:
Teenagers and Part time jobs
students in fast food jobs
students and fast food

I will use the following search databases for this assignment:
Academic Search Premier
American Fact Finder
Lexis - Nexis Academic Universe

Learn to search better...

a) Today, October 29, 2007, in class we learned that words and phrases can cause for a better or for worse internet serach. We explored on the CSUEB database, the different sites that one can used to aquire information. In particular, we learned that the information is located in a datebase but sometimes it can be hard to find due to the words one would type in.

b) I found that if i narrowed down my searches by providing exact or specific details, I should be able to find some or several articles.

c) If use specific details in the search process, such as date and the kind of articles I should be able to locate information on several datebases. The databases that CSUEB provides such as LEXIS can be very useful.

Research Log Entry II

In the Cluster that I am currently enrolled in, in physics, we focused our attention to roller coasters. Because roller coasters are quite popular, I needed to know more about how they operate and why they attract people.

a) How do roller coasters work against gravity?

b) Using the Academic Search Premier I was able to find useful information by searching for "Roller Coasters" - "Gravity". This search title worked because I was able be referred me to a useful article on the aspects of the roller coaster.

c) Such words as, operating physics and coasters need to be fine toned. For those are words that I used to fine my information. This did not work properly.

d) I feel like I had too few, or maybe I was just about right on my searches. I believe that if the grammar was toned down or maybe rephrase, a search would possible work. Moreover, I feel that two to five articles could be appropriate.

e) Because these articles can relate to the subject at hand, I did in fact find the answer in the question in hand. Although I did find clues and hints, I had hope to be more specific next time.

f) When one is looking for specific data, the usage of Boolean operators help to condense the junk given. For example, the words and, or, or not can be used to finding the specific book and forget that tone needs to be improved.

Databases and their Features...

a) Today in class we discussed the techniques of using Cal State East Bay's database systems. By further being specific there is a way to explore and find what one is looking for. We were able to log on to CSUEB library and use the academic search premier to locate all types of articles.

b) When we discussed the types of database and how narrow your searches was important to comprehend. In my studies I try to locate as many articles as I can and it can be occasionally difficult to find real and precious articles. I find it easier now to use a database system such as the one that Cal State East Bay offers.

c) Being able to log onto Cal States East Bay's library site I am able to search articles that at one point was hard to find. Using a engine site such as Google.com, I am able to locate minimal articles because Google's system provides mostly, word or phrases to locate these articles.

d) As long as I continue to learn and use the researching techniques I will be able to locate my topics more specifically. From what I learned today, I will be able to manage my researches and my time correctly.

Starbucks and My Research Log Entry = Ideas...

Well, we begin this week, with a new blog and with a new topic. I am about to engage a new topic in the English class that I am currently enrolled in. The topic that I have chosen to write about is on the overall life of Starbucks individual chain stores, and how all walks of life visit Starbucks for a piece of sanctity and the enjoyment of cup of joe.
First I need a question...

a) Why is it that Starbucks became popular over a long but small period of time?

b) Why do people love Starbucks? Why do people visit Starbucks so often? How come other coffee chains are not are "successful" as Starbucks?

c) I have decided to get first hand experience with the animal itself, and visit one or two of these Starbucks to see different points of view. My goal is to ask the general public questions curtaining to the matter at hand. A sample question that I have written down for the public is "do you feel welcomed at Starbucks?" Moreover, approaching the management side of Starbucks is equally interesting, therefore, I have decided that this would be as appropriate to find out some information from the perspective view of the management "What makes Starbucks, Starbucks?"

d) After conducting a few experiments on the overall aspects of my subject, I have decided that a final question will most likely be involved at some point or at the end. This being a reflection of my overall observations and ideas.

e) The perfect part of my topic is that, it is not complex when it is compared to topics as the study of cancer, cloning or Geno-project. My topic is straight forward and it does not necessarily demand a serious of exploration. If it requires this, I would most likely research the date Starbucks came online, and simple stats and facts about the corporation.

Further developing a topic, 2nd week, log 1

Today in class, October 5, 2007, we discussed and researched the many ways of comparing news sources and how to identify the usage of these sites.

Moreover, by understanding the plenty of sites given to us, I find it particularly important to use many different sources. With these different news conglomerate's covering the same subjects, opinions and facts can be written differently. In my life, I enjoy reading, especially the San Francisco Chronicle, read CNN or watch it, and read BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) news online. This is due to the fact that everyone including companies have a different agenda and covering the same subjects allow me to comprehend the topic or further develop questions.

I do not think that I will make any changes, because I know which web sites are professional and mature. Although some sites have their own political agenda, I seek to find facts and information instead of pro- political parties.

I believe that, by beginning a research one has to be familiar with certain sites that can help them develop their thinking. Even for students or people in general who either find researching for authentic sites or do not know how to research, maturity and professionalism of a site can determine its intended goal. Although, some sites have the characteristics of maturity and professionalism, trusting these sites or as CNN states "the most trusted name in news", is important.

I believe that in a developing a topic, one has to ask or assume questions to topics they either know or do not know. Like a readers assumption in literature and writing, researches have to be able to be open minded. Seek and destroy those questions that are challenging in today's world. I am only a student which allows me to try new things and question everything that comes about curiosity. But in developing a topic and finding the facts needs to be a professional investigation.

My Second and Interesting Entry...

This week, the class was assigned another resource log entry that was or is suppose to think of a question to research the web on. Unfortunately, I did not go class to class considering or pondering a question in which to research. Although, in fact, I questioned something outside of my school life. I was curious to a related subject in physics that involved force, torque and the wheel.
a) Therefore, in a related manner, I researched how I could save more gas on my car?

b) As a former employee for General Motors, I first went on their supposable "useful" or "helpful" web site that gives tips and suggestions to increase gas millage for the maximum benefit. I did also, used Google.com, to seek the question I had been pondering for sometime now.

c) Searching the web engines, such as Google, I looked specifically for "GM auto fuel mileage" and with that one small phrase, I had plenty of resources to live by.

d) I found out that the variant driving conditions are a major benefactor to the elimination of gas. Moreover, I read that GM is finding ways to increase the productivity of gas in their engines.

e) I also read maximum fuel capacity from other car companies, such as Nissan and Toyota this allowed me to determine how other companies are treating the increase in crude prices.

f) I was curious why most "intelligent" people, comment on American vehicles that are considered "gas-killers"? In comparison, the Import companies have as a bad reputation as the American companies do. Due to the fact that I worked for GM, I am a supporter and I know that our company is developing new engineering ideas to better benefit the consumer. Although, the corporation of these companies would benefit the entirety if they would work with each other scientifically.