All organizations have personnel policies that help to govern procedures and support
employees. Additionally, most of us are familiar with unions, even if you have never
been an active member because their actions are often in the news—such as during a
work action or strike.
Instructions:
In a 2–3-page paper, address the following:
Policy:
- First, identify a personnel policy that you believe is the most important to support
employees in your program.
- Explain why you think this policy is so significant.
Union:
After completing the reading this week and based on your impressions about unions,
answer the following questions while thinking about your perspective program:
- What do you think would be the benefits and limitations of unionization
employees in your program?
- Would you support unionization within your proposed program?
- If so, what do you think a union could accomplish?
Full Answer Section
Understanding the Audience
This discourse is tailored to undergraduate students embarking on their research journey. It provides a structured pathway to grasp the fundamental concepts of research methodology and cultivate essential research skills.
Identifying Your Thesis Statement
A thesis statement serves as the cornerstone of a research paper, concisely summarizing the central argument or claim presented in the paper. It should be clear, concise, and arguable, encapsulating the essence of the research investigation.
Navigating Academic Databases with Boolean Operators and Limiters
Effective online searches in academic databases hinge on the strategic use of Boolean operators and limiters. Boolean operators, such as AND, OR, and NOT, enable researchers to refine their search terms and narrow down results. For instance, "artificial intelligence AND ethics" retrieves content containing both terms, while "artificial intelligence OR machine learning" yields results encompassing either concept, and "artificial intelligence NOT robotics" excludes robotics-related content.
Limiters further enhance search precision by restricting results to specific criteria, such as academic journals, peer-reviewed articles, or published books. Implementing the "academic journals" limiter ensures that only scholarly journal publications are retrieved.
Herzing University Library: A Treasure Trove of Academic Databases
Herzing University Library provides unfettered access to a plethora of academic databases, empowering researchers to explore a vast repository of scholarly information. These databases include:
- EBSCOhost: A comprehensive database encompassing a wide range of disciplines, offering access to full-text articles, books, and images.
- JSTOR: A renowned resource for humanities and social sciences research, providing extensive backfiles of scholarly journals and ebooks.
- ProQuest: A versatile database catering to diverse research needs, offering access to scholarly journals, dissertations, news sources, and company reports.
- Web of Science: A premier database for identifying high-impact, cited research, enabling researchers to track citations and gauge the influence of scholarly works.
CRAAP: Assessing Source Credibility
CRAAP, an acronym for Currency, Relevance, Accuracy, Authority, and Purpose, serves as an invaluable tool for evaluating the credibility and suitability of information sources. By applying CRAAP criteria, researchers can make informed decisions about the trustworthiness and usefulness of various resources.
Currency: Evaluating the currency of a source involves assessing its timeliness and relevance to the current state of knowledge within the research topic. Outdated sources may not reflect current understanding or advancements in the field.
Relevance: Determining the relevance of a source entails gauging its direct connection to the research topic and its ability to address the specific research question or objective. Irrelevant sources provide no substantial contribution to the research investigation.
Accuracy: Assessing the accuracy of a source involves verifying the correctness and faithfulness of the information presented. Inaccurate sources may contain misleading or erroneous information that compromises the integrity of the research.
Authority: Evaluating the authority of a source entails examining the credentials and expertise of the author or creator. Reputable sources originate from individuals or institutions recognized as subject matter experts in the relevant field.
Purpose: Determining the purpose of a source involves understanding the author's intent and potential biases. Scholarly sources aim to inform and educate, while non-scholarly sources may seek to persuade or promote a particular agenda.
CRAAP in Action: Selecting Reliable Sources
Throughout the source selection process, CRAAP plays a pivotal role in identifying trustworthy and credible resources. Among the CRAAP criteria, accuracy receives particular attention, as researchers strive to ensure the validity and integrity of the information they incorporate into their research. Evaluating the expertise and affiliations of source authors also holds significant weight, as reputable sources typically stem from individuals or institutions recognized as authorities in the relevant field.
Helpful Resources for Research and Annotated Bibliographies
During the research journey, several resources proved particularly valuable in conducting research and compiling an annotated bibliography:
- Academic Journals: Scholarly journals serve as a primary source of in-depth, peer-reviewed research findings, offering credible and reliable information.
- Books: Books authored by experts in the field provide comprehensive overviews of research topics, often delving into greater depth than journal articles.
- Credible Websites: Reputable websites, such as those maintained
Sample Answer
Steps of the Research Process
A Comprehensive Guide
Purpose: To outline the various phases of the research process and present a firsthand account of developing a research topic and compiling an annotated bibliography.
Introduction
Conducting research involves a step-by-step process to locate and evaluate information in order to answer a well-defined research question. This comprehensive guide explores the intricacies of the research process, encompassing topic selection, thesis statement development, and effective online searches using academic databases within the Herzing University Library. Additionally, the guide delves into CRAAP, a valuable tool for source evaluation, and highlights its practical application during the source selection process.