When I first read the assignment to create a mind map, I thought it would be difficult to come up with that many unique terms. However; once I started, the flood gates opened! Doing a simple search with my generalized topic in mind, really helped to get me thinking in different ways. I felt that looking through the titles of the books as well as the descriptions, forcibly jogged my memory into conjuring up different off shoots from my topic of breast cancer.
When I started laying out my mind map, I did have a little bit of trouble putting everything into particular categories. Some of the terms were easy to decipher where they should go but others were slightly more ambiguous. One term that I had a hard time with is “multi-cultural aspects of breast cancer”. To me, that particular term doesn’t seem to mesh well with any others. As I started the organization process, I feel as though I have a firm grasp on what goes where and why.
This assignment helped me to see how narrow I can go with my research project. Although I feel as though I know basically what each unit will consist of, doing this project opened my eyes to other possibilities. Ultimately I believe that this will make for a much richer research paper.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Research Journal Entry 3- University 106
My topic has not changed from last week. I am still focusing my research on the community of breast cancer survivors and also considering writing an argumentative essay about the BRCA genetic testing that can pre dispose women to getting breast cancer, with the chances being as high as 85%, if one tests positive for the gene. In terms of the community of breast cancer, I am going to focus on testing, treatment, support and also the genetic testing.
When I was watching the tutorial about how to use the advance search techniques, I was very surprised to learn that there were several things that I didn’t know about the advanced search. One thing that really surprised me was the option to input terms that you don’t want to contain in the search. That was really helpful because when I was searching prior to learning this, the results would come back with a lot of scientific information that really wasn’t pertinent to my search. When I was able to remove those few items, I was able find far more useful information about the personal standpoint of breast cancer.
The Web source that I used was a .org page that is a non-profit organization. The URL for my source is: http://www.facingourrisk.org/.
The reason I chose this Web source was because the information on the website was exactly what I needed. After learning about what makes a site authoritative, I followed the criteria in order to tell whether or not the website was a good one or not. The site I chose is for a non-profit group and there were two indications right away that led me to believe that the site was trustworthy. Both clues I found at the bottom of the page. The first thing being an “HONcode” which is given to websites, which verifies the website provides a standard of trustworthy health information. The other clue I found was a “Guide Star” logo which indicates that the site is recognized through the online non-profit accountability standard. The site also offers other clues that it is a reputable website. The contact information is thorough and all of the links on the site are up and working properly. Overall I feel as though this site has a lot of great information to be used as a potential source for my research paper.
When I was watching the tutorial about how to use the advance search techniques, I was very surprised to learn that there were several things that I didn’t know about the advanced search. One thing that really surprised me was the option to input terms that you don’t want to contain in the search. That was really helpful because when I was searching prior to learning this, the results would come back with a lot of scientific information that really wasn’t pertinent to my search. When I was able to remove those few items, I was able find far more useful information about the personal standpoint of breast cancer.
The Web source that I used was a .org page that is a non-profit organization. The URL for my source is: http://www.facingourrisk.org/.
The reason I chose this Web source was because the information on the website was exactly what I needed. After learning about what makes a site authoritative, I followed the criteria in order to tell whether or not the website was a good one or not. The site I chose is for a non-profit group and there were two indications right away that led me to believe that the site was trustworthy. Both clues I found at the bottom of the page. The first thing being an “HONcode” which is given to websites, which verifies the website provides a standard of trustworthy health information. The other clue I found was a “Guide Star” logo which indicates that the site is recognized through the online non-profit accountability standard. The site also offers other clues that it is a reputable website. The contact information is thorough and all of the links on the site are up and working properly. Overall I feel as though this site has a lot of great information to be used as a potential source for my research paper.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Research Journal Entry 2- University 106
The topic that I have decided on for this semester is breast cancer with a focus on the study of BRCA genes 1 & 2. My topic has deviated somewhat from last week. I was thinking about choosing breast cancer support and breast cancer survivors. One of the reasons that I decided to change my area of interest is because genetic testing and what someone does with that information is highly controversial. Some women who are testing positive for one or both of these genes are taking radical measures to ensure their health and longevity. I find this extremely interesting. I also believe that through efficient research I will be able to find information on both sides of the coin, in respect to post genetic testing decisions.
The terms that I used while searching for an article were; genetic testing, BRCA, genetic testing effects, breast cancer BRCA, and BRCA 1 & 2. All of the terms worked well, on varying levels. Upon searching BRAC, I was able to find information about the more scientific side to the genetic testing. The keyword that yielded the article I found was BRCA 1 & 2. The psychological effects of genetic testing are extremely intriguing to me. I felt as though all of my searches were very helpful in finding pertinent information.
There are actually several things that I appreciate about Academic Search Premier. One thing is the option to generate text for citation in the correct format. I also really enjoy the full text option in the search tool. I feel as though the entire program is laid out very well. Honestly, I haven’t come across anything that I don’t enjoy about the library search resource. The section on the far left side, where you can chose to narrow the result by topic, is very helpful. I look forward to using it and becoming for familiar with the options available.
This is the citation from the article that found;
Smith, Ashley Wilder, et al. "Psychological distress and quality of life associated with genetic testing for breast cancer risk." Psycho-Oncology 17.8 (Aug. 2008): 767-773. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. [Albertsons Library], [Boise], [Idaho]. 5 Feb. 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Research Journal Entry 1- University 106
The topic that I have chosen for my research community is breast cancer and with a focus on breast cancer survivors. I was hoping to find a book that covered many aspects of breast cancer, to include: the personal struggle and support that the patients required through their journey. I initially started the search using the keyword “cancer”. I must say that was very overwhelming with 1,253 results in all! I then decided to enter the words, “breast cancer” which returned a list of many books that were primarily focused on the scientific and medical aspects of cancer. After editing my search, to “breast cancer survivors”, I was able to find far more pertinent books.
The book that I settled on was a book titled, “B.O.O.B.S. : a bunch of outrageous breast-cancer survivors tell their stories of courage, hope, & healing”, compiled & edited by Ann Kempner Fisher. I decided on this book for several reasons. First of all, I believe that so much more can be learned about breast cancer from a survivor, as opposed to learning from a medically scientific standpoint. The cover of the book also grabbed my attention because from what we can see on the cover, it appears to be a naked woman, only showing her smile and stopping just above where her breasts begin. Revealing just her bare chest, yet not exposing anything more. In the place of where the breasts should be, are the letters B O O B S, in large print spread across the picture. Also the title tells so much about the contents of the book. It is widely known that some partial success of overcoming disease is having a good mental outlook and preparing accordingly.I felt as though my search was very worthwhile, yielding copious amounts of books, articles, journal entries, amongst other types of useful information. Since I will be studying and researching a very popular & frequently written about topic, I will need to be able to sort through many sources. Narrowing my search using effective key words will be very important. One thing that I would do differently on the next search would be to really narrow my search keywords down at the beginning, in order to save some time.
One thing that I have definitely learned through accomplishing this assignment, is that having this resource available to me will be so valuable over the course of the semester and for the rest of my college career. Anyone can research but I think it’s all about being to able to research efficiently in order to really create a productive & sound piece of writing.
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