Library Assignment
This Library assignment provides an opportunity for students to gain insights into the differences between Primary and Secondary sources and citing APA style.
During the library orientation class you will be shown how to find a primary source and a secondary source through the library web-site and shown how to cite sources (both Primary and Secondary) in APA format. The written assignment must be done on a word processor, no hand written assignments will be accepted.
The steps for completing the Library assignment
1. After orientation to the Library web-site, choose an article on a topic that interests you (some possible topics are listed below). Make sure that the article is considered a PRIMARY SOURCE. This would be found in an academic journal ONLY. The author(s) must be the researcher(s) reporting on a specific study and its results.
A Primary Source would include the following: a review of the literature, a description of methodology including the sample selection process, a description of the statistical analysis, and a discussion of the results. You may not use an abstract instead of the complete article. You Primary Source cannot be older than 6 years, and must be at least 5 pages long!
2. Then either using the library website or another internet site, find a Secondary source article which is on the same topic as your primary source.Your Secondary Source cannot be older than 6 years, and must be at least 2 pages long. It must come from Psychology Today, a National magazine (Time, Newsweek) or an established paper (NY Times, Washington Post). Having both a Primary source and a Secondary source is worth 10 points of this assignment.
3. The Written Assignment consists of 3 parts:
1) In the first paragraphCOMPARE: do a compare summary paragraph of how your Primary and Secondary sources are alike. You must discuss 3 ways the 2 sources are alike (Things like "they are both on the same topic", "both articles" or "both have authors", etcare NOT appropriate).Paragraph must be minimum 120 words, Include word count please! You will receive 4 points for each correct similarity.
2) In the second paragraph CONTRAST: do a contrast summary paragraph of how your Primary and Secondary sources are different. You must discuss 3 ways the 2 sources are different (Things like "one is longer", "one has more references", or "one is primary the other is secondary" etc.are NOT appropriate!). Paragraph must be minimum 120 words, Include word count please ! You will receive 4 points for each correct difference.
3) On a separate page include your references. The REFERENCEPAGE should contain citations for both your Primary and secondary sources in APA format. Your References must include live links to your Primary and Secondary sources. If the links are not live, your paper cannot be graded. You will receive 6-points for APA reference page.
Possible topics
• Effects of divorce on children
• Violent video games and teenage aggression
• Influence of the media on body image
• Television viewing and children's aggression
• Religious commitment and mental health
• Eating disorders among athletes
• Psychological effects of the internet
• Influence of parents during adolescence