Resaerch paper

Created for LING-153 (Independent Research Writing by Ferey | Fall 2019

Research Project #1 – Introduction

For your first research project, you will write a report about a topic you are interested in. A report requires that you gather and present facts. It does not require that you analyze the facts or make an argument about what the facts mean. Sources You are required to use three sources for this report. One of these sources must be a reliable encyclopedia (=not Wikipedia). One of these sources must be located using the PSU Library Databases to ensure they are reliable. You might use two encyclopedia entries and one newspaper article from the library database, for example. Alternatively, you might use one encyclopedia article, and one newspaper and one magazine article from the library database. If you choose to use a source found via Google Search, you may, but it must be an additional (a fourth) source. It cannot replace the encyclopedia or the database-derived sources. Topics You may select any of the topics listed here. If you have an idea that is not listed, talk to Eowyn to find out if it is workable.

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Research Question: What happened in the Rana Plaza Collapse in 2013? OR What changes

have (or have not) taken place in the garment industry since the Rana Plaza Collapse? OR

What is the history of the garment industry?

This research question can be explored from the perspective of these disciplines (and probably

others, too!):

Sociology | Fashion | Gender or Women’s Studies | Economics – Manufacturing / Supply

Chain/Capitalism/Globalization | Business Ethics | Engineering – Building Design

Databases with information: Sage and Oxford

Keywords: Rana Plaza (Oxford only)

Fast Fashion (Sage only)

Garment Industry (both)

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Research Question: What are the main controversies surrounding AI (Artificial Intelligence)

in consumer products? (You could focus on general issues or all the issues related to one

product, for example, Amazon’s Alexa.)

This research question can be explored from the perspective of these disciplines (and probably

others, too!):

Computer Science | Law | Business | Philosophy - Ethics

Databases with information: Sage and Oxford Keywords: Artificial Intelligence Natural Language Processing

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Research Question: How does gender impact education, employment, economic status, or

something else? OR How well-represented are women in government OR business? OR

Focus on one company, or industry, that is particularly innovative with resolving gender

issues OR Focus on one company, or industry, that is particularly challenged by gender issues.

This research question can be explored from the perspective of these disciplines (and probably

others, too!):

Sociology | Business | Economics | Human Rights | Women’s or Gender Studies |

Government/Law | Education |

Databases with information: Sage and Oxford

Keywords: Gender Equality

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Research Question: What are the main controversies surrounding social media companies

like Facebook? OR How has social media been involved in social movements of the recent

past? OR How has social media impacted government and / or elections in a particular

country?

Business – Ethics, Models | Computer Science | Psychology | Political Science | Philosophy –

Ethics |

Databases with information: Sage and Oxford

Keywords: Social Media

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Portland State of Mind

This term PSU hosts the annual festival “Portland State of Mind.” Part of the festival includes

free lectures and workshops about various current topics. Most of these would be excellent

starting points for a short research project – or a longer one! Google “Portland State of Mind”

for a complete list and let Eowyn know if you see something you’d like to explore.