Money, Economy, and Society
From PhillipsWiki
Contents |
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Research Process
- For guidance in the research process, look to the menu on the left hand side.
- Pick a topic that you find interesting or fascinating. Be careful not to choose a topic because you think it will be "easy."
- Prepare a list of keywords or synonyms for the topic(s) that you are searching. For example, if you are focusing on "Walmart" -- other terms might include ""Box Stores" or even "Wal Mart"
- Make sure you read the your assignment carefully. You can gain valuable insights into the research and paper writing process by understanding the expectations put forth in the assignment (length, sources required, etc...).
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Gaining an Overview with Reference Sources
Reference Sources are a great way to get overview information on a topic. These books can help inform you of the background of your topic as well as areas to explore in your paper.
| Title of Reference Source | About the Resource |
|---|---|
| New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics | A well known dictionary for understanding economic concepts. A good place to get an overview of a larger topic. |
| Oxford Encyclopedia of Economic History | Offers excellent overviews of major economic concepts as well as places them in historical context. |
| Economics Basics | Another encyclopedia with overview and summary articles on Economic concepts. |
| Economics | Organized by theme, this 6 volume set offers numerous articles on economi concepts. |
| Worldmark Encyclopedia of National Economies | Includes information on the economies of countries. For each Nation, information such as Trade, money supply, economic sectors are included.McGraw Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology. An advanced Scientific Encyclopedia available Online. |
| Encyclopedia of the Global Economy: A Handbook for Students and Researchers | Contains numerous articles on the economic issues of the world including Transnational corporations., sustainable development, economic justice, and global labor rights. |
| Global Perspectives on the United States: A Nation by Nation Survey | A little more International relations focused, this 3 volume set offers a nation by nation breakdown of world opinion about the United States. The third volume consists of essays documenting the United States role (good and bad) in the World Economy. |
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Delving Deeper with Books
Books offer a more complete look at a subject as well as give good ideas for other resources and references.
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Keyword and Subject Searching
Most people start with a keyword search of the library catalog. The computer will look for your words in the book "record." The record contains an item's title, author, subject, and table of contents or item summary.
- Choose your keywords carefully. Start with the most popular name of what you are researching, but also think of other ways to refer to it.When doing economic searches, you will also want to search the name of the concepts and or themes you are researching. Remember, there are many different ways to refer to something.
- Subject Searches are an even more powerful way to search the catalog. They will focus your search using the exact terminology employed by librarians to describe the book. When you find a book you like using keywords, click on the subjects to find out more.
- Subjects can be found in the "more information" section of a book record. Simply click on the subject to execute the search..
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Finding Articles Using Databases
Article databases contain thousands of articles organized and searchable using keywords, specific journal titles, publishing dates, etc... Information contained in articles can be more specific than book information as well as more up to date. The primary method to access articles from magazines and journals is through databases. You can access these databases in the library, in your dorm room, or the PACC.
Below is a chart of some databases that you may find helpful in this assignment. To see a listing of all the databases to which the library subscribes, visit the Databases A-Z Page.
| Title of Database Click on to go to database | About the Database |
|---|---|
| Business Source Premier | Searches articles from over 10,000 different magazine and journal titles. Also allows you to search company and industry profiles, as well as the economic conditions of countries around the world. |
| Opposing Viewpoints Online | Offers pro/con arguments and essays on a variety of topics as well as general magazine searches. |
| Points Of View Reference Center | Another pro/con database. This covers more topics than opposing viewpoitns, but usually with less content. Also includes a general magazine and reference search. |
| CQ Researcher | CQ Researcher looks at a current event or argument in depth offering unbiased analysis and an excellent bibiliography. |
| New York Times | The New York Times is an excellent resources for information on economics. You may also want to try the the online version for easier search capabilities. |
| Wall Street Journal Online | The interface for this database can be somewhat confusing. I suggest you search for an article at the Wall Street Journal Online Edition first, and then switch over to this database to get the article free of charge. |
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Exploring Internet Sources
You will probably find websites helpful for this project. Always remember to evaluate your sources when you are looking at websites. Below is a list of some sites you should find worthwhile for your project.
| Website | What is it? |
|---|---|
| The Economist Online | The online version of the prestigious British magazine.
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Resources for Particular Assignments
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Essay #1
Here are a few articles that will give you some insight into this question:
- McDonald's Influence Goes Beyond Burgers
- This 1999 Christian Science Monitor article discusses the overall influence of McDonald's on culture.
- A McDonald's Ally in Paris
- An article from the NY Times documenting the role/influence of McDonald's as an American Ambassador to the French.
- Is Wal-Mart Good for America?
- This PBS Frontline Special analyzes this question in-depth. Includes some great material including interviews (check out the one with Gary Gereffi).
- Discount Nation; Is Wal-Mart Good for America?
- A 2003 NY Times article that asks this very question.
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Essay #3
In late June, the non-partisan Tax Policy Center analyzed the two candidates plans'. Be aware that it is very dense and may be hard to read. (I did not include it here for that reason).
Here are a few websites and articles to help you analyze the Candidate's Economic Proposals:
- Barack Obama's Economic Platform
- This takes you to the overview of Barack Obama's economic plan
- John McCain's Economic Platform
- The link above will take you to John McCain's outline for the economy
- VoteGopher Analysis of the platforms
- Created by young people, this site intends to inform people on the differences in the candidates in a non-partisan way.
- Boston Globe Article
- A recent article from the Boston Globe analyzing the candidates positions.
- MSNBC Analysis of the Economic Plans
- A summary article of the differences between the two candidates.
- CNN Analysis of the Economic Plans
- CNN Money compared each candidates plan. Be sure to click on the links throughout the article.
- Who Cares?!
- Daniel Gross argues that neither candidates' ideas will really impact the economy.
- Cato Institute's forum of each candidate's Economic Platform
- You can watch the video in the PACC or download the podcast for listening on your own. Contact a librarian if you need any additional assistance.
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Final Project
- Climate Change Report
- A report from the CQ Researcher looking at the impacts (socially and economically)of the ways to mange energy and climate change. Look at the bibliograpghy for additional help
- Global Climate Change Report
- Examines the issue from a global perspective. includes a section on the economic impact of climate change proposals (i.e. carbon tax, cap and trade, etc...)
- Article comaring Carbon Tx to Cap & Trade
- A recent article from the NY Times on the merits/deficits of each system
- Carbon Tax vs. Cap and Trade
- A report from the biased "Carbon Tax Center"." nevertheless, highlights some of the differences between the two.
- Energy for the 21st Century
- A book of essays discussing energy from an economic point of view. There are numerous chapters pertaining to your topic.
- Energy Autonomy
- A book looking the economic effects of alternative energy methods.
- Alternative Energy:Political, Economic, and Social Feasability
- Includes chapters on the economics of alternative energy.
- Policy Options for reducing CO2 emissions
- An economic analysis from the Congressional Budget Office
- Assessment of Cap and Trade System
- A report form the Brookings Institution (liberal bias) analysing the merits of a cap and trade system. Includes chapters on economic assessment and a comparison to other schemes.
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Citations and Documentation
Citations can seem confusing. The process usually consist of two parts.
- In-text Citations -- As you write, you will need to acknowledge the sources where ideas (not your own) originate.
- Works Cited List -- You may know it as a Bibliography. The Works Cited list appears at the end of your paper and contains all the sources used in your in-text citations.
- Consult the librarians for help on citations.
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In-Text Citations
- Diana Hacker's guide to Citing Sources - An easy to use, comprehensive resource from the author of the Writer's Reference.
- The OWL at Purdue's MLA Guide to In-Text citations -- Make sure you scroll all the way to the bottom for more information on citing sources and preparing your Works Cited List.
- The University of Wisconsin at Madison's guide to In-text citations using MLA
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Works Cited List
- Diana Hacker's guide to Citing Sources - Diana Hacker also includes an excellent section on preparing the works cited list.
- University of Wisconsin at Madison guide to the Works Cited List - In Addition to the examples, there is also a guide to formatting your works cited list.
- Long Island University's Guide to MLA Style - This color-coded guide has many examples for the different sources listed in a works cited list.
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Additional Citation Tools
- The Landmark Project's Citation Machine This tool, although not perfect, will produce citations in the proper format when you enter the citation elements (author, title, etc...)
