MGCS 5001 - Understanding China, 1700-2000: A Data-Analytic Approach: Research to find Evidence

Research to find Evidence to Support Your Analytic Thesis

In more casual language, you must support the ideas and explanations in your paper with "evidence" ("facts", research findings, data,  etc.)

What are the assignments that need research & citation?

1. PPT presentations—35 percent of course grade. The group presentations and discussion based on the corresponding weekly topics will be graded in terms of Textual and Graphic narrative, Oral delivery, Evidence and Persuasiveness.

2. Writing exercises—35 percent of course grade. Students will submit 1000-word group writing exercises on assigned topics, which will be graded in terms of English language, Organization, Evidence and Persuasiveness.

3. Discussion—15 percent of course grade. 10 percent will be graded on student discussion about assigned PPT presentations and writing exercises. 5 percent will be graded on class participation.

4. Group teamwork—15 percent of course grade. Students peer assessment on teamworkourse grade. Students peer assessment on teamwork by group members will be included in the final grading at the end of the term. 

What does the syllabus say about the researched material in your assignments?

You will be graded on your ability to provide sufficient evidence to support your analytic thesis

• Below standard (P-): simply asserts personal opinion, or attempts to use evidence to support ideas but it is irrelevant, partial, ineffective, and/or not convincing.
• Meets standard (P): generally integrated when using sources, facts, and details, be able to demonstrate meaningful connections between your evidence and your analytic thesis, but is not so effective or convincing.
• Above standard (P+): uses relevant evidence to convincingly support your analytic thesis and effectively develop your ideas.

 What does this have to do with the Library?

• Evidence that you are required to use in your assignments is largely information, ideas, and theories that you have found via research: from books, articles, data, etc.
• The Library provides you those books, articles, data, etc. and ways to search, find, and use them.
• Librarians can help you by giving advice of search strategies and help on using the various search engines, databases, and other material the Library subscribes to for the university community

Search & Research are different ¹. As developing scholars, you will need to do both.

• Know the answer or have a "hoped for answer"? = Search
  • When did the Civil Service examination system in China start?
  •  When did the university entrance exams start after the Cultural revolution?
• Don't know the answer; not sure of the question? = Research
  •  How did college entrance exams in China and France create or diminish social mobility before 1960 ?
  • What are the common factors that contribute to wealth stratification in contemporary China and the USA?

1. Wilkinson, Lane. (2014, July 15). Is research inquiry? [blog post] . Retrieved from: https://senseandreference.wordpress.com/2014/07/15/is-research-inquiry/

The research process can be seen as a "virtuous circle"
 

You search & evaluate results & think, and skim & read & then...

You search & evaluate results & think, and skim & read & then...

You search & evaluate results & think, and skim & read & then..