D#10,HW#2 Annotated Bib X 2

The two sources I located this week both contain statistics related to Internet filtering. Both are fairly balanced, with no particular opinions expressed. The facts are presented and analyzed, and will help when writing my paper.

Richardson, Caroline R., Paul J. Resnick, Derek L. Hansen, Holly A. Derry, and Victoria J. Rideout. “Does Pornography-Blocking Software Block Access to Health Information on the Internet?(Abstract)” JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association 288.22 (11 Dec. 2002): 2887. Health Reference Center Academic. Gale. Mesa Community Coll., Mesa, AZ. 27 Oct. 2007 < http://ejournals.ebsco.com.ezp.mc.maricopa.edu/direct.asp?ArticleID=7VGNQRC8W40V8Y5970VQ >.

This article presents the results of a controlled test of Internet access to health information through different levels of filtering or blocking. The statistics are very clear, and the conclusions reached by the authors will be useful when refuting objections to my thesis. The article is not available online in full-text, but I will try to locate it when I am back on campus.

Wolak, Janis, Kimberly Mitchell, and David Finkelhor. "Unwanted and Wanted Exposure to Online Pornography in a National Sample of Youth Internet Users.(Survey)." Pediatrics 119.2 (Feb. 2007): 247(11). Health Reference Center Academic. Gale. Mesa Community Coll., Mesa, AZ. 27 Oct. 2007
< http://find.galegroup.com.ezp.mc.maricopa.edu/itx/start.do?prodId=HRCA>.

The results of a telephone survey conducted in 2005 are presented and analyzed in this article. Several mental health conditions identified in teens and associated with online pornography viewing are explored. The survey results are separated into groups according to the level of exposure the teens admitted. The authors are employed by the Crimes Against Children Resource Center at the University of New Hampshire. The statistics will help me explain the results of unfiltered Internet access.

D#10,HW#1 Reading reflection

The chapter readings this week from Everything's an Argument helped me identify the style I will be using in my WP#3. My thesis is in the form of a proposal, and chapter 11 covered it very well. The "Guide to writing a proposal" on pages 346-350 outlines each of the steps I will need to take. I enjoyed reading all of the sample essays, especially the tongue-in-cheek style of P.J. O'Rourke in his "Mass Transit Hysteria." I try to find humor in things whenever possible, and it is nice to be able to lighten up some subjects that might otherwise be heavy and dry.
The websites I reviewed will assist me in finalizing a thesis statement, and constructing the first draft of my research essay. I forgot that Devon said he would have some samples for us to look at. I meant to ask him about that during class Thursday. Hope he will post something online at least.

D#9,HW#7 Deadline reflection

This must have been a tough week for everyone...not too many posts yet.
All of the review and homework this week helped me organize my research. Creating the paper for WP#3 next week will be easier than any other paper I have done. Learning how to do each step will help me with all future writing. Even though it was a royal pain sometimes, it was worth learning to do it correctly.
I commented on the following Toulmin outlines:
"D#9, HW#4, Toulmin Outline" Coralee
"D9HW4 Out-line" Steph

D#9,HW#6 Outline

Internet Filtering

Thesis: Federal laws governing the use of Internet filtering software in libraries need to be strengthened.

I. Introduction

II. What is Internet filtering?

A. Technology needed

B. Software/How it works

1. Filtering

2. Blocking

C. Cost to implement

D. Results/Limitations

III. Why filter?

A. Inappropriate content

B. Parent/Patron demand

IV. Current Laws

A. History

B. Challenges

C. Who must comply?

1. Public libraries

2. School libraries

V. Filtering statistics

A. Survey results

1. Pro-filtering organizations

2. Anti-filtering organizations

B. Opinions of information professionals/librarians

C. Manufacturer claims

VI. Recommended solutions

A. Changes to laws

B. Additional safeguards

VII. Conclusion

D#9,HW#5 Clustering

D#9,HW#5 Clustering

Personally, I don’t like mapping or clustering my information. I do much better putting it in a logical outline form. I do that by organizing my sources according to content. For this research, I have sections pertaining to: the laws and challenges to the laws; the filtering software and how it works; positions held by different groups; opinions and facts from library and user surveys; and possible solutions. Several of these clusters will be broken down further into separate sections, such as specific filtering options for each type of software. The next outline I post will reflect my groupings.

D#9,HW#4 Toulmin outline

For some reason, the formatting doesn't want to post right. I will try one more time...

Claim/Thesis: Federal laws governing the use of Internet filtering software in libraries need to be strengthened.

I. Reason 1: Filtering is not mandated for all libraries
A. (Warrant) Law should be consistent for all public and school libraries
B. (Evidence) Some libraries are completely exempt from the laws
C. (Evidence) Some libraries choose to refuse funding that would require compliance with the law
D. (Evidence) Some libraries filter more content than is required by law
II. Reason 2: Filtering results in reduced availability of information
A. (Warrant) Internet searches should produce valuable results
B. (Evidence) Filters block legitimate sites with no review
C. (Evidence) Filtering decisions are made by technicians, not information professionals
III. Reason 3: Filtering is not protecting library users
A. (Warrant) Library users want reliable protection from inappropriate Internet content
B. (Evidence) Library users may know how to circumvent filtering technology
C. (Evidence) Library users can request that filtering be turned off without stating the reason
D. (Evidence) Laws only require filters to prevent access to images, not text
E. (Evidence) Inappropriate sites are created too rapidly for filters to be effective
IV. Objection: The Supreme Court ruled that current law is constitutional
A. (Refutation) The ruling was a majority opinion, not unanimous
B. (Refutation) Technology has improved considerably since the original law was passed

The tabs entered don't seem to want to hold from creation point to posting. Oh well...have to move on.

D#9,HW#3 WP2 Reflection

First, I spent the entire weekend completing this writing project. I went back through each source chosen for my draft, and evaluated them for their ultimate value to my research. Some of them I decided to eliminate from the final WP#2, mainly because other sources had the same information. The ones I used in the final represented all of the points of view relevant to my topic. I also modified each annotation to include all of the required information, trying to get close to the 150 words that Devon asked for. Going through this process really made me think about my thesis, and I began to recognize things that I could use as claims and warrants. Now I can organize the sources and information they contain into a coherent outline.
One thing I tried to improve in the writing project was my ability to format citations correctly. The web sites and Bedford Researcher were more helpful to me than the MLA Handbook. If I had not had to do MLA format in previous writing assignments, I would have been in real trouble. I didn't anticipate the "self-instruction" required for this class, but so far I am managing. Thank goodness for the peer review on the writing projects.