HOW TO RESEARCH AND WRITETHE MAGAZINE/NEWSPAPER SURVEY REPORT

Assignment:

Research/survey a topic related to the course and  write a short analysis discussing the importance, different dimensions, development, and implications of a particular issue/question using only magazine and newspaper articles. 

One of the main objectives of this assignment is to investigate how a particular issue is treated by different magazine/journals

You are supposed to use major magazines or journals only. You can use major alternate news sources too.

• Read the objectives of the course and lecture topics.
• Think about  and familiarize yourself  with the issues and topics discussed in the course.
• Pick a topic that you are interested in and do some preliminary research to explore the availability of sources.

Time Frame: Jan 1st, 2013 to March 1st, 2014. 

Due date: Due in class on March 24, 2014.  Electronic submissions are not acceptable.

Page limit and format: 5-6 pages, double space, standard fonts and margins. 

Requirements: 

-You must use at least 5 different  news sources. Examples of major news sources are: Toronto Star, Globe and Mail, Nationa Post, Maclean's magazine, Canadian Dimension, Vancouver Sun, etc. Consult with the instructor if you're not sure if your source is good.
- Your reserach must be done within the Canadian context.
- Clippings must be attached to the report.  

 Instructions & structures:        

A survey report is a formal piece of writing based on research. Good survey analysis is always anchored in a clear “research question.” The term “research question” is simply a:

handy way to refer to your touchstone: the question of “what do I really want to know?” To keep your analysis organized, you should create an analysis plan that links research questions to survey questions.

Analyzing the argument gets to the heart of a critical approach to your sources. While this task may seem daunting at first, here are some tips and techniques you can learn to make it a lot easier.

• How important, reliable, … is the magazine or the newspaper?
• Is the article and information in it closely related to your research topic?  Is the article old or new?
• Is the information supported by evidence? Take a good look at the facts presented in the articles. Check the authors credentials. Does the author represent any interest groups? Is the author biased? What kinds of sources did the author use? Are they reliable?
• What is the major claim or thesis of the article? Is it clear what the author is trying to prove?
• Read between and behind the lines. Where does the article appear – in the front page, in a particular context... ?
• What are the primary assumptions on which the author bases the argument’s main claim? Do you agree with those assumptions? Is the author taking too much liberty in making those assumptions?

 Structure:

 Introduction

• State the purpose/aim of the report, when and how the information was gathered.
• State the research question
• State your thesis

 Main Body

• All the information collected and analyzed is presented clearly and in detail (break down the articles  into categories  according to issues, policies, responses, etc.

 Conclusion

• Sum up the points mentioned above. If necessary a recommendation can be included as well (one way of summing up is making some general comments).

 Bibliography

• All the sources used in your report must be properly cited and referenced.