Module 3: Engaging in Inquiry and Research Best Practices

Step 1- Observing my discourse community.

First for the source I picked I had to make sure it was a primary source. I settled on observing
the website source of the Council for Foreign relations since they had factual and statistical
information on global conflicts. The Council of Foreign Relations created an easy to reach site
which is straight off the Logo on the Global Conflicts Tracker website. The logo is located on the
top left-hand corner of the tracker website and with just a click their main conflicts website
opens in a new window. On the main site a conflict that catches my eye is the headlines of Can
Catalina split from Spain?. Under the main article there are subtopics about Catalonia from
sources like CNN and the New York Times. Beside them has a page update of the latest
Hurricane Maria damages in Puerto Rico and what the island can do to restore its land. Author
names of the primary sources are located right under the title. The website includes different
subjects that the council focuses own for example; North Korea; Economics; Kurds; and United
Nations. In the middle of the website there is information on the experts behind the information
being written about the different disasters and conflicts around the world. It is important to make
sure that primary resources are accurate so that the research is reliable and credible. Therefore,
sometimes to better evaluate and understand the importance of primary sources you need to be
able to observe the information given critically. Being curious and asking rhetorical questions is
the basis of conducting research.

Step 2: Read the resources at the library at the OWL at Purdues on MLA format and citations.
Explain how and why following citation format is integral to ethos when doing research and
writing research papers.
MLA format helps us have a consistent format for writing. This also allows writers to
avoid plagiarizing. It is important to utilize MLA Format for your research paper due to the
Ethos so directly related to the Logos of the rhetorical triangle. Establishing logic credibility is
just as important in making sure you are being unbiased and fair in your judgements of sources.
In academics itself we strive to pursue the acknowledgement knowledge and the further
advancement of logic. Establishing ethos is important so the product of your writing contains
correct grammar and syntax for the paper. To create a believable atmosphere your audience
needs to be able to believe the ideals and information you provide them. Credibility in ethos is
also important to help build an argument or persuade individuals to get involved with the topic.
One specific thing that the step of ethos helps you avoid is to not bring up logical fallacies into
your writing. Using MLA format makes it easier for the audience of your discourse to navigate
the information given with the provided cues from borrowed information. Through the citations
the audience can pick out certain sources which interest them and if they want to learn more
about it they can follow the information. They can also cross-reference sources to their liking as
well. Even though ethos is important it is not good to forget to balance between the three
rhetorical triangle topics. Ethos, Pathos, and Logos are equally important and should be
balanced. Fun fact the MLA format has been around for more than fifty years to create a concrete
format for both writers and readers. (www.bestcustomwriting.com/blog/writing-in-general/the-
importance-of-using-apa-and-mla-formats)

Step 3: Make a list of 10 Best Practices for performing research.

1. Create a nice working atmosphere so you can concentrate on research. (Library,
bookstore, Used book library, computer desk)
2. Focus on a topic you want to pursue.
3. Make a list of certain interesting academia websites or databases geared towards your
discourse. (Keywords list)
4. Use Boolean Operators to better understand which keywords have more impact to your
searches.
5. Start researching on those listed websites and observe the information and community.
6. Evaluate critically if each source you have found is credible and or reliable. (Use
websites like https://lib2.colostate.edu/howto/evalweb.html)
7. Repeat number 5 for any other important sources used in your paper.
8. Make sure you have different angles or sides of the topic from different point of views.
9. Cite everything in MLA format 8th edition.
(https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resources/747/08/)
10. Create an annotated biography and work cited for your research.