Week 2 – Assignment

Generating Keywords

As mentioned previously, at the end of this course, you will create an annotated bibliography on a topic within your major field of study. This week, you will begin to explore how to generate keywords to use as you search for sources for your research question. Review the GEN103 Ashford University Library: Keywords are Critical and reflect on the videos listed in both the “Using the Ashford University Library” discussion instructions and the “Scholarly Versus Popular Sources” discussion forum. A full list of the tutorials you need to view this week can be located in the Weekly Overview and on the Course Materials page. Once you have established your keywords you will use them to locate scholarly articles in the library that may contribute to your “Annotated Bibliography” Final Paper in Week Five. Watch the video below to help you understand the process.

Now that you have been introduced to the Ashford University Library, and have an idea how to come up with keywords to conduct searches in the databases, it is time to practice! Your research topic and question should be established, so now is the perfect time to begin brainstorming your list of keywords and searching for articles in the Ashford University Library. As you have learned by watching this week’s tutorials, it is important to pull keywords from your research question and also generate a list of synonyms.

Use the Generating Search Terms Worksheet to complete the assignment. Save this document to your computer in an easy to find location. Complete the worksheet as directed, saving your progress as you go.

View the Generating Search Terms Worksheet (Example) to guide you as you complete this assignment.

Once you have completed the Generating Search Terms Worksheet, submit this assignment through the online classroom Assignment Submission button below. Be sure that you have included all of the necessary information in the worksheet.

In this class, you have three   tutoring services available: Paper Review, Live Chat, and Tutor E-mail.   Click on the Ashford Writing Center (AWC) tab in the left-navigation menu to   learn more about these tutoring options and how to get help with your   writing. 

Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.