DISCUSSION POST (RESEARCH TOPIC IS SOCIAL PSYCOLOGY)

Your response to this discussion is due by this week Friday at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST).

You are also asked to respond to at least one other student in the class on his or her response.

Your response to your fellow student is due by this week Sunday at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST).

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Hi, students!

Your first writing assignment will be a Critical Annotated Bibliography, which will require you to locate five (5) scholarly sources and analyze them. You will choose a research topic to focus on for your papers this semester. This discussion will help you get started.

Here’s what you’ll need to do:

Respond to this discussion topic by answering the following questions:

AI Tools to Explore:

Please note that you will not be able to see other students’ responses to this discussion topic until you post your response.

1. Watch the video, “How to Read and Comprehend Scientific Research Articles.” This video, located in the Learning Resources Section of the Content for this week, shows you how to break down a scholarly article for better understanding.

• Note: There are various types of research articles, and you can learn more about identifying different types by visiting the links “Identify Scholarly Articles” and “Different Types of Scholarly Sources” in Week 1 Content/Learning Resources.

1. Review the “Template for Taking Notes on Research Articles”: This template will guide you in capturing key details and insights from your readings.
2. Read “Searching Basics” from the UMGC Library: This guide will help you begin your research.
3. Explore AI-powered tools: This semester, you are encouraged to use AI tools like Microsoft Copilot, which can assist in formatting documents, and organizing research. Additionally, you can explore other AI tools like Elicit.org, which helps search and summarize academic papers, and Scholarcy, which breaks down complex articles into structured summaries. These tools can enhance your comprehension and research efficiency.
4. Make it clear that you used AI and explain how you used it: When using AI tools, it’s important to be transparent about their use. This practice promotes academic integrity and helps others understand the role of AI in your work.
5. What research topic will you focus on for this semester? Why? (Answer in one or two sentences.)
6. What is the most important step to take when reading research articles? What do you think, and what do the materials suggest? (Answer in one or two sentences.)
7. After reviewing the “Searching Basics,” find one (1) article on your chosen research topic that reviews and provides the findings of a research study. You can use AI tools like Microsoft Copilot or Elicit.org to help locate relevant articles and summarize the findings efficiently. In your response, include:

• The author(s) and title of the article.
• A brief (one or two-sentence) description of the research study and its findings.

1. How might AI tools impact your research process? Reflect critically on the use of AI for academic research. In your opinion, what are the potential benefits and limitations of relying on AI to assist with reading, summarizing, or locating scholarly sources? For more insights on critical thinking in the age of AI, you can read the article (Answer in one or two sentences.)
2. Respond to a classmate’s chosen topic: Reflect on one of your classmates chosen topics and share your thoughts in one or two sentences.

• Microsoft Copilot: This AI tool integrates with Microsoft Office apps (Word, Excel, etc.) to assist with document creation, organization, and summarization, making your research process smoother and more productive.
• Elicit.org: Helps you search for scholarly articles and provides answers to specific research questions with efficient summaries.
• Scholarcy: Breaks down research articles into easy-to-read summaries, highlighting key points.