Instructions: Read all instructions and background information before you begin. You must complete all tasks on the list correctly to earn full credit. Errors and incomplete or inaccurate information will be penalized.
1. Read the Module page on FSCJ databases and watch the YouTube video on databases before you begin. Read this handout on reading social science journal articles (Links to an external site.). Read this article on how to read scientific articles (from an engineering perspective). (Links to an external site.)
2. You must work independently on this assignment, and you should not share answers. Create a correctly formatted title page for the assignment which will precede the answers you provide for the prompts and questions below.
3. Use the Search feature on the library’s database list Databases–What are they and how do I use them? to identify two (2) databases that may focus on topics of relevance to Human Services. Write out the names of both databases.
4. Select one of the databases and find one peer-reviewed, longitudinal study on smoking published in the last five years. Be sure to use the keywords “longitudinal study” and “smoking” in your search. Download a copy of the article to your computer.
5. Access the other database and find a different article, also a longitudinal study on smoking published in the last five years. Download a copy of the article to your computer.
6. Create a correctly formatted APA-style reference for each of the articles you found. This includes proper spacing and hanging indents for both entries.
7. Below each reference, provide the following information (in complete, grammatically correct sentences). You may use bullet points to keep track of the information you need to provide.
A. Who is the first author listed on the first page of the article and what are his/her credentials and expertise in this area of study? You might have to Google the name to get more information.
B. What is the thesis statement of the article/What research question is the author trying to answer?
C. How does the content of this article compare or contrast with the other article you found? Be specific and use examples. [Remember–look at the abstract and discussion first].
D. List the name of the database in which you found the article.
E. Write down at least one thing about this assignment that was difficult, unfamiliar, or that you did not understand.
F. Write down at least one thing that you learned that you did not know before and show how it relates to the material in your book.
8. Take a screenshot or print out the first page of each article and upload them with your completed assignment.
Review: upload your completed MS Word file with a title page, answers for the prompts above, and ensure that you have answered all prompts before submitting.
