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ICSP Web-Research Paper
ICSP are running a web-research paper competition
for students.
Student assignments based on the exercise can
be submitted to icsp@sheffield.ac.uk
for review. Accepted papers will be published
on the website and authors will also receive a book token to the value
of £25.00.
Task:
Using only on-line resources, develop a critical
evaluation of one aspect of international and/or comparative social
policy. Summarise the strengths and limitations of the electronic resources
available relating to your chosen topic.
(3,000 words)
Aim:
This exercise can be used and adapted to meet
specific subject content learning outcomes at all levels of undergraduate
and postgraduate study. It develops skills in the use and appreciation
of web-based resources as well as the more traditional information management
and critical analysis skills required by essay based assessment.
Suggestions for completing the assignment
Topic:
In identifying a topic of interest, consider the breadth and depth of
information likely to be available: Is the topic too specific? does
the topic have international or transnational relevance? Is it likely
that official data will be available to inform your writing? If the
answer to any of these questions is no then a rethink will be necessary.
If the answer is “yes” then proceed!
Resources:
Identify on-line resources. These are available in a range of formats:
documents (on-line books, reports, articles, etc.); statistical data
(on-line statistical databases such as those provided by national governments
and international governmental organisations); and digital materials
(videos, images, audio material, etc.)
Organise your electronic resources. You will need
to file and/or store materials and/or reference details. In order to
properly cite the sources used, you will need to ensure that, as far
as possible, you can identify and list the following:
- Author/s (this may be an organisation)
- Title of the source
- Complete url of the page from which the information is taken
- Date on which you accessed the material
Refer to the guidelines produced by your library
or learning resources team.
Writing:
Writing this assignment is much like composing a traditional essay.
There are, however, some important issues to bear in mind in your discussion
and conclusions:
- Resources - What resources have been utilised?
- Data - What types of data have been used and how are they presented?
(tables, graphs, charts or images etc.)
- Conclusions - You should reflect on the methodological issues involved
in writing a paper based on on-line resources.
Advice on the use of on-line resources:
In order to develop an appreciation of the relative quality of web-based
resources and information, it would be helpful to begin by reading the
following:
Ashford, M. and Young, P. (2003). The Internet
and Web-Based Sources, pp443-50, in P. Alcock, A. Erskine and M.
May, The Students Companion to Social Policy, Blackwell.
Sharma, A. and Woodward, R. (2001). Political Economy
Websites: A Researchers Guide, New Political Economy, Vol.
6 No.1, pp119-30.
The ICSP website also provides a good place to begin
your web search; for example, have a look through the Resources
and Links sections.
Copyright © 2003-2009 ICSP
Group
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