Assignment #17: Intellectual Property

a.      My definition of “intellectual property”? : Works created from a person’s original thought/creative process that they bring to life for others.

b.      What is an expert’s definition of “intellectual property”?: According to the Office of Intellectual Property in the UK, “Intellectual Property (IP) results from the expression of an idea. So IP might be a brand, an invention, a design, a song or another intellectual creation. IP can be owned, bought and sold.” http://www.ipo.gov.uk/

c.       Examples of “intellectual property” from academic or everyday life include:

Publications of an author’s novel, a musician’s music they created or an artist’s painting are all examples of intellectual property.  Even a professors lecture is not allowed to be copied a.k.a. record because it is their intellectual property they are teaching but the notes you interoperate from what you hear is your intellectual property. Other student’s papers for classes are their intellectual property. 

d.     How does the concept of “intellectual property” change when it can be manipulated or changed?

If another student copies another student’s property or an author’s works there are serious consequences even if a few words are changed or switched around, that is still not your analysis or creation.  For assignment 22, we are writing on original research verses library research which correlates with intellectual property.  My research project on Maximum security prisons is my intellectual project but not original research. I analyzed data and information from sources in the library or other places like Creative Commons in order to create my own understanding and analysis of my topic and presentation.  I give credit and refer to all sources I analyze thus; I am respecting the original research of the creator’s intellectual property. 

Assignment 12: Legitimacy of Blogs

Similar to any online magazine or newspaper article, I think it all depends on a persons personal judgment on the blog and what the text offers the reader.  If the blog offers only opinion based information with no credentials or references to support the claims than no that blog is probably not legitimate.  I have seen blog pages consisting only of personal thoughts or life experiences, like a diary, and I have read blog posts that are a link on a news page and have no opinion but a further explored or update on a topic in the news. 

The blog that I chose was from the Huffington Post in the United Kingdoms.  I would consider this blog a legitimate new source because just at first glance the author offers a link to his credentials and full biography.  Through out the article he offers links to campaigns and letters he discusses for his readers to further their knowledge on the subjects he touches on.  He also lists references for the audience to refer to.  If the blog offers a professional, nonbiased along with credited “article” then I would label it as a scholarly or news worthy blog source. There are many that lack to meet these standards and that is why I think people have to decide for themselves where to draw the line between legitimacy of a blog post.

Tatchell, P. (2012). Catholic archbishops have mislead people on gay marriage. Retrieved 3/2012, 2012, from http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/peter-tatchell/gay-marriage-catholic-archbishops-have-mislead-people_b_1343156.html

Assignment 10: Research Reflection

1. What “LGBT population” do you think you should learn more about over the course of this semester?  Why?

The topic I have chosen to learn with in the LGBT this semester is same-sex marriage movement in England.  I am interested to learn more on this topic because I have learned so much on the local status of same-sex marriage here in the states and feel uninformed on the global aspect on the worldwide movement.

2. What do you assume to be true about this population?

Being home to some of the strongest Catholic influences, England, I would think would have very strong viewpoints falling either fully for or against the legalization of same-sex marriage.  I am aware that some parts of Europe have already passed laws legalizing marriage rights but am not sure on any specifics about the campaigns in action by the Catholic Church in England against legalization.

3. Where did you learn this from?

My parent’s are active in keeping up to date on news about the Catholic Church’s and the views on same-sex marriage.  I hear tons of information on the topic from the latest Fox News, CNN or EWTN (Global Catholic Network) coverage; though, I hear the endless opinions from my parent’s I feel like a pro at filtering fact from bias and that explains why the “what do you assume to be true about this population” is so short.  I am aware of how much information I hear I assume to be far from factual.  College students seem to be extremely uninformed so, I hope to change that so I can build up knowledge to shape my opinions.

4. What do you think will be the most difficult challenge that you will have in doing research on the population or issue that you have selected?

This topic is a very large.  I think it will be difficult to narrow my topic down to just one focus point out of the many.  I think the alternative and international news sources will be the easiest to find but for the mainstream I think I have some challenges due to the bias on the topic. Who knows though what I’ll find out!

Assignment 7: Getting ready to use Academic Search Premier

My impression of the Academic Search Premier is similar to the other advanced search engines.  I have used this site in other classes for specifically English research papers.  We basically used any search engines that were linked to the library website for SCSU.  My fears for using this site is that it will give me to much of the same sources as my other researching. 

My Population

I correct when claiming that the majority of inmantes sent to maximum security prisions are  those who commited violent crimes.  Though I learned that many are both people who have a record of violence or had repeated crimes. Though, I learned that not only does that determine if a person is sentanced to a maximum security but not only have a background check on them and a persons criminal history but also, psychological and educational testing is done on some.  Based off of this, each future inmante is classified and based off their classification the location they will serve their sentence is determined.

From this, I have thought of more questions to ask on my topic. I am curious the impact of placing the most violent criminals in the same prison impacts the violence inside the prison with inmates and staff? Also, how is gender seperated within these prisons?

I have found information on violence in Prisons specifically gangs, a lot of information on the history and build up of these institutuons, those on death row in maximum security, and information on the services that are offered to ensure health for the inmates in these maximum security prisons.

Wikipedia Vs. Encyclopedia

Pros to Wikipedia

A) Information ranges to almost any topic.

B) Great starting point when researching a subject.

C) Offers the layout of a topic- a rough run down on anything.

Pros to Encyclopedia

A) Credible and detailed information on a particular topic.

B) The Encyclopedias are constantly being updated to get the most up todate information.

Cons to Wikipedia

A) Anyone can post to on the website. This will leave you always questioning the information you read,

Cons to Encyclopedia

A) Doesn’t always consist of every aspect on a topic.  There could be certain aspects to the topic left out.

B) Could be out of date, more information that has been learned since the Encyclopedia was published.

I went to the school website and searched under Encyclopedia’s.  There were 4 encyclopedia’s listed in my search on under “Prisons in the U.S. Encyclopedia”. I was able to find all four of the Encyclopedia’s on the shelves.  I chose “Prisons” by Jeffrey Ferro.  I was unable to find any E-encyclopedia ‘s on my topic but I will attemt to dig deeper. The information I found on wikipedia seemed to more lightly mirror almost evey topic in the Encyclopedia; touching on topic overviews, improtant chronology of important points in history that focus on prisions and both are filled with many termanology pages on the topic.  The “Prisions” encyclopedia I feel would be more beneficial because there is more detail involved through out the context.

As#3 Starting My Researching

My topic is Maximum security prisons and the most common type of criminal that live there as well as why this type of prison is necessary for these people.  I will be looking into the histoy/background on these level 5 security facilities and what made it what it is today.

When I went to the Library link on the SCSU website and clicked the advance search, I struggled to find any books related to my topic. I was typing “Maximim security prisons in MN”. To narrowed of a search. Eventually I tried, Minnesota AND Correctional Facilities Or Jail AND Inmates.  Also, MN AND Still Water AND Prison. Using these word, I started finding the books I needed and much more.

Most Ebooks I came across on my topic were governmental documents ranging from reports on inmate deaths that give a detailed explaination of  the person, what occurred and so on. Also, Ebooks on governtment documents on regulations and financial reports. Once I shape my topic better I’ll decided if I will use any of these resources but some were very interesting so I wouldn’t mind using them in my reaseach. It’s a little difficult for me to read a book on the computer rather than on paper.  I like being more hands on by being able to flip through pages instead of scrolling. It feel more organized to have it open infront of me; though, it probably just takes some getting used to. When I searched on the OPAC site, I clicked on the advanced search link. For my search string I filled out: Minnesota AND Correctional Facilities Or Jail AND Inmates. I found many book dealing with the criminal justice aspect and some personal biographies. The difference between the Miller Library and OPAC is the location of the Miller is close.  I was in the Miller library when searching, so, I only had to go down a few flights of stairs to find my book.  If I don’t have anymore luck with the Miller I would go to the OPAC.