Assessing Assessments

My research paper still requires a book resource for evidence.

I do not believe I have assessed my resources effectively. I need to discuss more about why they are an authoritative source or not.

Resources Reflections

1) How did you find your resources?
Using key terms I searched on:
Google
Nytimes

2)How has research altered your original idea?
Research has caused me alter my idea due to the difficulty caused by the lack of information.

Research Topic

I've decided to change my research topic

from:
Facebook is a great social networking tool does it provide hackers or thiefs with a database for your information?

to:
Young adults looking to date utilize Facebook instead of online dating websites as a tool for learning about and communicating with each other.

to:
College Students who utilize Facebook as a tool for dating reduce their privacy by providing sexual predators with a database of their personal information.

Blog Assessment

This blog compares Facebook to other dating services. The blog's main page is updated with discussions on various news articles and the posting is very informal. The blog is helpful because the author is a Facebook user who outlines the features of the website. He discusses Facebook's role and importance to dating.

http://www.imperishableinheritance.com/2005/facebook-and-dating/

Personal Interview Assessment

I chose to interview Al because he is legit and uses Facebook.

Me: Hey, I was wondering if you have ever used an online service?
Al: Yes, Persian Wife Finder is legit.

Me: Haha, do you have a Facebook account?
Al: Yes, I do.

Me: Do you ever add girls because you think they are hot?
Al: Totally, only if they're smoking.

Me: Have you used Facebook's poke feature?
Al: No, sounds like its for getting attention or something.

Me: Have you ever met with a girl because you talked to her on Facebook.
Al: Definitely, back in the days AIM had that on lock.

Me: Have you ever added your girlfriend as a friend on Facebook or changed your relationship status?
Al: Yes.

Me: Fantastic, thank you.
Al: Word, peace.

This interview should be useful because it demonstrates the fact that people in various relationships use Facebook as a tool to communicate with each other. My interviewee was helpful because it confirmed and demonstrated my thesis.

Newspaper Article Assessment

This newspaper article discusses a new Facebook application for an online dating service entitled Are You Interested. Instead of discussing what goes on in the real world outside Facebook; users are informing each other on the the social networking website about applications such as Are You Interested. The article details this new application and how it competes with rival dating websites. The newspaper article has accurate information and cites where it received its numeric data. The article clearly demonstrates how powerful Facebook is and how it competes with unrelated websites. The newspaper article is authoritative because it demonstrates its facts with evidence.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/20/business/businessspecial2/20date.html?_r=1

Journal Article Assessment

This article was published in a journal entitled "Computers in Human Behavior" by a group of professionals working in the Department of Sociology at Temple University. It describes how Facebook causes people to act in a personal online environment. This article demonstrates that people mold their online identity to fit relationships with others. This article was written by experienced professionals who clearly did proper research and examination before it was published. The journal that this article was published in is only to be used for educational purposes. The article references many various sources and cites all of them.

http://astro.temple.edu/~bzhao001/Identity%20Construction%20on%20Facebook.pdf

Magazine Article Assessment

This article comes from a column entitled Office Hours with Dr. Jim from Online Dating Magazine. It outlines the pros and cons of social networking websites compared with online dating services. The article was written by James Houran who has a Ph.D. in psychology and claims to be an expert in relationship compatibility. He discusses much about online dating but writes almost nothing about trying to meet people in real life. The article clearly demonstrates my thesis.

http://www.onlinedatingmagazine.com/datingoffice09/socialnetworkingonlinedatingsites.html

Bio of author
http://www.onlinedatingmagazine.com/about/drjimhouran.html

Book Assessment

This article discusses how telemarketing is an invasion of domestic life. This shows how people invade your privacy over the phone and this directly relates to the social networking tool Facebook and how others invade your privacy through the internet.

Mauk & Metz Inventing Arguments Pg. 260 Don’t Call

Research Questions

Facebook is a great social networking tool does it provide hackers or thiefs with a database for your information?

The importance of your privacy and security.

How easy is it to access your personal information or data.

Loopholes in the website reducing your security.

How easy is it to get your password.

How easy is it to control someones identity.

Social Networking and Privacy

Thesis statement: Social networking websites promote identity theft and make it easier to access our private information.

Sources that might be helpful in this proving this point:
News article
Library
Personal story or blog

Facebook Wikipedia Assessment

The Facebook Wikipedia article is very accurate and informative.

It details Facebook and its history and role as a social networking tool.

It clearly shows how much money is invested into Facebook and its value to the current generation.

The discussion page for the article has debates over various issues.It demonstrates the website's problems and people's responses to them.

Assessment of Social Networking Services

Facebook is an online social networking service originally oriented towards college students. Now accessed by users of any age it brings all kinds of people together.

Users are able to join networks organized into groups by region, interests, or education. You are able to exchange media or information with your friends by posting on each others wall or main page. You are constantly updated and informed of everything your friends do on Facebook.

It is used by all different varieties of people looking to meet new people, stay in contact with friends, waste time on the internet, or exchange information.

Facebook brings forward the web 2.0 movement or the next generation of website development on the internet.

It is useful because it allows individuals with an account access to a great wealth of information. However, the information presented may not be useful to everyone.
It is up to an individual to determine what constitutes private information. The information presented on a user’s page is viewable to only those with a Facebook account. If your page is set to private then only your friends can view it. Private information about a user may not be apparent unless the user directly posts personal information on their page themselves.

Assessing Technology Articles

"Text Me All about Yourself: The Rise of Mobile Networking"

The article seems to poke fun at those who text or twitter to stay constantly updated with useless information.

I enjoyed how the article discusses recent web 2.0 developments such as the website twitter.

Biz Stone, the co-founder of Twitter discusses “The day-today advantage is the ability to stay connected with friends and family members any time using a variety of devices.”

Charles Klein, a web designer enjoys Twitter because it is quick and to the point.

These new forms of technology allow us to be contacted by just about anyone at anytime.