Research Writing Blog

I got the idea to research the general topic of social networking sites and employers from older friends who are getting ready to graduate. After hearing them talk about what they’ve heard about the issue and what they were going to do, it sounded like something i actually wanted to learn more about. After looking through several articles and consulting with the teacher and other students, i was able to narrow down my research question to “How can social networking sites on the internet negatively effect college students’ lives after college?”. Once I had my question, there were several assignments that helped me to develop my topic into a 9 page paper. One assignment that i thought was very helpful was the blog Topic development 1-5b , becuase after that i had pretty much narrowed it down to the most important and relevant ideas that i wanted to talk about in my paper. It was important to find at least one example of a scholarly source to incorporate into the paper, and assignment 4-5 Relevant Sources Research Paper really helped with that. I also found the assignment Research Proposal to be very helpful too, because it did even more refining of information and ideas that weren’t quite there yet. I also liked that we were required to include an overview of each of the sources becuase it helped me to remember what each of them were, and it was faster and easier to find them when needed. Lastly, i thought that the Research Outline blog post was helpful in actually writing my paper once i had all my ideas becuase i just followed it like a guide and didn’t get lost or confused. I think my final essay shows a lot about my writing. I think that my best ability as a writer is transitioning paragraphs. I think that in this paper my paragraphs and ideas flow and connect from one to the next, making it easier to follow and understand. I think that it’s important for college students to be aware of the employers use of the internet and social networking sites, and i think i found a lot of good research and came up with good explinations to prove my point. However, I am not against using these sites all together, and i think that i’ve explained that too, especially in my conclusion. I ended up incorporating a lot of sources into my final draft, and i feel i did an ok job with most of them. The one source i did have difficulty with was a big one which the instructor recommended i summarize about half of it, and keep the other half the direct quote. I had a little difficulty with the works cited page, but i think after some help i got it almost right. Overall, i feel that i made all of the necessary changes recommended by the instructor and that i changed and improved my paper a good bit. I also think that i learned a lot of valuable information about research paper and sourcing. I would give my final draft about and 8.5 or a 9, i am pretty happy with how it turned out.

I’m really glad that I chose to take this english 202 class and that we used computers and the internet so much. I’m not very good with technology, and at first I was a little lost, but as the semester went on and I used this technology more and more, I learned so much about it and it became much easier. Before, i had never used a blog, communicated with a group on a wiki, or had to rely so much on electronic sources, but now i can successfully do all of that. All of these skills i learned were very important and will be necessary in the rest of my time in college and in my future profession of being a teacher. I found that posting blogs and being able to comment and recieve comments on my posts were very helpful in constructing my research paper, becuase it was much easier and faster than doing it with a paper and pen. The wiki was also very helpful and convenient when doing our group work becuase you could do it whenever and wherever was convenient for you; you didn’t have to worry about getting your whole group together to complete the assignment. The web site was also very helpful in this course becuase it made it easier to be organized and know what was going on. Especially since tehcnology is on the rise, I would highly recommend this course to other students at IUP. I think other students would find this class very interesting, and it would teach them even more about types of technology that could be really useful to them, and make their lives much easier.

I feel that I have done a lot of work and a lot of revising since my first draft of my paper. The first changes I made to it was paragraph transitions in the draft with transition revisions This was done before i even got my first draft back with comments. Once i recieved my first draft back with comments, i came up with a revision plan. These were the main things that i thought of (at the time) that i wanted to change on my paper. As I made those revisions i started seeing more and more that i thought needed changed. I ended up cutting out a whole paragraph which wasn’t that important and mentioning it within another related paragraph. I also ended up finding more sources during my revision, and incoroprated them into the final draft and works cited list. The main thing after that i did to help myself was to just put the paper away for a day, or a few hours, and then read it again, and i would catch a mistake or two that i skipped over the first time. I also found that the confrence was very helpful, becuase i’d almost completely revised my paper and the instructor was able to point out some things that still needed work. I think the part of my paper that improved the most was my introduction paragraph. I really like my introduction paragraph becuase I think it’s interesting, it states and important fact that is important throughout the whole paper, and i think it clearly states my research question and people would be able to understand it. The best change that i made to it was adding the sentence before the quote, instead of starting with the quote; it fits really well and makes it sound even better and more interesting i think.

When i finally came up with my research question, “How can social networking sites affect the lives of college students after graduation?”, I had a lot of questions, sources, and ideas running through my head. I think the assignment that most helped me with my topic and writing my essay was the Research Proposal assignment. There was a specific example that was given to follow, which helped me organize all of my information in a way that I knew was correct, and would be useful to me, becuase it was given by the instructor. It helped me because i was able to write out my ideas for what i was thinking and wanted to do with the paper, my ideas for what i wanted to say and do in my introduction, and list sources (which i would actually use in my final draft), and write the key points of those sources. Not only did this assignment help me learn more about my topic and find the information that was relevent and i would need to use, but it helped me write my paper becuase i could just look at it and refresh myself of ideas i may have forgotten.

1. I plan to take a look at the tone in which i am writing and modify some parts of my paper
2. I plan to look for more specific examples
3. I want to develop my paragraphs on employers use and legal issues more
4. I also want to maybe add more to other paragraphs explaining what i think a little bit better

This survey is to be given out over facebook.

1. Is your facebook profile set to private?

2. How much personal information do you share? Alot, Some, Little, or None

3.Do you feel any of the pictures, comments, personal information, etc., on your facebook profile could be considered “inappropriate”, or something you wouldn’t want your mother to see?

4. Do you plan on deleting your profile after college?

5. Are you a part of any other social networking sites? If yes, list which ones

6. Are you aware that companies are using these social networking sites to perform background checks on prospective employees?

For my primary source i think it would be best to interview someone.
The person that I would like to try to interview is the person who actually gave me this idea.
A woman from the international headquarters of my sorority told us about employers getting onto facebook and all that. I’d like to ask her where she got that information, and if maybe they use that kind of background checking for their hiring. I would like to see what/if any information she has first, and then base the questions of my interview on that.
specific questions i have that i would like to ask:
-Does your company use social networking sites to perform background checks on applicants?
if yes
-Do you do this for every applicant?
-What types of things are they looking for?
-What types of things could make the applicant not elligable?
-Are there any good things that you look for on these sites?

I was also thinking about doing a survey of some college students to see if they are worried about this, and if so what they do/might think about doing to protect themselves.
specific questions i have are
-are you aware employers are using social networking sites to perform background checks on job applicants?
-Does this worry you?
-Will you do anyhting differently to better protect yourself?

Heather Harvey
ENGL 202 11:15, FALL 2007

“Social Networking; Affecting Your Future”

Thesis Statement: Social networking sites can have a negative effect on the lives of college students after graduation.

1. Employers go onto social networking sites.
A. Employers use social networking sites to do background checks before hiring prospective employees who are right out of college.
B. Employers use social networking sites/ search engines to keep track of new employees and determine whether or not they stay.
a. Employers use social networking sites/ search engines to verify publications, or see how active they’ve been in their field.
C. More than 1/4th, about 27%, of employers reported to have googled or reviewed job applicant profiles on social networking sites, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
a. Only about 7% said it was standard practice, or that they do it on a regular basis for all/most candidates, according to the same survey.
b. An increasing amount of employers are accessing social networking sites and using them to determine who they hire.
D. Many companies recruiting college seniors looking for their first job have conducted background checks using search engines like google or yahoo, but now, they’ve moved more towards social networking sites like Xanga, Facebook, Myspace, or Friendster because college students often post more risqué information.
a. These sites can make applicants look unprofessional to administrators at graduate schools or future employers.
E. Many companies involved in the digital world (ex: Microsoft) said that researching through these social networking sites was fairly typical.
2. How are employers accessing information that isn’t meant for them to see?
A. They can gain access to private sites by having recent graduates keep their college email addresses, allowing them to see pages only available to those with .edu email addresses.
B. Sometimes companies even have college students work for them, logging on and performing background checks with their email addresses and profiles.
C. Employees or prospective employees may be social networking “friends” with those affiliated with the company, giving them full access to their information.
3. Is it legal for employers to get on these sites and perform these types of background checks?
A. A research study on this topic was conducted to examine the possible infringements of fourth amendment rights (The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.)
a. The study found that the secondary uses of personal data, other than what they were intended for, is rising, and having an impact on the personal privacy of people.
b. This study concluded that the fourth amendment only protects US citizens from the illegal search and seizure by the government. It does not protect the personal data from a third party.
c. There are other current laws and rulings that don’t view personal information as belonging to the individual.

Social Networking; Affecting Your Future
Heather Harvey
ENGL 202 11:15, FALL 2007

1. Abstract:
The topic I chose to research and write about is social networking sites. I narrowed it down by specifically looking at the effect these types of sites can have on peoples’ lives. I was able to narrow that down even more by looking at how these sites specifically effect the lives of college students after graduation when they are trying to get real jobs. My finalized research question is: How can social networking sites on the internet negatively effect college students’ lives after college?
2. Introduction
The topic of my paper is social networking sites and the effect they have on the lives of college students after graduation. Some areas of this topic that I took a look at and researched were: employers looking at prospective employees’ facebook profiles when determining whether to hire them or not, how these employers are able to get in and access these accounts, other types of social networking sites, like myspace, and friendster.com can also be dangerous, is it legal for employers to access these sites and use them as part of a basis for hiring, and if you belong to one of these sites, what you can, and should do, to protect yourself. I chose this research question not just because I think it’s really interesting, but because it’s also very important to me as well. Being an elementary education major, there are many “do’s” and many “don’ts”. Education majors already have to pass clearances each year in order to stay in their major, and you also have to pass clearances when apply for a teaching job; I would not be surprised, especially as technology keeps improving, if administrators, don’t already, or eventually start following that trend as well.

4. Overview of Sources-

http://www.jobweb.com/resources/library/Parents/How_Will_Your_O_302_1.htm
“How Will Your Online Profile Affect Potential Job Offers”
• Certain State Agencies can access facebook accounts, thanks to the Patriot Act.
(Patriot Act-http://www.epic.org/privacy/terrorism/hr3162.html
http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/patriotact/)

• More than 1/4th, about 27 percent, of employers reported to have googled or reviewed job applicant profiles on social networking sites. (according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).)
• Only about 7% said it was standard practice, or that they do that on a regular basis for all/most candidates.
• Some employers say they google or check up to verify publications, or see how active they’ve been in their field..and they do this to previous employees.
• These sites do have safety warnings in the privacy settings
• Many students don’t understand that even if its only intended for your friends to see, more than likely, the rest of the world is able to see it too.
• Users need to take advantage of every access restriction available.
• Even if you, yourself, don’t post a photo, if someone else posts one with you in it, you could still come up in a search.
• The best thing to do is not post any information you wouldn’t want your parents to see or you wouldn’t want on the front page of the newspaper. That is the biggest safety tip they have.

Http://onlinesocialnetworks.blogspot.com/2007/09/dissertation-computer-technology.html
“Dissertation: Computer Technology, Digital Transactions, and Legal Discovery.”

• Research study examining possible infringements of Fourth Amendment rights on individuals.
• The study found that the secondary uses of personal data for purposes other than what they were intended is rising, and have an impact on individual privacy.
• The study was able to conclude that the fourth amendment only protects US citizens from illegal search and seizure by the government and doesn’t protect the personal data from a third party.
• Current laws and court rulings (the patriot act) don’t view personal information as belonging to the individual.

http://media.www.thehurricaneonline.com/media/storage/paper479/news/2007/10/04/News/College.com.Faces.Off.Against.Facebook.Myspace-3011062.shtml
“College.com faces off against facebook, Myspace.”

• New website, college.com only allows users with college email addresses.
• The site attracts about six new schools each week.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/06/20/eveningnews/main1734920.shtml
“Employers Look At Facebook, Too”

• An increasing amount of potential employers are accessing social networking profiles, and using them to decide who they hire.
• Even if photos on the internet don’t contain anything illegal, they are not attractive to employers. They make up their “online footprints”
• Party pictures or “Sexy” pictures may cost someone the job, despite their amazing resume they have spent years building.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/11/us/11recruit.html?_r=3&pagewanted=1&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
“For Some, Online Persona Undermines a Résumé”
• Even if you write something on your profile that you’re clearly exaggerating on, or that isn’t true, employers see them as having questionable judgment for ever posting things of that nature.
• Many companies recruiting college seniors looking for their first job have conducted background checks using search engines like google or yahoo, but now, they’ve moved more towards social networking sites like Xanga, Facebook, Myspace, or Friendster because college students often post more risqué information.
• These sites can make applicants look unprofessional to administrators at graduate schools or future employers.
• Companies can gain access to profiles you think are private in several ways. They can do it by having recent graduates keep their college email addresses, allowing them to see pages “only available to those with a .edu email address.” Sometimes, companies will even have college students work for them to perform these on line background checks.
• Many companies involved in the digital world (ex: Microsoft) said that researching through these social networking sites was fairly typical.

http://hubpages.com/hub/How_employers_look_at_Myspace_and_Facebook_pages
“How employers look at MySpace and Facebook pages”

• According to employment lawyer and blogger, George Lenard, social networking sites serve two main functions to employers:
o Identifying potential job candidates. Employers may use these social electronic databases to search for individuals with a certain level of education, work experience, personal interests, and/or anything else that might be a company asset.
o Background checking, where “disqualifying information” may be available, such as proof of illegal drug use or behavior the company would consider undesirable in an employee.

• It’s legal because on the internet you have a “lower expectation of privacy”.
• It’s not an invasion of privacy for an employer to view a wall post or photos online because you publicly posted it.
• In an interview with ZDNet some employees were fired for “reprehensible” facebook content.
• A company manager was a friend of the poster, and had complete access to all of their information.

5. Working Bibliography/MLA Format

1. Finder, Alan. “For Some, Online Persona Undermines a Résumé.” New York Times 11 Jun 2006. 11 Jun. 2006 < http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/11/us/11recruit.html?pagewanted=1&_r=4 >
(Finder)

2. Harangozo, Analisa. “College.com faces off against Facebook, MySpace.” The Miami Hurricane 4 Nov. 2007. 4 Nov. 2007 < http://media.www.thehurricaneonline.com/media/storage/paper479/news/2007/10/04/News/College.com.Faces.Off.Against.Facebook.Myspace-3011062.shtml >
(Harangozo)

3. HubPages 2007. HubPages Inc. < http://hubpages.com/hub/How_employers_look_at_Myspace_and_Facebook_pages >
(HubPages)

3. JobWeb Career Development and Job-Search Advice for new College Graduates. National Association of Colleges and Employers, Bethlehem, PA < http://www.jobweb.com/resources/library/Parents/How_Will_Your_O_302_1.htm >
(JobWeb)
4. Ponschock, Richard. “Friends:Social Networking Sites for Engaged Library Services.” Diss. Capella University, 2007.
(Ponschock)

5. The White House < http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/patriotact/ > (The White House)

-Are myspace friends really “friends?”
-why do we give them the name friend
-is there a different, more appropriate name we should give them?
-why do people friend request people?
-why do people friend request people they don’t know?
-why do people accept friend requests from strangers?