Project Phase 2: Research & Sources

Updates 7/29/25

Timeline: Weeks 5-8

  • AI Support: AI Worksheet 2: Research Strategy
  • Deliverable: Annotated Bibliography
  • Deliberable: AI Worksheet 2 completed and linked to Annotated Bibliography assignment

Back to Main Project Page

Overview

Phase 2 transforms your best topic idea into a research-based foundation for your TPG proposal. You’ll learn essential library research skills, find scholarly sources, and critically evaluate how they support your project goals.

  • Formatting and other information on Main Project Page under Essential Information
  • Pre-submission of 6 sources via email to Holly Birk and Krygier for check
    • Due Monday, October 20
  • Final submission of Annotated Bibliography w/link to AI Worksheet 2
    • Name it: “Annotated Bibliography – [Your Name]”
    • Due Wednesday, October 29

Part A: Topic Selection & Refinement

Choose Your Focus Topic

From your three Phase 1 topics, select the one that:

    • Most genuinely interests you (you’ll spend weeks researching it!)
    • Aligns best with your values and career goals
    • Seems most feasible as an undergraduate project
    • Offers the richest research possibilities

Refine Your Research Question

Transform your general topic into a focused, researchable question. Good research questions are:

    • Specific enough to be manageable in scope
    • Broad enough to find sufficient sources
    • Actionable for an undergraduate project
    • Significant beyond just personal interest

Example Evolution:

    • Too broad: “Climate change impacts”
    • Better: “How is climate change affecting Great Lakes fisheries?”
    • Best for TPG: “What climate adaptation strategies could help Ohio fishing communities maintain their livelihoods?” with a specific location and engaged project to assess a specific strategy

Part B: Research Skills Development

Librarian Research Instruction Sessions

You’ll work with Science Librarian Holly Birk to learn:

    • How to search academic databases effectively
    • Evaluating source quality and relevance
    • Using OWU’s library resources and interlibrary loan
    • Citation management and avoiding plagiarism

After completing work with Holly Birk: 

AI Support Available: Use AI Worksheet 2: Research Strategy to:

    • Expand your keyword list beyond what you developed with the librarian
    • Get suggestions for types of sources to seek
    • Evaluate sources you’ve found
    • Identify gaps in your research base
    • Copy the AI Worksheet 2 to your shared folder and complete it
      • Include a link to your completed worksheet in your Annotated Bibliography submission

Important: AI supplements but doesn’t replace library instruction. Use it to enhance the strategies you learn from professional librarians. Remember, AI can hallucinate and generate great-sounding but made-up sources. Check carefully with your meat intelligence.

Part C: Source Requirements

Find at least Six High-Quality Sources

Your sources can include a mix of:

    • Recent research studies (within last 5-10 years)
    • Foundational works that established key concepts
    • Case studies relevant to your topic
    • Policy documents or reports from organizations
    • Books or book chapters for broader context

Source Quality Criteria

Evaluate each source for:

    • Credibility: Peer-reviewed? Reputable author/organization?
    • Relevance: Does it directly address your research question?
    • Currency: Is it recent enough for your topic?
    • Scope: Does it provide the type of evidence you need?

Diversity of Perspectives

Seek sources that:

    • Represent different viewpoints on your topic
    • Come from various types of publications
    • Include different research methodologies
    • Cover multiple aspects of your issue

Part D: Annotated Bibliography Format

Document Structure (6 pages total)

Header Information:

    • Your project title, Course name, and your name, Date

Page 1: Introductory Material

First Half Page: Project Description (this can be refined and used in your TPG proposal – the next phase in the project)

    • Clear description of your focused topic
    • Your refined research question
    • Brief explanation of why this matters

Second Half Page: Research Process Reflection

    • How you found your sources (databases used, search strategies)
    • Problems you encountered and how you solved them
    • Role of the librarian and instructor in your process
    • Any changes to your focus as you found sources
    • Use of interlibrary loan or other special resources

Pages 2-6: Six Annotated Bibliography Entries

    • Approximately 250-300 words per source
    • Follow the four-part structure detailed below

Part E: Annotation Format

Four-Part Structure for Each Source

Number each section to help your instructor follow your analysis:

1. Citation Use a consistent citation style (APA, MLA, or Chicago). Library databases can export citations, but double-check formatting.

2. Summarize

    • What are the main arguments or findings?
    • What topics are covered?
    • Focus on content most relevant to your project

3. Assess

    • Why did you select this source?
    • Where and how did you find it?
    • How do you know the information is reliable?
    • What are the author’s credentials?
    • What makes this source credible and useful?

4. Reflect

    • How does this source fit into your research project?
    • Has it changed how you think about your topic?
    • How will you use this source in your TPG proposal?
    • What specific information supports your project goals?
    • How does it connect to your other sources?

Example Annotation

1. Bukhary, S., Ahmad, S., & Batista, J. (2018). Analyzing land and water requirements for solar deployment in the Southwestern United States. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 82, 3288-3305. doi:10.1016/J.RSER.2017.10.016

2. This article examines the land and water requirements for solar energy development in the Southwestern United States, focusing on both concentrated solar power (CSP) and photovoltaic (PV) systems. The authors highlight recent technological advances that have reduced costs for both systems, but identify water scarcity as a significant constraint. The study analyzes data about land and water use to better understand solar energy feasibility in water-limited regions. Their results provide a model for evaluating whether specific areas have suitable land and water resources for different types of solar installations.

3. I selected this source because it directly addresses resource constraints for renewable energy, which is central to my project on sustainable energy planning. I found it through the Web of Science database using keywords “solar energy” and “water requirements.” The article is reliable because it was published in a peer-reviewed journal focused on renewable energy research, and the authors are affiliated with respected engineering programs. The methodology is clearly described and the data sources are properly cited, indicating rigorous research standards.

4. This source fits perfectly with my TPG project because it provides specific data on resource requirements that I need to consider in sustainable energy planning. It introduced me to the water requirements of solar energy, which I hadn’t fully considered before. I will use this source in my proposal to demonstrate awareness of resource constraints and to support my methodology for site evaluation. The model they developed could inform my own approach to assessing feasibility. This source also connects well with my other sources on renewable energy policy by providing the technical foundation for understanding implementation challenges.

Common Challenges & Solutions

“I can’t find enough sources” → Broaden your search terms; consider related topics; use interlibrary loan

“My sources don’t seem to connect” → Look for common themes; consider if your topic is too broad; discuss in office hours

“I don’t understand some of my sources” → Start with more accessible sources; ask librarian for help finding review articles

“My annotations are too long/short” → Use the four-part structure; aim for 250-300 words per source

“I found better sources after starting” → It’s okay to swap sources, but don’t keep changing – commit and move forward

Assessment Criteria

Your Phase 2 work will be evaluated on:

  • Source quality: Credible, relevant, diverse sources appropriate for your topic
  • Research skills: Evidence of effective search strategies and evaluation criteria
  • Summary accuracy: Clear, accurate representation of source content
  • Critical assessment: Thoughtful evaluation of source credibility and value
  • Integration thinking: Clear connections between sources and your project goals
  • Effective use of AI: Expands on your learning, does not replace it
  • Process reflection: Honest, detailed account of your research development

What’s Next?

In Phase 3 you will write your TPG proposal, using material from Phase 1 and Phase 2. The quality of your proposal depends on the quality of your sources, so invest the time to do this thoughtfully.