Proposal
Abstract
The purpose of this research paper is to delve into the world of computer as well as mobile technology to see just how today’s computers have affected the ways families communicate. Has the cell phone and IM taken away from face-to-face confrontation between teens and parents? How are parents making sure that their child is staying safe not just in school, but on the web as well. With today’s technology are we increasing or really decreasing communication.
Introduction
Technology is everywhere. It dictates how we work, enjoy ourselves, and more importantly: how we communicate with one another. More specifically, how we communicate with the other members in our family. Any and all aspects of communication is affected by technology in some way, shape, or form. I believe that today’s families communicate less than when they did a mere 10 years ago.
This topic is very important to me as I am a computer science major that is primarily focusing on network security. Many ads ask the question “Do you know what your child is doing on the internet?” More and more shows like Dateline NBC’s “How to catch a predator” spend countless hours attempting to put sexual predators behind bars. Do these prey-upon child’s parents know what their child is doing on the internet? Do they care? There are many extremes when it comes to parenting and this issue. Some parents do not permit the excessive use of computers in their household, whereas some families sole source of communication and information is through the use of computers and the internet. How has this seemingly harmless tool brought so much controversy to these family’s households?
My research paper will set out to find just how the internet and use of computers has affected different families. Communication will be my main goal. I would like to find out if computers have increased or decreased communications within family households.
Methods
My main source of information will come from my family and their interactions through computers with other family members. Is it simply limited to email and instant messengers or something more? Does the networking website Facebook play it’s part as well? Twitter? Myspace? I will conduct interviews with each member of my family and see what they have to say. Obviously my 18 year old sister uses the computer differently than my 55 year old father. Same goes for my 22 year old brother and 56 year old mother. I will also conduct an experiment to see how the members in my family were to function a day or two without the use of cell phones and email. I am also thinking about branching this research out to my college roommates as well. Similar tests will be carried out to see if the results are the same in comparison to my family’s.
Outline
I. Introduction
A. Abstract about the research paper
B. Thesis statement
II. Section one
A. How has communication between family members changed between family members because of technology
B. Why has communication changed
C. Has communication increased or decreased because of technology, more specifically because of the internet.
D. Is this a good thing or a bad thing.
III. Section two
A. With the removal of technology, how do families interact
B. Has communications increased or decreased with said technology
Word.
1 Comment so far
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Excellent start; solid ideas
Incomplete:
*no evidence of reading the relevant literature; no sources listed.
*outline needs to reflect the actual genre in which you are writing; where is methods? analysis? discussion?
Next due date: Thursday February 25th
Comment by marlen February 20, 2010 @ 7:48 pm