Research in the Real World

Our attempt to connect undergraduate research with the real world.

The ‘undisciplined’ gropings of student prose were of course far from the research ideal held up by the disciplines. As faculty never tired of pointing out, student papers were replete with ignorance and error of all sorts, which could seemingly never be entirely eradicated. Because faculty tended to regard poor writing as evidence of poor thinking, not as evidence of a student’s incomplete assimilation into a disciplinary community, faculty sensed that the discipline’s ‘store of knowledge,’ acquired at great sacrifice was ‘tarnished’ by poor writing (Russell, pg 74).”

-Writing in the Academic Disciplines 1870-1990

What are the discussions about?

There are discussions about everything. You just have to find the right group.

Who is having them?

Students, Faculty & Staff, Government, Corporations, Nonprofit Organizations (See Below) - Possibly everyone but you. So get involved.

 

Nonprofit

American Institute of Biological Sciences

“The American Institute of Biological Sciences was established as a national umbrella organization for the biological sciences in 1947 by 11 scientific societies as part of the National Academy of Sciences. An independent non-profit organization since 1954, it has grown to represent more than 80 professional societies and organizations with a combined membership exceeding 240,000 scientists and educators. Throughout its history, AIBS has been led by internationally recognized officers, board members, and a council of member organizations, who, with professional staff and volunteers, have expanded AIBS programs to better serve science and society.”

National Center for Science Education

“The National Center for Science Education (NCSE) is a not-for-profit, membership organization providing information and resources for schools, parents and concerned citizens working to keep evolution in public school science education. We educate the press and public about the scientific, educational, and legal aspects of the creation and evolution controversy, and supply needed information and advice to defend good science education at local, state, and national levels. Our 4000 members are scientists, teachers, clergy, and citizens with diverse religious affiliations.”

Where are they having them?

Magazines & Scholarly Journals, Websites, Think Tanks, and it selected academic societies.

Magazines and Journals

Luckily for us students, the Evergreen State College subscribes to many journal services. By the far the best is Proquest. It can be accessed through the TESC Library Catalog "Reference and Journal" portal in the P's under Proquest Direct.

Think Tanks

Carnegie Endowment For International Peace

“The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing cooperation between nations and promoting active international engagement by the United States. Founded in 1910, its work is nonpartisan and dedicated to achieving practical results.”

• This is a very good resource for news, information, and thought regarding the U.S. and its relations with other nations. The site is visually appealing. It has a decent search capability.

NIRA’s World Directory for Think Tanks 2002

• A very large website with seemingly current and working links to websites. Though it says 2002 many of the internal pages have been updated as late as Sept. 2004.

How do they connect to my life?

These “discussions” are happening and tend to be one sided unless other people like us and you get involved. You don’t have to take the “devil’s advocate position” but it doesn’t hurt to question an organization and help them by offering other ideas.