Every profession has issues that are debated at particular times. For example, in the early 21st century, one issue in higher education dealt with the value of online learning (an issue that has since been deflated based on research and experience). What are some current issues in your profession? The need for community policing? The value of instituting flex time or telecommuting? The need to provide easily accessible counseling for people addicted to prescription drugs?
Part of being an educated practitioner is the ability to identify, consider, research, and analyze issues related to your profession, so that you can develop your own insights and practices based on your analysis. One of the skills expected of workers is lifelong learning, and an engagement with current issues in the profession helps to promote that skill.
How can you identify current research and opinions about an issue in your profession? One way is to research articles in professional journals, written for practitioners in the field. A specialized database search can yield many articles. If you are not familiar with databases, read the page on Academic Research in this text.
The following video adds a few tips for database searching.
initial activity
Create an annotated bibliography related to a current issue in your profession.
- Identify a current issue in your profession.
- Research the issue and select 5 articles offering at least two different opinions about the issue. Read each article fully.
- Then read/view information about creating an annotated bibliography using the following sources:
- Cornell University Library’s How to Prepare an Annotated Bibliography
- University of Maryland University College’s Library Guide How to Write an Annotated Bibliography
- Purdue Online Writing Lab’s Annotated Bibliography Samples
- Create an annotated bibliography with the full citation for each article, followed by your own summary and analysis.
Submit: annotated bibliography
in-depth activity
Identify a current issue in your profession.
Research the issue and select at least 5 articles offering at least two different opinions about the issue. Read each article fully.
Develop your own viewpoint about the issue, as a result of your research and experience.
Write a 4-5 page research essay comparing and contrasting the opinions offered in the articles, and offering reasons why you find one of the viewpoints more valid than the other.
Submit: research essay
Related college Learning Goals
Active Learning: Assess and build upon previous learning and experiences to pursue new learning, independently and in collaboration with others.
Breadth and Depth of Knowledge: Cultivate a broad, interdisciplinary understanding in the liberal arts and sciences, as well as expertise in a particular field.
Information and Digital Media Literacy: Critically access, evaluate, understand, create and share information using a range of collaborative technologies to advance learning, as well as personal and professional development.
For more information, see the College Learning Goals Policy.