(FAQ = Frequently Asked Questions) [Short link to this page: http://bit.ly/w101faq.]

Credible Sources

Just because something is online, that doesn't make it credible (indeed, often the opposite is true).  A great website to help you think about finding credible scholarly sources online is the Internet Detective. You might also have a look at Monash's guide 'How to identify academic resources.'

Referencing

All Internet Communications and Internet Studies units follow use the APA referencing style (6th edition); Curtin library has a pretty good guide to the APA style here (PDF). On occasion, you may need to create a reference for something not obviously covered in the APA 6th guide. In that case, have a search through the APA Blog and see if there's an updated style (examples already addressed include citing eBooks, Twitter and Facebook).

Referencing a post on the discussion boards:

Surname, Initials. (Year, Month Day). Title of post. Message posted to http://lms.curtin.edu.au

eg Leaver, T. (2012, March 16) RE: Referencing questions. Message posted to http://lms.curtin.edu.au

Referencing course notes:

Surname, Initials. (Year) Title of section/area/page. [Course notes]. Retrieved from http://lms.curtin.edu.au

eg Leaver, T. (2012). Introduction to Module 2: What is Web 2.0. [Course notes]. Retrieved from http://lms.curtin.edu.au

Referencing a lecture:

Surname, Initials. (Year) Title of lecture [Lecture]. Retrieved from URL.

eg Leaver, T. (2012) ... and what is the World Wide Web? [Lecture]. Retrieved from http://dbs.ilectures.curtin.edu.au/lectopia/lectopia.lasso?ut=2417

[However, please keep in mind, unless the unit coordinator or tutors say otherwise, lectures are not generally considered a good source for research.  They're a good place to gets ideas of things to read, but not good sources by themselves. Of course, if you do use lectures to quote from, you must reference, no matter what!]

Formatting

There aren't 100% strict formatting rules, but you do not need to 1.5 or double-space your documents. Ideally, a single-spaced document, written in a clearly readable 12-point font (eg Times, Arial, Calibri), with a line break (ie a blank line) between paragraphs, would be a good presentation format, but if you don't follow this it's not the end of the world. (The reason many assignments make you submit in 1.5 or double-spacing is so that markers have enough room to write comments; obviously in an electronic document this isn't an issue, as your marker will simply make space where they need it.) You must, however, follow the APA referencing style accurately no matter how you format your work. Also, please submit Word documents or Rich Text Files (.rtf) but not PDFs (as they are harder to accurately comment on and correct).

Assignment 1 - Short Q&As

QN: Do in-text references and quotes count as part of the word limit?

ANS: Yes, in-text references and quotations count toward your word limit. However, the references listed at the end do not count.

QN: Is the word limit exact?

ANS: As a general rule with written work in Internet Communications units, you have +/-10% leeway with word limits (meaning, in this case, if your word count is between 676 and 824 you won't be penalised).

QN: Do I do one list of references at the end, or a list for each question.

ANS: Just one overall list at the end.

QN: Can I refer to unit notes and lectures?

ANS: As a general rule, unit notes and lectures are not considered good sources for academic writing. However, since this is often the first ever university assignment for many people, you can use these sources JUST for this assignment. Please keep in mind, though, we still expect you to do your own research and find other, peer reviewed sources.

QN: What does 'peer reviewed' mean?

ANS: Most work published by academics is peer reviewed, literally meaning it has been reviewed and scrutinised by other members of the relevant academic community. Scholarly journals, books, book chapters and so forth are usually peer-reviewed.

QN: If I can't tell if something is peer-reviewed, can I use it?

ANS: There may be some cases where non-peer reviewed material is acceptable. An example might be a very recent development which is written about in technology blogs, but not yet in published academic writing. You need to make a judgement call as to whether a non peer-reviewed source is necessary for your work. That said, a piece of work which relies too heavily on non peer-reviewed sources is far less likely to receive a good mark than a piece of work which draws on more peer reviewed sources.

Assignment 2 - Essay

QN: Is the word limit exact?

ANS: As a general rule with written work in Internet Communications units, you have +/-10% leeway with word limits (meaning, in this case, if your word count is between 1351 and 1649 you won't be penalised).

QN: Can I use bullet points?

ANS: No. An essay should consist of paragraphs, including an introduction and conclusion. Bullet points might be acceptable in some forms of assessment (such as scientific reports) but not essays. Basically, anything that starts off as a bullet point should be converted into a sentence in a paragraph before your essay is completed.

Assignment 3 - Web Presence Creation

QN: Can I use an existing profile (ie one I created before starting Web101) as part of my Web Presence.

ANS: No.  In order to ensure the assignment is fair, all nodes (central and supporting) must be created specifically for the Web Presence assignment.

QN: If I keep my weekly learning portfolio entries on a blog, can I use this as part of my web presence assignment?

ANS: No. All nodes created for your web presence must be specifically created for that assignment; a portfolio blog will have entries that are relevant to your study, but not the theme you're conveying on your web presence, and are thus not usable as part of your web presence.

QN: Can I use my web presence nodes (eg Twitter or Facebook) once I've submitted the assignment?

ANS: No. You cannot change any element of your web presence from the moment you submit it until you have received your marks back for the assignment.

QN: Can I write my exegesis in the first person (ie using 'I')?

ANS: Yes. Keep in mind, though, you should still be explaining your web presence choices with reference to readings and references, it's not just a description of what you did, but a justified explanation of why you did what you did.

Assignment 4 - The Learning Portfolio

QN: Do I have to submit my full learning portfolio?

ANS: No.  You are only required to submit your Learning Reflections.  You will include between 3 and 5 portfolio entries, edited into one meaningful narrative, as part of the Learning Reflections essay.

QN: Can I write my Learning Reflections in the first person (ie using 'I')?

ANS: Yes (but keep in mind, this isn't just opinions, you need to use references/readings to articulate and justify your thoughts).

QN: Do I have to include copies of all discussion board posts I refer to?

ANS: No. Anything on the Blackboard discussion board can just be refered to (as the referencing example above indicates) since your markers will always have access to the discussion boards. (That said, if you refer to any discussion tool, such as Twitter, then including that conversation as an appendix is necessary since you marker needs to be able to refer to the conversation(s) you mention).

QN: If I keep my weekly learning portfolio entries on a blog, can I use this as part of my web presence assignment?

ANS: No. All nodes created for your web presence must be specifically created for that assignment; a portfolio blog will have entries that are relevant to your study, but not the theme you're conveying on your web presence, and are thus not usable as part of your web presence.