Assignment ONE Research Report: Brainstorming

Question

In this assignment, you will begin brainstorming for a research report we’ll work on throughout this unit and the following unit. PLEASE pick things you are genuinely interested in!! Reach out to me ANY time you have questions or feel like you’re getting stuck!

List three ideas, discoveries, concepts, or issues that interest you (think of an animal you like, sports, a movie or tv show, book, music genre, etc!).



Narrow these topics down as much as possible. For example, if you are interested in sharks, you might focus on the history of shark attacks, recent shark attacks, or why sharks attack humans. List your three narrowed topics below.



Use the internet to learn more about each of the narrow topics you listed above. As you read, use the chart below to record important ideas about each topic, along with subtopics that interest you, questions you have, and any other information that you find useful.
Topic One
Topic Two
Topic Three

Which topic interests you the most and seem to have enough information for a research report?

Write down four research questions about your topic. Make sure your questions cannot be answered by a yes or no response or in a short sentence.




Choose one research question to focus on. Remember, this needs to be broad enough that you can write a whole report on it. So it cannot be answered quickly or with a yes or no!

Answer 1

Assignment ONE Research Report: Brainstorming

Step 1: List Three Ideas of Interest

1. The Impact of Climate Change on Coral Reefs
2. The Evolution and Influence of Hip-Hop Music
3. The Psychology Behind Animal-Assisted Therapy

Step 2: Narrowed Topics

1. The Impact of Climate Change on Coral Reefs

   • Focus on the effects of rising ocean temperatures on coral bleaching.

2. The Evolution and Influence of Hip-Hop Music

   • Investigate how hip-hop has evolved from its origins in the Bronx to becoming a global phenomenon.

3. The Psychology Behind Animal-Assisted Therapy

   • Explore the benefits of different types of therapy animals used in mental health treatment.

Step 3: Research Chart

| Topic | Important Ideas | Subtopics of Interest | Questions to Explore | Additional Information | |--------------------------------------|------------------------------|-------------------------------|----------------------|-----------------------| | The Impact of Climate Change on Coral Reefs | Rising ocean temperatures, coral bleaching, marine biodiversity loss | Specific case studies of regions affected, comparisons between healthy vs. bleached reefs | How do rising temperatures specifically affect coral's ability to survive? | Coral reefs cover less than 1% of the ocean floor but support 25% of marine life. | | The Evolution and Influence of Hip-Hop Music | Origins in the 1970s, cultural impact, social commentary | Key artists through decades, underground vs. mainstream hip-hop, regional variations | What social issues did hip-hop address during its early years, and how has this changed? | Hip-hop reflects the socio-political climate of its time and serves as a narrative for marginalized communities. | | The Psychology Behind Animal-Assisted Therapy | Effectiveness in treatment, types of therapy animals, patient engagement | Specific disorders treated, ethical considerations, training requirements for animals | What evidence exists to support the use of therapy animals in treating mental health issues? | Studies have shown that animal contact can reduce anxiety and improve mood in patients. |

Step 4: Topic of Interest

Topic Chosen: The Psychology Behind Animal-Assisted Therapy

Step 5: Research Questions

1. What are the psychological mechanisms through which animal-assisted therapy enhances emotional well-being in patients?
2. How do different types of therapy animals (e.g., dogs, cats, horses) impact the therapeutic process and outcomes?
3. What specific mental health conditions have been most effectively treated with animal-assisted therapy, and what evidence supports these findings?
4. How do cultural attitudes towards animals influence the acceptance and effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy in different communities?

Step 6: Focused Research Question

What are the psychological mechanisms through which animal-assisted therapy enhances emotional well-being in patients?

This research question is broad enough to delve into various aspects of animal-assisted therapy while allowing for a detailed exploration of the psychological impacts and effects, making it suitable for a comprehensive research report.