Internet Research Project

REDZ Search Engine Review

REDZ is a search engine that uses their own database to search for sites and displays both a verbal synopsis and visual capture of its results. Rather than focusing on just text to display results one of its strengths is that it allows you to scan through you search results faster and with a broader scope. Most people only look at the first or second page before stopping, but REDZ gives you your results on a continues flow allowing you to sort your results faster. Going to a search engine like Google you would need to scroll through pages of results and having to link in to every site for a visual display of the site. Weaknesses of this site for me include not having an advanced search function and having limited operators that are usable. Your operators are limited to AND, OR, and other simple connection words. However, I do find REDZ’s simple displays and functions easy to use. Searching, sorting, and finding websites is fast and easy for any kind of user. I don’t know if there is an advance version that you subscribe to that would allow more search results and advance options.

RJA #7b: Internet Research Tool Test

• REDZ

• Key words used:
  Bisphenol-a
  Recalls
  BPA plastics
  Nalgene
  Sigg
  Health controversy

• Search strategies used:
  “Bisphenol-a” health controversy
  BPA plastics recalls and Nalgene or Sigg
  BPA plastics health controversy
  Bisphenol-a or BPA or Bisphenol a

• October 6, 2009

• 25-30 results per search

• Relevance of hits 4 <>

RJA #7a: Internet Research Tools

Yahoo, Google, and ASK are the search tools I regularly use when doing research or browsing the internet. I like that they are simple to search on, have a larger databases, and are organized/ categorized nicely. I am so used to Yahoo and Google being “The” search engines you used growing up, so I’m very comfortable using them. What I don’t like is how many pages of results you have to scroll through and the fact they have so many sponsored results. You can end up with a lot of junk, paid for listings when doing a search.

RJA #7c: Field Research Plan

For field research I want to interview someone at Nalgene and Sigg. I could also survey a small sample group to find out how many people replaced their bottles, the reason why, and what they know about Bisphenol-a. Some questions I would ask for the interview would be;

1. Why did they decide to discontinue the use of BPA?
2. Where and what information did they receive about BPA that fueled their decisions?
3. How did it affect their costs discontinuing BPA, and how did the recall and sales of BPA free products boost numbers/revenue?

I need to get started quickly on developing interview and survey questions to allow time for people to respond. I need to also reflect the data of the field research in my paper in time to submit by the dead line considering people at the companies I want to interview have other pressing priorities.

RJA #6c: Protopage

Protopage for Diana

RJA #6b: Search Strings

I did not have any comments or suggestions for changing my search strings. However, I do realize I could use more keywords in a single search to narrow and specify my search results.

RJA# 4b: Search Strings

+”bisphenol A” + water bottles
+bisphenol A + effects +use
+bisphenol A +water bottles +sigg –nalgene

Recalls OR health OR effects "Bisphenol-A"
“Bisphenol-A” AND health effects
Bisphenol-A AND water bottles OR polycarbonate plastic

RJA #4a: Keywords

FOREST LOG Keywords

Health – Healthy – Healthiness – Wellbeing – Safety – Risk.

Controversy – Controversies – Argument – Disagreement – Dispute

Bisphenol-A – BPA

Plastics – Plastic – Containers – Bottle – Bottles

Effects – Effect – Consequence – Consequences

Companies – Company – Corporation – Businesses - Manufactures

RJA #3c: Developing Research Question

Write a Research Question

1.

Who uses bisphenol-A?

Why do companies use bisphenol-A?

When did companies stop making products with bisphenol-A?

Where are companies getting their information on bisphenol-A?

How are businesses profiting from information being publicized on bisphenol-A?

What is the controversy surrounding the safety of bisphenol-A in consumer products?

Should bisphenol-A products have a mandatory recall?

Would the FDA consider bisphenol-A to still be safe after performing their study?

2.
Who uses bisphenol-A?

Why do companies use bisphenol-A?

When did companies stop making products with bisphenol-A?

Where are companies getting their information on bisphenol-A?

How are businesses profiting from information being publicized on bisphenol-A?

What is the controversy surrounding the safety of bisphenol-A in consumer products?

Should bisphenol-A products have a mandatory recall?

Would the FDA consider bisphenol-A to still be safe after performing their study?

3.

My audience are consumers. People who buy products such as plastic containers, and bottles. They may be unaware of how these types of products are made. People who may have formed uneducated opinions based off health conscious fears, and partial information they hear.

I want to inform my audience about; What BPA is, what kinds of products contain BPA, controversy arguments against BPA toxicity. What companies are using instead, and how companies are capitalizing on the published information.

4.

Who uses bisphenol-A?

Why do companies use bisphenol-A?

When did companies stop making products with bisphenol-A?

Where are companies getting their information on bisphenol-A?

How are businesses profiting from information being publicized on bisphenol- A?What is the controversy surrounding the safety of bisphenol-A in consumer products?

Should bisphenol-A products have a mandatory recall?

Would the FDA consider bisphenol-A to still be safe after performing their study?

5. What is the controversy surrounding the safety of bisphenol-A in consumer products?

RJA #3b: Narrowing Research Topic

I don’t think I need to narrow my topic as a whole, but I do need to narrow the focus. I think I want to focus on just drinking bottles and the major company makers. How they have capitalized on the BPA heath controversy by making new products and doing voluntary recalls. I want to explore the heath argument going on about BPA, but also want it to tie into how a huge product focus is on bottle companies and what they are doing.

RJA #3a: Exploring Research Topic

From just initial searching I found out that BPA is used as a lining in a lot of food containers, and it is put into polycarbonate plastic products to harden them. The chemical mimics estrogen interfering with the hormones believing to cause cancer, birth defects, and early pubescent heath problems in children. The FDA doesn’t have an opinion yet as to whether or not BPA is toxic in the amounts that we ingest. I also found many bottle companies have information pages on BPA and have done voluntary recalls.

RJA #2c: Delicious Account

My DELICIOUS account is http://delicious.com/dbeahmsc.

RJA #2b: Research Topic

The topic of my research paper is the BPA chemical controversy and how businesses are capitalizing on the research. I chose this as my topic because, working for REI I get to see people's reaction to BPA especially in water bottles. I do know there is a lot of information on the topic and there are a number of directions i can take it.

I find it extremely interesting how the study’s findings surfaced as quickly as they did, and caused such roar in the media stating with plastic water bottles. I also find it interesting how quick companies had alternatives.

I would like to learn more about the actual study done on BPA such as; how the study was conducted, what the exact findings are, wither or not it was blind or paid for, and what the FDA’s position is. I also want to know what other numerous products contain BPA, and why the emphasis on water bottles.

RJA #2a: Possible Topics

1. BPA research, controversy, product recall, and how some businesses are capitalizing on it.
   
2. The science behind shopping and why we buy.
   
3. Online technology, communication sites, and communication devices are influencing and effecting use sociologically.

Research Journal #1: Area of Academic Interest

My academic interests are mostly within business. I find such things as young-adults, and adults lack of business etiquette interesting. I also recently took an interest in how online technology, communication sites, and communication devices are influencing and effecting use sociologically.