Using the Worksheet attached to the assignment, create a reference list of at least four scholarly sources that you will use in your final project. References should follow APA format (7th edition).

Finding scholarly sources

For this part of the final project, UMGC library databases, or Google Scholar to locate four scholarly or credible sources on your chosen topic.

What is a scholarly or credible source? You should rely on sources that have credibility. Appropriate sources are articles written by experts in the field, articles found in peer-reviewed journals, published documents from well-known research groups (e.g., Pew Research), and reports published by government agencies (e.g., NIH, CDC). Inappropriate sources would include popular websites (e.g., about.com, ehow.com, Wikipedia) or media outlets (e.g., Fox, MSNBC, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Forbes, etc.). These sources do not always accurately report their findings and are sometimes prone to bias. If a website or article fails to report the credentials of the author(s) and does not include citations for the information contained in the article, chances are it is not a scholarly source and therefore should not be used.

Submit a summary of each article using the attached worksheet. In your own words, identify the key findings of the article. Do not simply state what the article was about (e.g., “This article talks about cyberbullying”). What specific information did you learn from your source? (e.g., “Cyberbullying has become a popular means of abuse among teenagers, affecting about half of all young people.”) The purpose of the key findings section is to demonstrate that you have read and understood each of your sources. Your key findings should be 250 words in length. Do not simply copy and paste the abstract or any other part of your source! This is plagiarism and violates university policy.

The purpose of this assignment is to 1) ensure that you are using appropriate, scholarly sources, and 2) to make sure you are on track for your final project.

The 4 Topics are:

1. Achievement and Success (“Success Emphasis”) – Americans place a high value on personal achievement, especially outdoing others. This value includes getting ahead at work and school, and attaining wealth, power, and prestige. 2. Equality – It is impossible to understand Americans without being aware of the central role that the value of equality plays in their lives. Equality of opportunity has significantly influenced U.S. history and continues to mark relations between groups that make up U.S. society. 3. Democracy 4. The American Dream