Collaborative Research Project Reflection
The Process:
After watching the movie Food Inc., I became part of a four person group to work on our Collaborative Research Project that consisted of Paula, Lisa, Taylor, and myself. We decided to do an exploratory research paper instead of a documentary. A couple of us thought about how ammonia is added to beef meat filler. After jotting down some more ideas while brainstorming, we left deciding to go home where each of us would think about possible topics. We also decided to have our topic choice decided upon before our next class. This way we would be somewhat ahead of the game. During the weekend we were in contact with each other and agreed unanimously to further investigate the topic of ammonia being added to ground beef and how it might affect us health wise.
At our next class, information about ammonia and the addition of it to meat filler during processing was brought in and exchanged with one another. We were learning so much about ammonia being added to beef. Actually, we need ammonia in our bodies and do have natural levels of it in us. However, the ammonia becomes a problem when there is either too much added, resulting in unhealthy pH levels, or not enough, resulting in unhealthy E.coli levels. We then discussed how to go about writing our research paper. Taylor already had a beautifully written outline completed (naturally), so it was decided for each of us to further research a subtopic of the paper. I was to research the portion dedicated to the Federal pH levels of ammonia. I was to find out what qualifying levels were considered safe levels, and where the fine line was drawn between safe and unsafe pH levels. We also decided to use Google Docs to write our paper. Google Docs is a wonderful writing technology that was introduced to us this past summer when we took a writing class. It affords the group members the opportunity to write our sections simultaneously and edit each other’s section at the same time as well if necessary.
After doing our research and writing our respective sections, my partners and I reviewed each other’s writings, noted areas where questions arose, and spoke with one another directly to iron out possible wrinkles. Wanting to present a product to the best of our abilities, we then made the necessary changes so our paper had a better feel to it and flowed nicely when read.
Finally, we decided to improve our exploratory research paper by incorporating video clips, charts, and links for further investigation. We feel these additions will make our original paper multimodal, enhancing our end product once completed. Our process seemed to go smoothly. We all had our job assignments to work on independently, and afterward, we came back together and shared our information with the group. All members of our group worked well together, with each of us contributing equally. Decisions were made together, as a collaborative group, making sure we were all in agreement before moving on. I enjoyed our process for the research paper.
The Product:
My finished Collaborative Research Project is a product that I am extremely proud of. My team members and I produced a product whose topic was one that needed further investigation, was thoroughly researched, and created awareness to the consumer that wasn't there before. By investigating the topic of ammonia being added to meat filler, we were able to help lift the veil of secrecy as Michael Moss did in his original article for The New York Times. Through our research, our team was able to learn the history of ammonia, what the federal regulations are for ammonia, view detrimental health risks, and provide alternatives for the problem. It turns out that there are no definitive answers thus far. There has been no scientific evidence produced yet saying that adding ammonia as a processing agent is detrimental to one's health.
What I really enjoyed about doing this project was how well my research members and I worked together! It definitely was a group, or shall I say, collaborative effort. I know this project was one that I could not have done alone or even with one partner. By working collaboratively, we as a group learned how to help one another when stuck, welcomed each others' thoughts and ideas, and focused as a group to provide the best "polished" product we could. My team members and I worked on this project many a late night, editing our findings. I also really enjoyed using the Google Docs feature again. Using this technology was so helpful and enjoyable for me. It made the process of writing a research paper bearable because it allowed us as a group to log on and work side by side to write, rewrite, and edit our work in progress.
Our finished product is multimodal. Aside from the research paper itself, we added a survey in the form of a pie chart, and also provided a video clip at the end, showcasing one restaurant owner’s choice to use non-ammonia products, trying to do his part as an active consumer.
The Process:
After watching the movie Food Inc., I became part of a four person group to work on our Collaborative Research Project that consisted of Paula, Lisa, Taylor, and myself. We decided to do an exploratory research paper instead of a documentary. A couple of us thought about how ammonia is added to beef meat filler. After jotting down some more ideas while brainstorming, we left deciding to go home where each of us would think about possible topics. We also decided to have our topic choice decided upon before our next class. This way we would be somewhat ahead of the game. During the weekend we were in contact with each other and agreed unanimously to further investigate the topic of ammonia being added to ground beef and how it might affect us health wise.
At our next class, information about ammonia and the addition of it to meat filler during processing was brought in and exchanged with one another. We were learning so much about ammonia being added to beef. Actually, we need ammonia in our bodies and do have natural levels of it in us. However, the ammonia becomes a problem when there is either too much added, resulting in unhealthy pH levels, or not enough, resulting in unhealthy E.coli levels. We then discussed how to go about writing our research paper. Taylor already had a beautifully written outline completed (naturally), so it was decided for each of us to further research a subtopic of the paper. I was to research the portion dedicated to the Federal pH levels of ammonia. I was to find out what qualifying levels were considered safe levels, and where the fine line was drawn between safe and unsafe pH levels. We also decided to use Google Docs to write our paper. Google Docs is a wonderful writing technology that was introduced to us this past summer when we took a writing class. It affords the group members the opportunity to write our sections simultaneously and edit each other’s section at the same time as well if necessary.
After doing our research and writing our respective sections, my partners and I reviewed each other’s writings, noted areas where questions arose, and spoke with one another directly to iron out possible wrinkles. Wanting to present a product to the best of our abilities, we then made the necessary changes so our paper had a better feel to it and flowed nicely when read.
Finally, we decided to improve our exploratory research paper by incorporating video clips, charts, and links for further investigation. We feel these additions will make our original paper multimodal, enhancing our end product once completed. Our process seemed to go smoothly. We all had our job assignments to work on independently, and afterward, we came back together and shared our information with the group. All members of our group worked well together, with each of us contributing equally. Decisions were made together, as a collaborative group, making sure we were all in agreement before moving on. I enjoyed our process for the research paper.
The Product:
My finished Collaborative Research Project is a product that I am extremely proud of. My team members and I produced a product whose topic was one that needed further investigation, was thoroughly researched, and created awareness to the consumer that wasn't there before. By investigating the topic of ammonia being added to meat filler, we were able to help lift the veil of secrecy as Michael Moss did in his original article for The New York Times. Through our research, our team was able to learn the history of ammonia, what the federal regulations are for ammonia, view detrimental health risks, and provide alternatives for the problem. It turns out that there are no definitive answers thus far. There has been no scientific evidence produced yet saying that adding ammonia as a processing agent is detrimental to one's health.
What I really enjoyed about doing this project was how well my research members and I worked together! It definitely was a group, or shall I say, collaborative effort. I know this project was one that I could not have done alone or even with one partner. By working collaboratively, we as a group learned how to help one another when stuck, welcomed each others' thoughts and ideas, and focused as a group to provide the best "polished" product we could. My team members and I worked on this project many a late night, editing our findings. I also really enjoyed using the Google Docs feature again. Using this technology was so helpful and enjoyable for me. It made the process of writing a research paper bearable because it allowed us as a group to log on and work side by side to write, rewrite, and edit our work in progress.
Our finished product is multimodal. Aside from the research paper itself, we added a survey in the form of a pie chart, and also provided a video clip at the end, showcasing one restaurant owner’s choice to use non-ammonia products, trying to do his part as an active consumer.
