INTRODUCTION: Reflections of a Researcher
 

Assignment 1: Recent Studies in Restoration & 18th-Century Literature
 

Assignment 2: Critical Website Evaluation
 

Assignment 3: MLA & WorldCat Topic Search
 

Yakesha Cooper Home

Main Project Page
 

Women's Shoes from 1665-1675, courtesy of Manchester City Galleries, Manchester UK

My experience in conducting research in the Restoration period has been an interesting one, and one that I have rather enjoyed.  I found out a lot of pertinent information regarding the social, political, and artistic aspects of society during that time. However, the most challenging assignment was the first bibliographic research. The assignment was not so much difficult to understand, but having to read a plethora of different authors on one genre and to sum up a good number of pages into two was challenging. The most useful was the second bibliographic research assignment. This particular assignment introduced us to various forms of literary journals during the Restoration period. Being able to read scholarly sources first hand that date back to that time was very interesting. Also, it provides a glimpse into how the writers constructed their literary voice. I would have to say that my strength as a researcher is being able to find the most useful academic sources that relate to my topic. I am highly versed in the academic websites and search engines that can provide the most significant information to whatever type of research I might be conducting. Also, I am very good at coming up with various forms of searching for one particular topic. For examples, switching words or using certain key words that will provide me with more of an array of topics to choose from.  One weakness that I can identify within myself as a researcher is improper citations. I find making citations one of the most difficult tasks in research, although I recognize that it is one of the most important. I just find it to be challenging because I have seen professors give varying examples of how to cite, and it just confuses me as a researcher.  I would like for my peers to know that I have made the best possible effort I could to do a task I was assigned. I tried to provide information that would be most useful to my peers and to myself. Also, I wanted to make it accessible to them and easy to understand. I hope that I have been successful in this endeavor and that everyone enjoys the site!