Assignment 10

Background Research

Assigned: Two days after session 13

Due: Session 15

Document what has been done in the past on your project topic. This is going to be in the form of an annotated bibliography. Here are two sample entries:

Richter, Bob, and Jack Daniels. "Using Ground Penetrating Radar in Muddy Conditions." Journal of Mind Action, no. 6.3 (December 2000).

The authors tested a PRG made by Kmart in muddy conditions and found that it could not detect things smaller than a trash can lid. They plan to continue testing this model. PRG is currently being used in demining work in Elbonia.

Email from Abc Def to MgM list, November 2001.

Def said that the use of Kmart PRG detectors in the field had caused 4 accidents and he strongly advised people to stop using them.

Here is a list of suggested topics and sources that we came up with in about 5 minutes. You should cover other things that you think of as well. If you find a good source of information that would be of interest to others in the class, share it. Remember, we are a company working to make an impact.

• What other people have done on this topic
• What we have done in previous classes
• Comparable products used in demining
• Comparable products in other industries (gardening, construction, etc.)
• What/who is the competition?
• MgM archive emails
• Journal of mine action
• Accident data base
• Emails

Also, start making a list of people that you will want to talk to regarding your project.

Typically when making a bibliography, you will find that each published paper has references. If you follow the references, you find more information on your topic. Eventually those papers start to reference papers you have already read. When you have gone in a complete circle, and are not finding any new material, you know that you have done a complete search. Of course, you will be finding sources that are not formal papers, so they may not have their own bibliographies, but keep an eye out for references to follow.

For session 16, come up with a plan/wish list for what information you want to find out for your product. Start doing some initial research to see what is out there so that your list is based in reality. We will go over these plans in class so you will be ready to fill in all the details for session 18.