Research Tactics

For my primary source, I am going to try to contact and set up an interview with the head of the theology department (I forgot his name). From what I've heard he knows a lot about animal rights etc. and would be very beneficial in my research. I can also research actual laws and regulations made by the government that apply to animals. These would be primary as well.
I will email the theology guy and set up appointment times, or just contact by email and I can research on the web for the laws and regulations.
Questions:
1) What laws/regulations are already in existence now?
2) Do you think it is fair to treat animals poorly because they are not humans?
3) What kind of ethical considerations are taken into consideration when making these laws/animal testing?
4) Who decides on these regulations?
5) Do animals essentially have a voice?

Progress Report

I need to set up an interview with someone (man from the theology department O'Rourke directed me to) who is familiar with animal rights/ethics etc. That would be a good place to start for a primary source. I am going to research animal rights and different laws out there that protect animals and examine the ethical consideration of animal testing. Are there alternatives? Who is okay with this form of animal cruelty and who is not? Why do we have the right to perform these things on animals when we ourselves would not want to do it on other humans? It's injustice! I've found a good amount of websites that offer information, but I need to find some more "scholarly articles" that relate to this topic.


My research role:
Analytical Thinker Positioned in a Critical Conversation

Research Websites

http://www.hsus.org/animals_in_research/animal_testing/

http://www.navs.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ain_pt_testing_main

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_rights

Research Sources

-wikipedia
-specific companies--those who do and don't animal test
-consumers?
-the web

keywords
-animal testing
-cosmetic testing animals
-animal rights
-ethics of animal testing

My Research Strategy

The audience for this paper would be more of those concerned with animal rights and activists. It is a topic that many will pass off and not care about. It will take someone who truly cares about animals and their "voice" that would read this paper and take something from it.

My purpose in writing this paper will be to examine the rights of animals, or the lack there of. I will make people aware of the fact that this is happening and harming animals. I want to open up the eyes of those ignorant to harming animals and bring forth the idea that if they are not willing to be tested on, why should animals be subjected to it. I want to emphasize the importance of abolishing animal cruelty and giving animals a "voice."


Strategy:
read articles, look into certain companies that may or may not animal test, read about certain legislation

Exploring Research Topics

(So I added another possible topic...)
What are the ethical considerations of product animal testing?

Part I.
1. Animal testing happens frequently in this day and age and can be very harmful to the animals. Is it fair that we test products on them?
2. I am an Earth advocate...I think that kind of sums it up.
3. I am STRONGLY against testing on animals. It's cruel.
4. What kinds of products are tested on animals? Are there alternatives? Why do people think it's ok to test on animals when they themselves don't want to be tested on? I don't really know much about this topic right now, but I'm willing to learn more and fight for the rights of the animals! They have feelings too...
5. I could contact the company of a product that practices testing on animals.
Part II.
Are the restrictions made on cosmetic animal testing enough and what kinds of rights do animals have compared to humans?

Possible Research Topics

- Should prayer (mandatory or voluntary) be allowed in public schools? (theologists)

- Should there be restrictions on sources used to better conserve our planet? (environmentalists)

- Should we abolish the death penalty? (sociologists)

Summary of Source One

It was 1996, a year to rememeber in history. It was one of the greatest years for female athletes, where they dominated both events and worldwide recognition in the Olympics. It happened to be one of the first years where women were fully benefitted from Title IX. This stated, "no person in the U.S. shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving federal aid (Kemp)." Although females have had such a recent success, they are the first to be torn apart and picked on by politicians and those who want to cut down funds. Fighting against the reactions of critics, women are emerging in athletics, both as athletes and coaches. The professional women's basketball team is surging through society, fighting for recognition and equality. For once, female athletes will be heard. Because of Title IX, anybody is able to participate in sporting events. I mean, afterall, we are equal.


Women's Sports Progress Under Title IX; Women's Basketball Goes Pro. October 1996. National Times. October 1, 2007 <http://bb.elmhurst.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab=courses&url=/bin/common/course.pl?course_id=_1876_1.>

Sources

http://www.now.org/nnt/11-96/wosports.html

http://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/cgi-bin/iowa/issues/history/article.html?record=769

http://www.questia.com/googlescholar.qst?docID=5002191166