Starting your HLTH 1 Project
The Behavior Change Project can be intimidating, especially the research elements! However, it helps to have a plan of action in place. Breaking it down by steps, even if you go back and forth between the steps a few times, can make the project much less overwhelming. Read through the below steps to get some basic tips that will support you as you complete the different project components!
Step One Read & Understand the Project
Before starting the Behavior Change Project, make sure that you have thoroughly read the project details and have asked your professor for clarification on any parts that may be confusing. Create a "plan of action" or "To Do" list with dates to make the assignment less overwhelming.
Project Overview
Step Two Choose a Behavior to Change
Choose a behavior one that is in line with the assignment guidelines, interesting to you, and is a change to your current behavior. Make sure the behavior you choose to change is appropriate (i.e., it is a behavior you already engage in, it has a negative affect on your life, and it is something you have the ability and desire to change).
View Topic Examples
Step Three Find Sources
Use sources to learn the behavior you chose and how to change it, then use them as you write help establish your credibility. Use the sources in your project by; directly quoting from the source; paraphrasing sentences or paragraphs; or by summarizing the entire item. Different types of sources provide different types of information about a topic. Often, the best sources are behind the paywall (not freely accessible) and need to be purchased or accessed for free through the library. The most recommended sources to use for this project are Articles, Videos, Books, and Websites.
Find Articles Find Videos Find Books Find Websites
Step Four Evaluate Sources
Evaluate each resource that you come across, including websites, by asking the following questions:
- Current? Is this current to my topic?
- References? Does the author or entity support their statements with data or citations?
- Appropriate? Is the length and type of information presented appropriately for a college-level project?
- Authority? Is the author or entity an expert and qualified to write on this topic?
- Authenticity? Does the source of information and all of its supporting documentation seem truthful and legitimate?
- Purpose? Is this item written for the general public or scholarly reasons?
View Evaluating Sources Tutorial
Step Five Cite Sources
Use sources that you found in your project by paraphrasing sentences or paragraphs; or by summarizing the entire item. You must always make sure to use an in-text citation after each source used, even if you are not directly quoting the source. Then have the full citation for the item you used in your References list to avoid PLAGIARISM.
What Is Plagiarism? APA Citing Noodletools