Source 1
Bibliography:
Ioan, C. C., & Carcea, I. M. (2017). STUDY OF VOCATIONAL INTERESTS OF STUDENTS IN ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING FIELD. Environmental Engineering & Management Journal (EEMJ), 16(4), 989-996. Web. 3 Oct. 2017.
Summary:
The introduction provides very important insight into what the study consisted of – the collection of vocational interests students studying environmental engineering have. It is mainly a background to get the big picture of what vocational interest is, and how it was used to measure the potential success levels of students in the future. The second section, “Methodology” goes over how the research conducted was a part of a much larger study conducted by specialists within the psychology and sociology fields from the same university to help increase the professional success of students as a whole. It describes the various categories students were placed into – JVIS, and OT1-OT10. These personality traits coincide with the level of success students have the potential to obtain throughout their career. The third section goes into great detail about the data collected and how it was interpreted. This is incredibly important in the fact that those interested in a career in environmental engineering can determine whether or not it’s the right fit for them. Section four concludes the study with a summarization of all findings, as well as data comparisons. This gives readers the ability to gain more insight into the conclusions presented and whether those studying in the environmental engineering field are comparable in traits to those working the professional field. The vast majority of students who took part in the study (86%) fit the profile of those currently working in the field. Citations of sources used to back up this information are included on the final page, and give readers the opportunity to learn more about past studies.
Potential Quotes:
“The diagnosis value of the results indicates the compatibility degree between… [the student]…and that of professionals working in the field (Abstract, paragraph 1).”
“…it is important to notice that vocational interest in a given field… is an essential component of the professional attitude (Introduction, paragraph 1).”
“The dimension which ‘combines aspects connected with the awareness of one’s own interests…and preferences is the vocational identity (Introduction, paragraph 4).”
“…considerable interest for professional development measures over 55%, compared to the average value of interests shown by the general population of the same age (Data analysis and interpretation, paragraph 3).”
“A majority of 86% of this sample show a solid profile of professional interests, which represents an important premise in the anticipation of a vocational professional activity (Conclusions, paragraph 1).”
Assessment:
This source comes from the Environmental Engineering and Management Journal, which is written by highly-accredited professors and engineers who specialize in this job field. Both authors come from the Technical University of Iasi, and have conducted several studies involving the progression of environmental engineering students who have attended the university. Throughout the article, statements are backed up with quotes and facts sited from various other documents, making this an even more credible source than a simple study without any background research.
Reflection:
I will potentially use this document to back up the fact that a) there is a small majority of women in this engineering field, and b) to analyze the possibility that I will continue to follow through in pursuing this career as I go about my undergraduate studies. The article provides insight into current students going through the steps to receive their degree in environmental engineering, which will help me gain insight into what I am going to get myself into in the future
Ioan, C. C., & Carcea, I. M. (2017). STUDY OF VOCATIONAL INTERESTS OF STUDENTS IN ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING FIELD. Environmental Engineering & Management Journal (EEMJ), 16(4), 989-996. Web. 3 Oct. 2017.
Summary:
The introduction provides very important insight into what the study consisted of – the collection of vocational interests students studying environmental engineering have. It is mainly a background to get the big picture of what vocational interest is, and how it was used to measure the potential success levels of students in the future. The second section, “Methodology” goes over how the research conducted was a part of a much larger study conducted by specialists within the psychology and sociology fields from the same university to help increase the professional success of students as a whole. It describes the various categories students were placed into – JVIS, and OT1-OT10. These personality traits coincide with the level of success students have the potential to obtain throughout their career. The third section goes into great detail about the data collected and how it was interpreted. This is incredibly important in the fact that those interested in a career in environmental engineering can determine whether or not it’s the right fit for them. Section four concludes the study with a summarization of all findings, as well as data comparisons. This gives readers the ability to gain more insight into the conclusions presented and whether those studying in the environmental engineering field are comparable in traits to those working the professional field. The vast majority of students who took part in the study (86%) fit the profile of those currently working in the field. Citations of sources used to back up this information are included on the final page, and give readers the opportunity to learn more about past studies.
Potential Quotes:
“The diagnosis value of the results indicates the compatibility degree between… [the student]…and that of professionals working in the field (Abstract, paragraph 1).”
“…it is important to notice that vocational interest in a given field… is an essential component of the professional attitude (Introduction, paragraph 1).”
“The dimension which ‘combines aspects connected with the awareness of one’s own interests…and preferences is the vocational identity (Introduction, paragraph 4).”
“…considerable interest for professional development measures over 55%, compared to the average value of interests shown by the general population of the same age (Data analysis and interpretation, paragraph 3).”
“A majority of 86% of this sample show a solid profile of professional interests, which represents an important premise in the anticipation of a vocational professional activity (Conclusions, paragraph 1).”
Assessment:
This source comes from the Environmental Engineering and Management Journal, which is written by highly-accredited professors and engineers who specialize in this job field. Both authors come from the Technical University of Iasi, and have conducted several studies involving the progression of environmental engineering students who have attended the university. Throughout the article, statements are backed up with quotes and facts sited from various other documents, making this an even more credible source than a simple study without any background research.
Reflection:
I will potentially use this document to back up the fact that a) there is a small majority of women in this engineering field, and b) to analyze the possibility that I will continue to follow through in pursuing this career as I go about my undergraduate studies. The article provides insight into current students going through the steps to receive their degree in environmental engineering, which will help me gain insight into what I am going to get myself into in the future
Source 2
Bibliography:
Glossner, Stephen J., Sanjeev Adhikari, and Hans Chapman. "Assessing the Cost of Effectiveness of LEED Certified Homes in Kentucky." Journal of Technology Studies 41.1 (2015): 10-19. Galileo Virtual Library. University System of Georgia, 1 Mar. 2015. Web. 26 Jan. 2018.
Summary:
As the United States continues to develop, owning a home has gradually become more and more expensive over the last decade. In response to this, the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) created the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Initiative (LEED). This allows for eco-friendly buildings to receive merit for utilizing cost-effective materials that put a lesser strain on the environment than typical buildings normally do. As a result, engineers from the Journal of Technology Studies took part in a study that assessed the overall cost effectiveness of eco-friendly, LEED certified homes within several homes in Kentucky. Over the course of about ten years, they took into account the payback rate and average, monthly utility bills. The results proved that LEED certified homes, on average, save more money in the long run even if the initial cost is slightly more than with average home construction.
Potential Quotes:
“In 2010, the United States consumed…19% of the world’s energy for that year. Of that 19%, 81% came from fossil fuels alone,” (Page 10, Introduction).
“Since 2000, the LEED program has been at the forefront of sustainability in the commercial industry,” (Page 10, Introduction).
“A significant finding…[in the data]…is that all four counties the LEED Certified level had a payback period between 19 and 21 years,” (Page 16, Payback and Mortgage Analysis).
“[In 2007] there were 392 certified residential homes, while in the last recorded year, 2013, there were 17,000 residential units were certified.” (Page 10, Introduction).
“Findings from this study show that when the total building cost per square foot of the LEED certified banks were compared with the eight non-LEED certified banks, they were within the square footage costs for all ten banks,” (Page 11, Brief History of LEED).
“The study found that the costs of the LEED Certified Level to be minimal; the average of the median values was just under $5,500 for all four counties,” (Page 17, Recommendations).
“It is suggested that the banking industry provide lower interest rates on mortgage loans to those building LEED-certified homes,” (Page 18, Recommendations).
“According to the USBGC, LEED for home projects, on average, are 20% to 30% more efficient than a typical residential project built to code,” (Page 13, Cost Effectiveness of LEED Certified Homes).
Assessment:
This source is comes from the Journal of Technology Studies, which is written by professors from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. All three of the authors are knowledgeable in the world of eco-friendly architecture and the impact that it has on the community. Alongside the findings of their research, there are sources to back up their statements and facts. All of the chosen sources for the article come from credible sites as well, including the USGBC and the Database of State Incentives for Renewable and Efficiency.
Reflection:
I plan to use this source to back up the benefits of LEED and why it hasn’t been as widespread as it could be. While this study was conducted in Kentucky, it still is beneficial to see how, once LEED is implemented, it spreads throughout a community. With LEED Certification comes a lot of decreased costs in regards to utility bills and upkeep. Having data from the study within the article allows me to show how LEED affects every day people in positive ways. This article provides insight into how LEED has impacted several communities in a variety of ways, and can continue to assert my reasoning behind why it is such an important thing to have.
Glossner, Stephen J., Sanjeev Adhikari, and Hans Chapman. "Assessing the Cost of Effectiveness of LEED Certified Homes in Kentucky." Journal of Technology Studies 41.1 (2015): 10-19. Galileo Virtual Library. University System of Georgia, 1 Mar. 2015. Web. 26 Jan. 2018.
Summary:
As the United States continues to develop, owning a home has gradually become more and more expensive over the last decade. In response to this, the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) created the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Initiative (LEED). This allows for eco-friendly buildings to receive merit for utilizing cost-effective materials that put a lesser strain on the environment than typical buildings normally do. As a result, engineers from the Journal of Technology Studies took part in a study that assessed the overall cost effectiveness of eco-friendly, LEED certified homes within several homes in Kentucky. Over the course of about ten years, they took into account the payback rate and average, monthly utility bills. The results proved that LEED certified homes, on average, save more money in the long run even if the initial cost is slightly more than with average home construction.
Potential Quotes:
“In 2010, the United States consumed…19% of the world’s energy for that year. Of that 19%, 81% came from fossil fuels alone,” (Page 10, Introduction).
“Since 2000, the LEED program has been at the forefront of sustainability in the commercial industry,” (Page 10, Introduction).
“A significant finding…[in the data]…is that all four counties the LEED Certified level had a payback period between 19 and 21 years,” (Page 16, Payback and Mortgage Analysis).
“[In 2007] there were 392 certified residential homes, while in the last recorded year, 2013, there were 17,000 residential units were certified.” (Page 10, Introduction).
“Findings from this study show that when the total building cost per square foot of the LEED certified banks were compared with the eight non-LEED certified banks, they were within the square footage costs for all ten banks,” (Page 11, Brief History of LEED).
“The study found that the costs of the LEED Certified Level to be minimal; the average of the median values was just under $5,500 for all four counties,” (Page 17, Recommendations).
“It is suggested that the banking industry provide lower interest rates on mortgage loans to those building LEED-certified homes,” (Page 18, Recommendations).
“According to the USBGC, LEED for home projects, on average, are 20% to 30% more efficient than a typical residential project built to code,” (Page 13, Cost Effectiveness of LEED Certified Homes).
Assessment:
This source is comes from the Journal of Technology Studies, which is written by professors from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. All three of the authors are knowledgeable in the world of eco-friendly architecture and the impact that it has on the community. Alongside the findings of their research, there are sources to back up their statements and facts. All of the chosen sources for the article come from credible sites as well, including the USGBC and the Database of State Incentives for Renewable and Efficiency.
Reflection:
I plan to use this source to back up the benefits of LEED and why it hasn’t been as widespread as it could be. While this study was conducted in Kentucky, it still is beneficial to see how, once LEED is implemented, it spreads throughout a community. With LEED Certification comes a lot of decreased costs in regards to utility bills and upkeep. Having data from the study within the article allows me to show how LEED affects every day people in positive ways. This article provides insight into how LEED has impacted several communities in a variety of ways, and can continue to assert my reasoning behind why it is such an important thing to have.
Source 3
Biblography:
Sandoval, Pavel, and Aseem Prakash. "The Gold Rush: The Popularity of the Gold Tier in Leed Certification." Environmental Policy & Governance 26.6 (2016): 543-55. Galileo Virtual Library. University System of Georgia, Winter 2016. Web. 20 Feb. 2018.
Summary:
The majority of this article focuses on the background information to allow for readers to understand why the study was conducted. According to the statistics on the amount of LEED certified buildings, there are more Gold tier certified buildings than there are platinum, silver, and certified. The history of the LEED program, how certifications are met, and the overview of how contractors profit from LEED investments is explained in great depth over the first five pages. Following this background information, the data of the study is presented and analyzed. For the study, 144 owners and managers of LEED buildings from 27 states and Washington D.C. were interviewed anonymously on their reasons for choosing the LEED level they did for their buildings. The results were astounding. The reasoning behind so many Gold tier certified buildings has to do with the gap of required points between Gold and Platinum certification. There is a gap of 20 points between the two, whereas there are only 10 between the rest. Following the results of the interviews, a cost-benefit analysis is taken into consideration for the reasoning behind Gold versus Platinum certification. A small conclusion wraps up the entirety of the article, and provides readers with a summarized look of the entire study, answering the questions presented in the introduction.
Potential Quotes:
“LEED certification is the most prominent voluntary environmental program for built environments,” (Abstract, 543).
“These programs will attract firms because environmental stewardship is profitable, and are therefore crucial examples of communitarian modes of regulation,” (Introduction, 544).
“Successful tiering [in LEED] requires a certain level of sophistication on the part of the buyers/renters of properties,” (The LEED Program, 545).
“LEED can be viewed as a multi-stakeholder club that reflects the views of builders, architects, and the construction industry as well as environmental advocacy organizations on how buildings should seek to reduce their environmental impacts,” (The LEED Program, 546).
“LEED buildings attain a given tier once they achieve a minimum number of points based on their ‘credit activities,’” (The LEED Program, 546).
“The issue of return on investment, in particular, was quite important [to the LEED certification process],” (Program Design and the Tiered System, 550).
“Gold [certification] benefits from the economies of scale from the projects that are applicable to almost all buildings such as water efficient landscaping. Achieving Platinum is cost-prohibiting because you have to invest in projects that are particular to that specific building,” (Program Design and the Tiered System, 550).
“Given that an investment in Gold [tiering] tends to pay off, Gold becomes the preferred tier and favors the lower tiers,” (Path Dependency and Prior Experience, 552).
Assessment:
This source comes from the Environmental Policy and Governance Journal which is written by highly-accredited professors and engineers who specialize in environmentally-friendly, sustainable structures. Both authors are from the department of political science at the Center for Environmental Politics at the University of Washington, and have spent years studying and teaching. Within their article, numerous footnotes are present with the detailed information as to where they found the specific data that they researched outside of the study, as well as a references page at the end, allowing for readers to further delve into this topic.
Reflection:
I plan to use this article to explain what each of the LEED certification levels mean and the requirements needed for each tier. Alongside this, I have the ability to back up the statistics as to why certain certification levels are more popular than others, and the factor that contribute to the strange percentages of Gold versus Platinum certifications. Having this extra knowledge about LEED popularity levels allows me to gain a better understanding of the spread of eco-friendly buildings and the intensity that each level requires from the building owner(s) or renter(s) as they operate inside of it.
Sandoval, Pavel, and Aseem Prakash. "The Gold Rush: The Popularity of the Gold Tier in Leed Certification." Environmental Policy & Governance 26.6 (2016): 543-55. Galileo Virtual Library. University System of Georgia, Winter 2016. Web. 20 Feb. 2018.
Summary:
The majority of this article focuses on the background information to allow for readers to understand why the study was conducted. According to the statistics on the amount of LEED certified buildings, there are more Gold tier certified buildings than there are platinum, silver, and certified. The history of the LEED program, how certifications are met, and the overview of how contractors profit from LEED investments is explained in great depth over the first five pages. Following this background information, the data of the study is presented and analyzed. For the study, 144 owners and managers of LEED buildings from 27 states and Washington D.C. were interviewed anonymously on their reasons for choosing the LEED level they did for their buildings. The results were astounding. The reasoning behind so many Gold tier certified buildings has to do with the gap of required points between Gold and Platinum certification. There is a gap of 20 points between the two, whereas there are only 10 between the rest. Following the results of the interviews, a cost-benefit analysis is taken into consideration for the reasoning behind Gold versus Platinum certification. A small conclusion wraps up the entirety of the article, and provides readers with a summarized look of the entire study, answering the questions presented in the introduction.
Potential Quotes:
“LEED certification is the most prominent voluntary environmental program for built environments,” (Abstract, 543).
“These programs will attract firms because environmental stewardship is profitable, and are therefore crucial examples of communitarian modes of regulation,” (Introduction, 544).
“Successful tiering [in LEED] requires a certain level of sophistication on the part of the buyers/renters of properties,” (The LEED Program, 545).
“LEED can be viewed as a multi-stakeholder club that reflects the views of builders, architects, and the construction industry as well as environmental advocacy organizations on how buildings should seek to reduce their environmental impacts,” (The LEED Program, 546).
“LEED buildings attain a given tier once they achieve a minimum number of points based on their ‘credit activities,’” (The LEED Program, 546).
“The issue of return on investment, in particular, was quite important [to the LEED certification process],” (Program Design and the Tiered System, 550).
“Gold [certification] benefits from the economies of scale from the projects that are applicable to almost all buildings such as water efficient landscaping. Achieving Platinum is cost-prohibiting because you have to invest in projects that are particular to that specific building,” (Program Design and the Tiered System, 550).
“Given that an investment in Gold [tiering] tends to pay off, Gold becomes the preferred tier and favors the lower tiers,” (Path Dependency and Prior Experience, 552).
Assessment:
This source comes from the Environmental Policy and Governance Journal which is written by highly-accredited professors and engineers who specialize in environmentally-friendly, sustainable structures. Both authors are from the department of political science at the Center for Environmental Politics at the University of Washington, and have spent years studying and teaching. Within their article, numerous footnotes are present with the detailed information as to where they found the specific data that they researched outside of the study, as well as a references page at the end, allowing for readers to further delve into this topic.
Reflection:
I plan to use this article to explain what each of the LEED certification levels mean and the requirements needed for each tier. Alongside this, I have the ability to back up the statistics as to why certain certification levels are more popular than others, and the factor that contribute to the strange percentages of Gold versus Platinum certifications. Having this extra knowledge about LEED popularity levels allows me to gain a better understanding of the spread of eco-friendly buildings and the intensity that each level requires from the building owner(s) or renter(s) as they operate inside of it.