Eve Chase

January 9, 2017
Independent Research G/T
Final Annotated Source List
Applegate, Z. (2013, December 16). Coral reef decline [Video file]. Retrieved from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn4fFaH_tzk
Summary:
Decline of coral reefs is greatly affected by global warming. Global warming creates
excess of carbon dioxide in the air, creating carbonic acid dissolving into the ocean water,
causing the pH level to lower. When it lowers, organisms dissolve and die off.
Application to Research:
This is great information for my topic because I have not read about the affect of crbon
dioxide on the reefs yet. This is a new subtopic of my topic that I can now research deeper. The
video was also easy to understand and fairly recent.
Bertolani, F. (2015, November 29). Plastic pollution in the ocean [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFUHLtaTazQ
Summary:
The YouTube video gave examples of how humans pollution affects the animals and
humans themselves. The plastics put into the ocean are toxic and cause some animals to mistake
it for food. The plastics in the ocean are not just physically toxic but chemically. These cause the
deaths of fish and contaminate the water affecting humans health and safety. The pollution needs
to be stopped before it gets worse and is irreversible.
Application to research:
The video is very helpful in that it was easy to understand and recent data. It included
recent data from studies of the deaths and extinction of fish. It is a doorway into more about the
effect of pollution on marine life and human life.

Birkeland, C. (2016, December 6). [Personal interview by the author].

Summary:
In my interview with Charles Birkeland, a marine biologist from the University of
Hawaii, we discussed the effects of corals decline and bleaching on fish populations. He
explained the chain effect with the death of coral and fish. Without the coral, fish tend to leave
the coral, limiting their food supply and habitats. They essentially become homeless and must
find new schools and homes. In the future, some populations could face extinction due to the loss

of food supply. A species he mentioned that are at a loss are butterfly fish, disappearing from the
coral when it is bleached.
Application to Research:
My interviewee was very open and gave very detailed answers to my questions. He also
helped my research, giving me inside info on what scientists are worried about for the future and
what they talked about at a recent conference. He was very helpful and sent me chapters from his
book he recently published. His information has helped my research a lot, giving me answers to
questions I could not find online.
Causes of death of coral reefs. (n.d.). Retrieved October 10, 2016, from Sea World website:
https://seaworld.org/en/animal-info/animal-infobooks/coral-and-coral-reefs/longevityand-causes-of-death
Summary:
The webpage explains the causes of death to coral reefs. Predators such as parrot fish,
butterflyfishes and sea stars can harm the coral reef polyps. Ocean pollution can poison the coral
and kill it. Including chemicals and sewage runoff from land can lead into the ocean and
contaminate the coral terminating its life. The articles says touching and breaking off coral can
cause death and even over harvesting conchs or lobsters, etc. can cause the coral to lose nutrients
and possible food sources tampering with the food chain. The decline of coral reefs, also due to
bleaching, are killing all fish, causing a decrease in population which could negatively affect
human resources and fishing market.
Application to research:
This article is important to my research because it is straight to the point and easy to read.
It is backed by Sea World which is known for top notch marine biologists and continually
updated information, helping me get closer to my hypothesis.
Cho, R. (2011, June 13). Losing our coral reefs. Retrieved October 12, 2016, from State of the
planet website: http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2011/06/13/losing-our-coral-reefs/
Summary:
This webpage article is about the decline of coral reefs. They are in danger and it states
that WRI projects that 90% of coral reefs will be in danger by 2030, and all of them by 2050.
Coral reefs are colonies of organisms, polyps. They eat plankton and have symbiotic relationship
with the algae zooxanthellae. The algae give the coral nutrients, coloring, and oxygen while the
coral gives the algae a place to live and go through photosynthesis. When coral is bleached, the
algae are excreted, losing little by little of algae until the coral results in death. Coral can come
back from bleaching, only if there is still a little algae left in the coral. If the algae recolonize, the
coral can recover from the bleaching.
Application to Research:
This article is very helpful to my research, showing how bleaching can affect not only
coral, but the symbiotic relationship between coral and algae. This opens my research into

finding out more symbiotic relationships coral has, and how they are affected by the decline of
coral.

Coral Reef Conservation Program. (2009). Florida's coral reef protection act. Coral Reef
Conservation Program.
Summary:
This brochure is about the new government regulations passed in Florida, in 2009,
protecting and conserving coral reefs. It explains protocols and contact if coral is damaged or
abused. It is a paper source provided by the Coral Reef Conservation Program and is used to
publicize the decline of coral and fish. Government regulations in Florida include fines for
damaging and polluting coral. This source also provides information on how the public is
affected by the new regulations and laws.
Application to Research:
This brochure relates to my research because it shows the governments involvement in
the conservation of coral reefs. It is helpful to know what regulations have been passed, even if it
is just one state, and is necessary for furthering my research. It is also an example of real paper
resource that was publicized, helping make corals decline known and saved. This also helps my
research in the fact of finding an answer to my overall question/ problem: How are coral reefs
declining, and how does this affect humans?

Hunter, C. (2016, December 5). [Telephone interview by the author].

Summary:
In my interview with Cynthia Hunter, a marine biologist and professor at the University
of Hawaii, we discussed the effects of global warming and how it has caused a great decline of
reefs. She explained the cause of global warming, fossil fuels and pollution, and mentioned how
it then has transferred effects to the ocean water. It heats up the water, causing immense
bleaching and killing the coral. The only way to stop global warming and reverse it is for people
to stop polluting and limit our use of fossil fuels.
Application to Research:
The interview was one of my most important sources. It helped my research so much,
finally getting to answer some of my unanswered questions hand on and all at once. It was very
easy to contact her, although the time difference was a difficult factor it was doable. I was very
happy with the turnout of the interview and how welcoming my interviewee was. She was very
open to all my questions.
Innis, M. (2016, April 9). Climate-related death of coral around the world alarms scientists. The
New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/10/world/asia/climaterelated-death-of-coral-around-world-alarms-scientists.html?_r=0

Summary:
This newspaper article by the New York Times explains the affects and outcomes if the
coral reefs keep decreasing. Fisherman and jobs that rely on the ocean will start to decrease do to
less of a supply of fish and contaminated resources and water. Without the reefs that provide
nutrients to the oceans fish and plant life nothing will survive and be able to thrive in an
environment with little oxygen. In 1998, the global warming effect of El Nino caused major
deaths and bleaching of coral damaging it and killing a large amount of it.
Application to research:
This newspaper article helps me see where the global warming, El Nino, began and how
it has affected the reefs leading up to recent years. I can add this data to my other research and
compare the effects of the deaths of coral, backing up my information and proving its authentic
and reliable.

International Coral Reef Initiative. (n.d.). Status of and threat to coral reefs. Retrieved January 8,
2017, from http://www.icriforum.org/about-coral-reefs/status-and-threat-coral-reefs
Summary:
This webpage from International Coral Reef Initiative gives great detail into factors of
why coral reefs are at a decline. Unlike other articles, this one goes farther than just pollution and
global warming, and focuses on the causes that are often overlooked, such as: tourism, coastal
development, overfishing, aquariums, and coral disease. It discusses how diseases can ruin coral
and tourism has had lasting effect on corals because of tourists abusing and breaking coral.
Application to Research:
This webpage is perfect for my research because of the depth of it. It gives details often
overlooked and described each cause with great description. I am happy that I found this website
because they have multiple other articles that are helpful to my research and can further my
studies.

Marine Conservation Institute. (n.d.). Ocean governance. Retrieved December 21, 2016, from
https://marine-conservation.org/what-we-do/program-areas/ ocean-governance/
Summary:
This webpage, suggested by the email response from the Marine Conservation Institute
discusses the governments attempts to stop the decline of coral reefs. Recently, 1,600 scientists
signed a letter to President Obama to consider more protection and laws for the ocean and marine
life. In this year, starting June 15, 2016, three bills regarding the protection of oceans have been
sent to congress to be discussed on the house floors, hoping to make it to the presidents office to
be passed. Most of these bills contain rules of overfishing and marine life conservation.
Application to Research:

This is a very helpful article, showing how the government has interacted with the
decline of corals and their support. Other articles have discussed more support needed by the
government, but this one gives live updates on bills presented in congress.

McCarthy, O. (2015, November 20). Four countries that took big steps in 2015. Retrieved
December 23, 2016, from https://howtoconserve.org/2015/11/20/marine-protected-areas/
Summary:
This webpage discusses the top 4 countries that, in some way, helped to protect the
oceans and marine life in 2015. Palau was one of them, working towards ocean protection by
creating temporary no fish zones, called buls, to limit the fish intake, switching the areas in order
to make sure each area gets a chance to respawn fish. It spent $53,000 in expenses. New Zealand
made efforts by shutting the second biggest ocean trench in the world, in New Zealand waters,
down from fishing and mining. They created a marine reserve. The United Kingdom created
the largest contiguous marine reserve in the world and made fishing regulations. Chiles
government stepped in as well, creating the most marine reserves and parks. Also, not as a top
contender, but the U.S. proposed a plan to join in with New Zealand and protect a section of the
Ross Sea off the coast of Antarctica.
Application to Research:
This is extremely helpful to my research, helping further my information on which
governments have made efforts to save the oceans. I have little information on government plans,
as there are not many, so this is a good article for me.
McDermott, A. (2010, June). Effects of ocean pollution on marine life. Retrieved October 27,
2016, from lovetoknow.com website: http://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/
Effects_of_Ocean_Pollution_on_Marine_Life#rhTUETokQsESZ0O4.97
Summary:
This article describes how water pollution affects marine life. The affect it has on marine
animals is negative and fatal. The fish are being poisoned by the oil filling their lungs and
dying. Not only does this affect fish, it also affects humans. Humans are affected because
of the poisoned fish re harmful for humans to consume and harmful to their health. The
water dependable birds are also affected because of oil attracting to their wings and their
food supply, fish, getting poisoned.
Application to research:
This will help with my research because it is a possible research topic of choice. If I do
end up using this topic, this article helps me get one step closer to answering my research
question. It helps depict the problems that arise with the affect pollution has on animals.
When doing my research, I want to dig deeper into how to stop pollution and prevent it
from happening. Can we, as humans, in some way reverse time and save our oceans
before it is too late, and our animals are extinct?

National Ocean Council. (n.d.). National ocean policy implementation plan. Retrieved January 8,
2017, from https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/oceans/policy
Summary:
This webpage, run by the government, describes the efforts the government is making to
help stop the decline of coral reefs. It lists a recent policy put into effect by President Obama. It
is the National Ocean Policy Implementation Plan and is purposed to have more citizens
involved with the preservation of oceans and give federal input. The policy is suppose to boost
government involvement with occurring wildlife reserve and oceanic issues.
Application to Research:
This is helpful to my research because it is an example of how the government is
involved in taking steps to stop the decline of reefs and limit pollution. The government is
making efforts to provide citizens with information on the condition of the oceans, meaning more
people will be aware of the reef epidemic.
National Ocean Service. (2011, December 8). Pollution can smother coral reefs, lower water
quality, and make corals more susceptible to disease. Retrieved October 11, 2016, from
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary website:
http://floridakeys.noaa.gov/corals/pollution.html
Summary:
This webpage explains that coral can be harmed by pollution. The pollution smothers the
coral and makes it hard for coral to reach food and grow algae. Algae is a main source of life for
coral and without it coral can die and bleach. Chemicals being flushed into the ocean cause
diseases for the coral and slow the reproduction of coral and other marine life. Harming other
marine life affects the coral as well, changing the food chain and ruining species.
Application to Research:
This article is very helpful in explaining the effects of human pollution in the oceans. The
website is a government website and reliable. Also, this website has tons of more easy to
understand webpages and drop down bars on expanded information on ocean pollution, marine
life and coral!
National Ocean Service. (2016, September 2). Protecting coral reefs. Retrieved
November 10, 2016, from National Ocean Service website:
http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_corals/coral11_protecting.html
Summary:
This article gives great detail into the history of the efforts taken to preserve coral reefs.
It states that in 1998 the president of the United States created the Coral Reef Task Force
(CTRF). The CTRF maps and monitors corals reefs in U.S. ocean waters. It conducts research on
the decline of coral reefs, its effects on humans, and works with its neighboring organization,
Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP), to preserve the reefs. Together the organizations

output ways of conservation and help the U.S. stop contribution towards the decline of reefs and
fish. They work closely with the National Ocean Service to help regenerate the harmed reefs and
build back fallen populations of species. The Natl Ocean Service monitors the reefs with a buoy
system, measuring salt levels, temperature, chemicals, etc.
Application to Research:
This article is a great way to see how the U.S. is regulating and contributing to saving the
coral reefs. It shows how not only scientists and nature organizations can try to help our waters,
but a higher power is involved too. This website, National Ocean Service, has great articles on
more about the governments involvement, problems within the ocean, and the decline and
effects of the coral reefs, with updated results regularly.
National Ocean Service. (2016, March 17). What is coral bleaching? Retrieved October 11, 2016,
from http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/coral_bleach.html
Summary:
The webpage explains how coral is bleached and what exactly that means. Coral is
bleached when the water temperature is warmer or cooler than normal and it stresses the coral,
not killing it though. When coral is bleached it excretes the algae in it and causes it to turn white.
Coral can come back after being bleached, but if too much of the coral around it is killed or
damaged and it cannot regrow or have life around it, it dies.
Application to Research:
This article helps me further my research. It is government backed and is quite reliable. I
can easily understand the data and can put my prior knowledge with coral bleaching, and this
report and further my collected data.
National Ocean Service. (2016, September 2). What are the three main types of coral reefs?
Retrieved October 21, 2016, from National Ocean Service website:
http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/threecorals.html
Summary:
The article from the N.O.S. talks about the different types of coral reefs in the ocean.
There are three types, fringing, barrier, and atoll. Fringing grows seaweed from the ocean shore
out into the ocean and is a boarder for along shorelines. Barrier reefs are reefs away from shore,
most often in deep water. Atolls are formed when volcanic islands sink; creating a fringing-like
reef, open in the middle like a lagoon. Coral reefs are very important to the ocean and
economically.
Application to Research:
The article defining the different coral reefs is very helpful to my research. It gives me
background on my topic and helps me narrow down what type of reef I am reading about in other
sources. The website itself is credited, and is government website giving plenty of good insight
and other helpful articles I can use for future research on my topic.

Ocko, I. (2016). What sparked global warming? Retrieved December 4, 2016, from EDF.com
website: https://www.edf.org/climate/what-sparked-global-warming-people-did
Summary:
This article describes the growth and effect of global warming. Air pollution and harmful
gases in the atmosphere create a cloud of pollution layering atmosphere, creating an insulation
blanket trapping in heat from the sun. With this, extreme climate changes are taking place and
affecting coral reefs and other ecosystems. Humans are a major cause of this, polluting the
atmosphere with harmful gasses from cars, plains, and trains, etc. Also, humans are cutting down
large amounts of forest, causing the usual inhibitors that take in carbon dioxide to be killed,
leaving a harmful pollutant to fill up the atmosphere without any source of escape. Without the
trees to take in the carbon, our atmospheres cloud of pollutant gases is growing and trapping
more heat adding the decline of coral reefs and other life on Earth.
Application to Research:
This article is a great source of information, adding to the backup of information for my
research. It is helping explain the cause of global warming which is a major cause of bleaching
and the decline of coral reefs.
Parker, L. (2015, January 15). As oceans heat up, a race to save world's coral reef. Retrieved
October 10, 2016, from National Geographic website:
t`http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2015/01/151015/coral-reef-death-climatechange-science-animals/
Summary:
The website article talks about the effects of bleaching on Florida, and most of the
worlds coral reefs. Bleaching is the effect of the temperature changing, rising or lowering,
killing off food supply for the coral, causing the coral to die and turn white. Chris Langdon, an
oceanographer, is quoted multiple times explaining his ventures 15 feet below the ocean surface
examining reefs 100s of yards long in Key Largo, Florida. Langdon has worked towards saving
reefs by producing his own coral in his lab and then planting it on the ocean floor hoping it will
flourish and mass produce.
Application to Research:
This article is very helpful to my research by explaining effects of temperature, and even
possible global warming, on coral reefs. There are multiple sources killing coral but this article
focused mostly on temperature, helping me center my attention on a single branch of my
research topic. It is especially helpful to my research because it is from a credited source and is
fairly recent. This article helps me dig deeper into my research.

Parker, L. (2016, May 2). Floridas coral reef is disintegrating. RetrievedDecember 4, 2016, from
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/05/160502-reef-florida-acidification-fish/
miami/
Summary:

This article explains that Floridas coral reefs are declining way faster than scientists
predicted. They predicted that reefs serious decline wasnt going to hit unto 2050 or 2060 but it
is quickly declining now. Global warming is a huge impact on the reefs, making the water pH
levels rise with acidity and kill the coral. Scientists are looking for ways to reverse this massive
destruction of reefs, and a new research proposal is to find sustainable coral species that can
withstand the bleaching, and transplant it into failing reefs to help them build back up.
Application to Research:
This article is good for my research because it shows how the corals are being affected in
recent times. I also did not know this information about Floridas incredible decline previous to
this article. The article is very detailed and credible.

[Special issue]. (2015). Reef Encounter, 30(1). Retrieved from http://coralreefs.org/wp

content/uploads/2015/03/Reef-Encounter-March-2015-FINAL2-LOW-RES.pdf
Summary:
This journal is similar to a lab report, formatted with data, content, and a conclusion. It
addresses the decline of coral from the 1980s until 2015. It talks about coral conservation and
preservation with tourism. The journal is very detailed and has a page long list of references.
Application to research:
This journal is full of great contacts for my research. I can contact any of the editors
listed in it, and it has a big reference list. I am hopeful to consider it in my contact list. It also is a
recent source with old data as well, comparing corals from then and now making my research a
little easier.

Rocchio, L. (2012, January 26). Detecting detrimental change in coral reefs. Retrieved October
18, 2016, from NASA website: http://climate.nasa.gov/news/681/detecting-detrimentalchange-in-coral-reefs/
Summary:
This article from NASA is explained in oceanographer, Phil Dustins view on when he
found out in 1974 that his acquaintance, Jacques Cousteau,had been suspecting that he suspected
a decline in coral reefs due to human temperance. Dustin concluded, after many experiments and
test decades later, that Cousteau was correct in his theory. Dustin realized that bleaching and
destruction of the reefs linked back to human behaviors with pollution, traveling, tourism, etc.
Application to Research:
This is very relevant to my research because it proves that coral reefs have been being
looked at for decades and their decline has been noted. Knowing past history of my topic helps
me know where I stand today with it, and where I can go with the future of my topic. I hope to
use the past information, and link it to the present, to create a way to hypothesize the future in a

way. So far, this is the best article stating a theory of the decline of reefs due to humans that is
more than a single decade ago, it is three.
Saccomanno, S. (Personal communication, 2016, December 1)
Summary:
The Marine Conservation Institute emailed me back, following my interview request and
denied a live interview. They did though, send a few links to webpages that relate to coral reefs
and answer a few of my questions.
Application to Research:
Although the Marine Conservation Institute turned down my interview request, the links
they sent were very helpful. They are very busy, as assumed, but the thought that they emailed
me back, unlike some, was very considerate and helpful to my research.
Shaikh, T. (2011, July 13). Marine life facing mass extinction, report says. Retrieved September
15, 2016, from
http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/europe/06/21/ocean.extinction.global.warming/
Summary:
Marine life facing mass extinction, Report Says is an article from CNN.com discussing
the effects of pollution on marine life and the decline of marine ecosystems. The
extinction of animals and near extinction of marine life is charted as the worst its ever
been and is only rising. Pollution is a major factor of the decrease in ecosystems and
marine animals. Fish are dying and over fishing isnt a positive contribution to the cause.
Global warming, along with air pollution, has contaminated clean water and made it
difficult for life to live under water. The affect is bigger than just the ocean but it is
affecting humans as well. No fish, no food, no humans.
Application to Research:
This article is very helpful in my research topic because I am slowly leaning towards the
effects of pollution on the ocean and I this article may have sealed the deal. CNN.com is
also a very reliable source and I trust its information. I really like the website and its
organization, having a range of articles from years past up until now. I am excited to see
where this research takes me and what my research question becomes from this article.
Slezak, M. (2016, June 7). The Great Barrier Reef: A catastrophe laid bare. Retrieved December
4, 2016, from The Guardian website: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/
jun/07/the-great-barrier-reef-a-catastrophe-laid-bare
Summary:
The article produced by the Guardian discusses the decline of coral reefs and the effect
bleaching has had on the Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef, located in Australia is the
biggest reef on the planet, spanning over 2.3 million miles long. It is the largest living structure
in the world and has over 1,600 species of fish. The reef is facing the largest decline it has ever

faced before, experiencing major bleaching causing 22% of the reef to be completely dead. Not
to mention, 93% of the reef has experienced some amount of an effect from bleaching in the past
year. The reef has experienced serious declines in the recent past years due to climate change
rates increases and global warming raising each year.
Application to Research:
This article is a good way to show the span of my research and bleachings effect across
the world. It is also a wonderful help to discuss the major decline of the biggest living structure
in the world with my interviewee. This is a very popular current event, and is rapidly becoming
more serious as the effect of bleaching is affecting the coral more noticeably now more than ever
before.

Study Points to Growing Plastic Pollution in Lakes [Video file]. (2013).

Summary:
This Youtube Video describes the exact route plastic takes from leaving the factory to
the dump and then the ocean. It gave information on the chemical lechet that comes from plastic
that is very toxic, taking 1000 years to even begin to decompose. The currents of the ocean
collect the pollution and send it through the ocean transporting it from place to place. The fish
eat the plastic thinking it is food and it makes them think they are full, and then they starve.
Application to research:
The video was very helpful because it showed where the process of making plastic begins
and ends. It gave the overview of the whole process, giving an understanding on how the ocean
has gotten to the point of this much pollution. It will help me begin to start my research, learning
where to start from and where to track plastics routes into the ocean.
Wagner, L. (2015, October 20). Chemicals in sunscreen are harming coral reefs, says new study.
Retrieved November 10, 2016, from The Two-Way website:
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/10/20/450276158/chemicals-in-sunscreenare-harming-coral-reefs-says-new-study
Summary:
This article digs deep into a key factor of the decline of coral reefs: sunscreen. The
ingredient oxybenzone leaches the coral of its nutrients and bleaches it white. This
chemical can also cause setbacks in fish reproduction and growth. Scientists have found
that around 80% of coral in the Caribbean is harmed and depleting. This decline is due to
the humans using these harmful sunscreens instead of using ones with natural minerals
like zinc-oxide or titanium-oxide. Just washing off sunscreen in the shower can lead the
harmful chemicals into the ocean water contaminating the species of coral and fish on
this planet.
Application to Research:
This is the perfect article to add to my collection of research; it stated exact reasons of the
problem of toxic sunscreen, and how we can fix the issue of the harmful chemicals. The
article is a new reason for the cause of the decline of coral reefs. I liked how the article

stated a problem and a solution. Sunscreen is an added issue that needs to be fixed
throughout the world to save our oceans, and its doable.
Weier, J. (2001, March 12). Mapping the decline of coral reefs. Retrieved October 10, 2016,
from http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/ website:
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/Coral/
Summary:
The website article talks about the decline of coral reefs in the ocean. Coral reefs are
homes to fish and plant life and produce nutrients for the ocean. In 2001, the latest reports show
that almost 27% of reefs are gone. NASA has been using satellites to map the failing coral reefs,
and come up with a plan of how to save the reefs.
Application to Research:
This article is very helpful to my research. It is 14 years old, and it is backed up
information proving that my topic has been being studied for over a decade and counting. This
article is the start of scientists first using technology to save the oceans reefs and it is just the
start of what is now being done to save the reefs.

Vevers, R. (2015). Photo composite of before, during, and after bleaching at

Airport Reef, Tutuila [3 reef comparison].
Summary:
This photo shows the effects of bleaching over two years. It shows the original coral in
December 2014, the dying coral from bleaching in February 2015, and then the dead coral in
August 2015. It shows the effects rapid bleaching can have in just a few months, and the
environment changes that occur. The coloring in coral is gone, turned white, and the life has
declined, not showing any life in the dead coral photo.
Application to Research:
This is awesome for my research, having a visual representation to relate my data to. It is
hard to always imagine the results instead of seeing them. This is also more proof to my claims
and can help me back up my research.

Previous Topic:
ALS Association. (2016, June). Who gets ALS? Retrieved October 27, 2016, from
ALS Association website: http://www.alsa.org/about-als/
facts-you-should-know.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/
Summary:
This article from ALSA.org gives insight in the progression of the disease of ALS. It
describes the effects ALS has on its victims, families, and lifestyles. Everything changes when

ALS is diagnosed to someone. ALS is not a disease that is the same for each victim; it can be a
life sentence in a matter of weeks, or years to live. The article also addressed the new drug that
allows patients to live prolonged lives with the illness.
Application to research:
This article on ALS will help me narrow down my topic to research. I am not fully
decided on my topic and I find it helpful to read this article and gain insight. I want to know
more background about ALS before I potentially pick it as my research topic. I also want to gain
knowledge to form a good research question.