Research & Resources R&R

Jana Borchardt MLS-Library Science & MM-Music Theory

Take a little time to . . .

dream
reflect
explor
e
create a great paper
Flickr.com “Day 110: Judy and the Dream of Horses“ Margolove
 Research Process Model

Tip1: Research is
a process . . .

Q = Question/Query
T = Thinking
E = Exit

Bates, Marcia J. "The Design of Browsing and Berrypicking

Techniques for the Online Search Interface." Online Review 13 (October 1989): 407-
424.
 Topic Exploration
Exploration to Focus Formulation

Kuhlthau’s 4 Criteria
Choosing a topic and focusing it
¡Personal interest
¡Assignment
requirements
¡Information available
¡Time allotted

Tip2: choose a topic of interest

Topic Exploration
Tip3:
Seeking explore
Relevant your
Information topic before focusing
Encyclopedias, Dictionaries, Websites, Browsing Journals & Books
 Bo Diddley
Beginnings of Rock n’ Roll

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M
 Finding Resources
Reference Books – General Books – Journal Articles

Tip4: search via ECC Library Website

 Why use a database?

An example:
1) Title
2) Author
OPAC 3) Publisher
Online Journal Databases 4) Date
Student Records 5) Place of
Internet Movie Database
Publication
6) Contents
Notes

A database is only as good as its data!

 Exploring Resources - Books
lBOOKS
lECC Library Catalog (OPAC)
• Encyclopedias, books, videos
lCredo Reference (wikipedia
alternative)
lWorldcat (FirstSearch)

Tip5: find your keywords


 EXPLORE YOUR TOPIC (20MIN)

Tip6: think like the database

Focusing & Finding Resources
Online Journal
Databases
Opposing Viewpoints via InfoTrac

Expanded ASAP via InfoTrac

CQ Researcher

Academic Search Premier via EBSCO

FOCUS YOUR TOPIC (20MIN)

Tip7: use “AND” to focus your results

 Evaluating Resources
Evaluating Websites A – B –C



Authority/Accuracy
Check out the header and footer of the page.
Is the author’s education or experience related to the subject?
What is the sponsor’s mission or purpose for this site?

Bias (Point of view or Perspective)

Read the “About Us” or the “About this Site” information:
Does the page support a slanted opinion or a point of view?
Is the goal of the author to sell a product or convince readers that a
false claim true?

Currency/Coverage
Look for documentation
Are footnotes or references provided?
When was the information last updated?

Tip8: use critical thinking skills

l



Recap “Research & Resources”


l Appreciate that
research is a
process
l Select & focus your
topic
l Know three databases
by which to locate
relevant articles on
your topic
l List four tips for doing
research
l Name three criteria by
which to evaluate
websites & print
resources www.flickr.com Dinesh Cyanam,
l QUESTIONS? Physics Lecture Hall, Rutgers University