SFU Library Resources & Research CRIM 491 Chloe Riley Liaison Librarian Criminology, Psychology & Philosophy car11@sfu.ca

Outline 1. The Literature Search 2. Where to Search 3. Information Sources 4. Working your Topic

Outline 1. The Literature Search 2. Where to Search 3. Information Sources 4. Working your Topic

What is a Literature Search? “A systematic and thorough search of all types of published literature in order to identify as many items as possible that are relevant to a particular topic” (Ridley, 2008). Systematic = documented, planned, mindful Thorough = considered scope of research (broader, narrower and related concepts), inclusive of possibly contradictory data All types of info = range of databases, books, government documents, statistics, theses, etc.

The Literature Search To identify the field and specific context in which your work is situated. It can assist you in identifying your approach to the research and the methodology you wish to adopt. It will help you identify the type of data you might collect and use, sites of data collection, the sample size, and how you might analyze this data.

The Literature Search A means of extending your understanding of the key concepts, theories, and methodologies in your field. To find out what others have done in the area so as to avoid duplicating previous work. Identify key people, organizations, and texts which are relevant to your research.

Outline 1. The Literature Search 2. Where to Search 3. Information Sources 4. Working your Topic

Where to Search SFU Library: beyond books Notable Resources Over 2.5 million books (print & ebooks) 98,000 ejournals (and 2500 print) 500+ database subscriptions GIS data, maps, images, streaming music & movies, video games, etc. Research data library with specialized datasets Notable Resources Subject Research Guides Publication Type Research Guides Databases by Subject Area

Library Search Catalogue Search Library Databases Google Scholar Where to Search…? Library Search Catalogue Search Library Databases Google Scholar

Where to Search

Library Search Weaknesses: Broadest library search available Strengths: Divides search results by info type (books, journal articles, newspaper articles, digital collections, etc.) One click Quick way to access library-authored and library-curated content, such as Summit (SFU’s Institutional Repository) Library FAQs Library Research Guides Weaknesses: Not robust for topical and advanced info searching Searches many but not all of the databases Best for known items

Library Search Searches books, articles, newspapers, etc. PLUS the library’s website (FAQS, Research Guides, Summit, etc.) Criminology 220

Where to Search

Catalogue Search Strengths: Very comprehensive scope of books, articles, maps, movies, government reports, etc. Search for books and articles at the same time. Use of filters to narrow down results, including by date, type of resource, subject, etc. Excellent for book searching, including searching by subject headings Good for: do we have it? Weaknesses: Searches many but not all of the databases May need to sign in with SFU Computing ID to see all results Not mapped to a specific discipline, with associated beneficial search limiters and features (controlled vocabularies, populations, etc.)

Catalogue Search

Google Scholar Strengths The most popular articles are revealed A high volume of articles are retrieved Google's algorithm helps compensate for poorly designed searches A search feature allow you to search within articles citing your key article Excellent for known-item searching and locating a quote/citation Helpful when searching for very unique terminology (e.g., places and people) Times cited tool can help identify relevant articles Extensive searching of non-article, but academic, information items: universities' institutional repositories, US case law, grey literature, academic websites, etc.

Google Scholar Weaknesses Database is not mapped to a specific discipline Much less search sophistication & manipulation supported Psuedo-Boolean operators Mysterious algorithms & unknown source coverage at odds with the systematic and transparent mandate of a literature review. Searches are optimized (for example, by your location), thwarting the replicability criteria of most literature review types Challenging to run searches that involve common words (e.g., art + time) New articles might not be pushed up if the popularity of an article is emphasized Missing deep data (e.g., statistics) Indexes articles from predatory publishers Articles are not usually free – just the indexing

Subject-Specific Databases Examples: PsycINFO, Criminal Justice Abstracts, Sociological Abstracts, Westlaw Next Canada Strengths Mapped to a disciplinary perspective High quality metadata Search limiters unique to discipline, allow fine-tuning of search results Search history and search sets Subject headings that are key to a lit review Weaknesses More time-consuming to use More particular / technical to search (varies)

Outline 1. The Literature Search 2. Where to Search 3. Information Sources 4. Working your Topic

Information Sources: Databases The usual suspects for Crim articles: Criminology databases: Criminal Justice Abstracts National Criminal Justice Reference Service Other discipline-based databases: PsycINFO Sociological Abstracts General databases: Academic Search Complete Web of Science The above are great for journal articles.

Information Sources Encyclopedias Overview of your topic / the “big picture” Particularly helpful if working outside your area Written with the academic in mind, often by specialists in the field Use the bibliography to identify key articles, studies, authors, etc. Examples: Gale Virtual Reference Library (multiple subject areas) Sage eReference(about 15 Crim titles) Encyclopedia of Criminology and Criminal Justice

Information Sources Oxford Bibliographies Online Subject module for Criminology Written and peer-reviewed by international experts “Crime Victims' Rights Movement” “Routine Activity Theories” Provides: Key Readings Ideas for keywords for searching

Information Sources Additional sources PC Census or SimplyAnalytics Canadian Electronic Library (includes Canadian Public Policy documents) PsycTESTS Sage Research Methods Online Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR)

Outline 1. The Literature Search 2. Where to Search 3. Information Sources 4. Working your Topic

Working Your Topic Do you have a subject area, topic, or thesis? Subject is very broad: freedom of information, Charter of Rights and mental illness Topic adds a second concept, explores a relationship or question between the two concepts: testosterone levels in sex offenders, effect of art therapy on recidivism Thesis: you are making an assertion and providing supportive evidence: Art therapy decreases recidivism in young offenders

Working Your Topic Next, think of synonyms, plus broader, narrower and related terms for each of your concepts: What is the impact of art therapy on recidivism in young offenders? Art Therapy Recidivism Young offenders Creative Arts Therapy (SH) Poetry therapy (NT) Dance therapy (NT) Recreation therapy (NT) Educational therapy (RT) Treatment (BT) Recidivism (SH) Repeat offender (key word) Serial crime (RT) Juvenile Delinquents (PsycINFO subject heading) Female delinquency (NT) Predelinquent youth (RT) Juvenile gangs (RT)

Searching and relevance 6/20/2018 Searching and relevance Art therapy (a broad “subject”) + something else Art therapy AND criminals, or Criminals AND recidivism Art therapy AND recidivism AND young offenders

Search strategies Boolean searches Cycling a search AND / OR searching Cycling a search “Pearl growing” or “snow balling” Keywords vs subject headings Find articles ABOUT your topic rather than ones that just mention it

Boolean searching: AND / OR A AND B A B A OR B

Boolean searching: AND / OR

Boolean searching: AND / OR Use AND between keywords to find the overlap between them Example: women AND prison Use OR between keywords to find results with either word Example: indigenous OR aboriginal Use quotation marks to find an exact phrase Example: “juvenile delinquent” Use an asterisk (*), a truncation symbol, to find all forms of a root word Example: devian* includes deviant, deviants, deviance … Does not work in Google Scholar

Cycling a search “Pearl growing” or “snow balling” Finding better words as you go In footnotes or reference lists of books & articles In database metadata (subject headings, etc.) In a thesaurus Research is a cyclical process

Working with Subject Headings A systematic, hierarchical, and finite language used for describing subjects/concepts. Articles and books will usually have 3-8 subject headings assigned to their bibliographic record. These are provided by real people (as opposed to their robot counterparts). Subject heading languages will usually be unique to each database MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) for PubMed PsycINFO thesaurus for PsycINFO

Additional Library Resources Copyright and your thesis: http://www.lib.sfu.ca/help/academic- integrity/copyright/students/thesis Research Data Management (RDM): http://www.lib.sfu.ca/help/publish/research-data- management Research Commons: http://www.lib.sfu.ca/about/branches-depts/rc Support for qualitative data analysis software (Nvivo), support for GIS, thesis support Workshops, consultations, online resources

Submit your Honours Thesis You are welcome to submit your Honours Thesis to Summit, SFU Library’s Institutional Repository Criminology grad theses & dissertations: http://summit.sfu.ca/collection/130

Help Available TextUs 604.724.5898 Phone 778.782.4345 Email libask@sfu.ca In person: drop in or book a consultation AskAway online chat (extended hours, including Sunday evening) Criminology Liaison Librarian: Chloe Riley: car11@sfu.ca or 778-782-3315