Research Methods in Health Studies WELL 408 K. LeMoine, Instructor L. Dobson, Librarian 2010 February 1

Library Help Book a Tutor Ask the Library – chat, phone, email, in person Research & Writing Help Library Classes Handouts Blog RefWorks – citation manager APA & MLA Citation Style

Library Classes Handouts Blog Did you attend a library class? Check the blog for copies of the handouts and possibly some extra advice from the librarian who taught your class. 

E-resources at Centennial Libraries Over 100 databases Search One at a time Many at one time using vendor aggregators. See list to the right.............► ► Almost all at once through BIGsearch Slide 4 Why are library skills important? You need to get info from the library for some of your assignments You will have information needs throughout your whole life – the library can help you develop your research skills You save time doing your assignments if you know how to use the library 7 Sept 2005 9 9

library.centennialcollege.ca Distance Access

Journals & Databases Journals: Databases: Published in issues regularly (weekly, monthly, etc.) Each issue contains several articles (essays) by different authors Databases: Licensed electronic resources that let you search thousands of articles at one time

Journals: scholarly or general level? Scholarly articles are documented (in-text citations, footnotes or endnotes). Most are peer reviewed = highest research quality General articles are not documented 12 12

“Peer reviewed” articles Also called “refereed” or “academic” or “scholarly” Well researched, authoritative work A committee of scholars must approve quality before the editor publishes Most databases allow you to limit to peer reviewed if you want 13 13 13 13 13

SEARCH DESIGN Be clear about your search topic If topic is new to you, get some background info

Database searching “The basics”

START YOUR RESEARCH BOX on the Libraries homepage…

SUBJECT TERMS (“THESAURUS “)– helps you choose effective search terms (“tag terms”). All will appear in SUBJECT FIELD at least.

AND: Boolean Operator combines And combines….centre overlapping section is what you get Devalu*AND social When you add another term, you get fewer hits… 28 28

OR: Boolean operator collects

Managing your search results Print, email, download, export, alerts service, citation help – available in most databases Export: to RefWorks, “a program that will correctly format bibliographies and in-text references into your chosen format, such as MLA Style.” EBSCO vendor also provides MyEBSCOhost individual accounts Export to RefWorks E-mail E-mail Download

Add to folder

Folder

How to find original research articles? Several ways…

Use the THESAURUS to find terms relating to research

Use BIGsearch for Literature Reviews

How to find policy documents? Include words that relate to policy in your searches; examples: policy, policies, government, etc. Use Newspaper databases (e.g. Lexis Nexis) to search for reports about government policy issues and debates; eg. Health care and issues and Ontario Browse government websites – and association websites on the Internet for information

Internet sites See handout for some recommended sites

Critical Thinking “I already diagnosed myself on the Internet. I’m only here for a second opinion.”

Books (print & e-books)– Search library catalogue by keyword, author, or title

Place Hold

Place Hold

Plagiarism Why tell your readers what sources you have used? Provide support & credibility for the points you make Allow your readers an opportunity to evaluate by providing them with a clear & accurate road map to your sources Follow the standard requirement for a passing grade I like the writing in that paper. I only wish that more of it had been yours!

Ask the Library staff to help