Research Sources & strategies Focus on: Databases, Statistics & Original Research Articles, Local Info F. Gavin, Instructor – ENG 206 L. Dobson, Librarian 2010 March 1, - 12:30 p.m., - Room D215

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

Library Classes Handouts Blog Did you attend a library class? Check the “Library Classes” blog for copies of the handouts , etc.  

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 10 10

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 hundreds of thousands of articles at one time

Internet vs E-resources Wide range of info Quality varies widely Search tools primarily “behind the scenes” Huge E-resources More academic More consistent reliable quality Commercial free Precision search tools with “you in charge” Big 14

Journals: scholarly or general level? Scholarly articles are documented (in-text citations, footnotes or endnotes). Most are peer reviewed = highest research quality + many report on original research done General articles are not documented 15 15

“Peer reviewed” articles Also called “refereed” or “academic” or “scholarly” Well researched, authoritative work Many are original research papers A committee of scholars must approve quality before the editor publishes Most databases allow you to limit to peer reviewed if you want 16 16 16 16 16

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…

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AND: Boolean Operator combines 14 Boolean searching 3 terms or strings of terms Kafka and (metamorphosis or castle) or (criticism or reviews)

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OR: Boolean operator collects

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

Database precision search tools See your handout for more tips on how to Limit search results (and provide more focus or relevancy) Expand search results (to get more)

What newspapers offer… Current & local info – news! Hot topics - debates, different viewpoints & opinions People & organizations involved Newspaper e-resource 36

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 Print E-mail Download

Add to folder Add to folder

Folder

How to find original research articles? Several ways…

Use the THESAURUS to find terms relating to research

A word about Statistics ESTAT: an e-resource (database) popular data from Statistics Canada Statistics Canada (Internet website) Much is free, some are fee-based. Do not pay for Stats Canada data –ESTAT or other sources may provide free data Many other sources… Ask the Library staff for help 45

York University Libraries offer a lot of help on using Canadian statistical sources. York University Libraries homepage: http://www.library.yorku.ca/ Click on “Resources” ---Statistical data…

Finding local information See handout for some recommended sites

Explore … Tour your neighbourhood - including local Public Library branch Network Do “job research” if you are looking for a job Search the Internet

The Internet Many organizations are listed Many have their own websites See your handout

About www.211toronto.ca Available 24-hours-a-day & in many languages. 211 was officially launched in Toronto in 2002 By: United Way of Greater Toronto, along with Findhelp Information Services, the City of Toronto, the Government of Ontario & the Government of Canada 211 has expanded Canada-wide

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Organizations sorted by LOCATION

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

a 10-minute av program, Evaluate Web Pages Wolfgram Memorial Library, Widener University (Chester, PA) – a 10-minute av program, Evaluate Web Pages http://www3.widener.edu/Academics/Libraries/Wolfgram_Memorial_Library/Evaluate_Web_Pages/659/

Ithaca College Library (Ithaca, New York) Website evaluation exercises http://www.ithaca.edu/library/training/think7.html

Ask the Library staff to help