IAT 309W Library Research Workshop Introduce self! Thanks for having me. Librarians for different departments– get to be a bit more specialized in the types of research resources you’ll need to use; visit classes to talk to about research. think of me as go-to (And Adena). Probably aware many other types of help available at the library--- writing, etc. We can connect you with that too. Megan Sorenson / Adena Brons SIAT Librarians msorenso@sfu.ca / abrons@sfu.ca

The plan Finding your topic Researching your topic Evaluating sources with the 3 Rs Citing your sources Getting help Questions (at any time) Today– looking at different steps that you will need to go through to develop your research proposal for the persuasive essay that you will be writing. Road map for today will take us through. Recycling symbol b/c not perfectly linear, even though it looks like it here.  Questions anytime!

A useful starting point lib.sfu.ca  Library Search  Type in iat 309w and search

Finding your topic

Which of these four questions in the video will need research? Harkening back to the video we just watched…this will look familiar. A: All fo them.

better sources = a better argument and paper You will be writing a persuasive research paper, not an opinion paper. better sources = a better argument and paper

general topic  specific topic A few places you may find topics background sources news sources examples: encyclopedias handbooks something tangible keep your eyes open Morrison, J. (2018, Sep 13). Driverless cars will dramatically change where and how we live. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites /jimmorrison/2018/09/13/driverless-cars-will-dramatically-change-where-and-how-we-live/#265f245251cf flickr.com/photos/boellstiftung/17494657636/

Finding a topic  news sources

Finding a topic  Catalogue Search

Finding a topic  background sources

Try to find the sweet spot - not too narrow - not too general Finding a topic Try to find the sweet spot - not too narrow - not too general Sounds good-– right? But how does it look in practice?

Finding a topic Do you think these topics are too broad, too narrow, or just right for an 8 page research paper? Should unhealthy foods be required to carry a warning label? Should sodas 16 oz. or more be required to carry a warning label in Canada? Should stores be banned from selling large sodas? Should 7-Elevens in Surrey be required to include a warning label on their Big Gulps? L M S

Researching your topic

Before researching your topic Should sodas 16 oz. or more be required to carry a warning label in Canada? Spend some time brainstorming the following: - What information would you like to find? - What are some good words for searching? (+ gather new words as you go) - What are some good places to search? - Who would be likely to collect and publish the information you need? More efficient searching when we have an idea of what we’re looking for. What specific information would you like to find? Can we brainstorm some good words that people are likely going to be using in discussing this? And be on the lookout for any new terminology– adding to our list as we find revelant research. What are some good places to search? Think about: who cares? --academic authors– various library databases you can search– some suggestions on the research guide --if it’s a topic governments would care about– searching Canadian or BC gov’t websites. --industry professionals or associations --non profits, etc.. Again, helps us be strategic. We’ve identified an issue, and may have some opinions about it, but at this point, should not have a fixed stance in mind. Need to do more reading and consider from various angles. The idea is to keep an open mind/think critically about the research you find. Not just looking for information that fits with your preconceived ideas.

What if you can’t find information on your exact topic? One perfect source (2 min. video) http://youtu.be/X2VR5adTjeM Sample topic: Should sodas 16 oz. or larger be required to carry a warning label in Canada?

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Apply the four questions to this topic: Should companies be allowed to crowdsource their graphic design?

Investigate subtopics

Evaluate your sources (with the 3Rs)

The 3Rs Recency Relevance Reliability 2/17/2019 The 3Rs Recency Are you including the most recent research about your topic? Would an historical perspective be useful? How closely does it relate to your topic? E.g. If you’ve found information that differs in culture / size from your topic, is it still relevant? Who is the author & what’s their expertise? What is the purpose of the document? Type of source? (scholarly, popular, government, etc.) Relevance Reliability

Citing your sources

What information don’t you need to cite What information don’t you need to cite? What information do you need to cite?

Getting help

Can the library help you… to find background sources? Yes! to find articles? Yes! to evaluate sources? Yes! to find APA style examples? Yes! with structuring, paraphrasing, and becoming a better writer? Yes!* *see the Student Learning Commons

Research consultations I’m happy to meet for a one-to-one appointment or you can drop by our research help desk. It is helpful if you: - arrive prepared with topic(s) and questions plan ahead and contact me a few days before you’d like to meet

Or contact me directly: Megan Sorenson (msorenso@sfu.ca)

Image credits All images used have CC-BY licenses or are in the public domain, and are sourced from thenounproject.com In order of appearance: Tree by Alberto Guerra Quintanilla Lungs by chris dawson Brain Machine Interface by HYPERMORGEN Recycle by ImageCatalog, RU. Curious by Stephen Borengasser Korea by Gira Park Hand by Dmitry Baranovskiy Map by Alessandro Suraci Bucket by Anton Gajdosik Soda by Christopher Anderson Cigarettes by Julia Soderberg Poison by Robert Leonardo Glasses by Cor Tiemens Gymnast by James Keuning Scalpel by Danny Sturgess Okay by Stephanie Wauters Warning by Stefan Parnarov Network by Mister Pixel Signpost by Juan Pablo Bravo Thinking by Timothy Dilich