Starting Your Research Communication Studies Library Instruction Fall 2004 Mary Woodley

Basic Search Strategies: Information Need & Resources Recent events or research? Newspapers, magazines, journals, or the Internet Current, general information? Popular magazines and newspapers Current, in-depth information? Scholarly journals, conference proceedings Overviews, background or definitions? Encyclopedias, handbooks, dictionaries, or reviews More detail? Books

Basic Search Strategies: Words to Search by Jargon Keyword Controlled vocabulary – Subject words/phrases

Need a book? 1. Search the Library's online catalog. Try searching using the keyword search. 2. Write down the floor location of the book and the call number where the book will be found on the shelf

How Call Numbers Work

Need an article? Popular magazines Trade publications Scholarly publications All three may be available in print or online or both

Types of Periodicals: Scholarly Journals Authors cite their sources in endnotes, footnotes, or bibliographies. Articles use jargon of the discipline. Individual issues have little or no advertising. Illustrations usually take the form of charts and graphs.

Types of Periodicals: Trade Publications Authors are practitioners Authors often mention sources, but rarely formally cite them in bibliographies. Intended audience are fellow practitioners. No peer review process. Articles give practical information. Some illustrations are included Authors use jargon of the field.

Types of Periodicals: Popular Magazines and Newspapers Authors are magazine staff members or free lance writers. Authors often mention sources, but rarely formally cite them in bibliographies. Issues contain numerous advertisements. No peer review process. Articles are meant to inform and entertain. Illustrations may be numerous and colorful. Language is geared to the general adult audience (no specialized knowledge of jargon needed).

Basic Search Strategies: What Is a Database? Indexes/Abstracts Collection of records composed of fields which are searched for words and phrases using Boolean Logic. For example:

Types of Periodicals: Scholarly Journals Articles must go through a peer-review or refereed process. Scholarly/academic articles that are read by academic or scholar "referees" for advice and evaluation of content when submitted for publication. Referees recommend to the editor/editorial board whether the article should be published as is, revised, or rejected. Also sometimes know as "peer-reviewed" articles. Articles are usually reports on scholarly research. Articles use jargon of the discipline.

Popular Magazines and Newpapers Authors are magazine staff members or free lance writers. Authors often mention sources, but rarely formally cite them in bibliographies. Individual issues contain numerous advertisements. There is no peer review process. Articles are meant to inform and entertain. Illustrations may be numerous and colorful. Language is geared to the general adult audience (no specialized knowledge of jargon needed).

Evaluating Internet Resources Types of Web Sites: the url is a key.gov.edu.org.com Authority Content & Coverage Timeliness Accuracy Objectivity World Wide Web sites come in many sizes and styles. How do you distinguish a site that gives reliable information from one that gives incorrect information? Below are some guidelines to help.guidelines

Internet Resources vs. Surfing the Web Internet Resources include: Internet accessible databases and journals Use a Web interface Usually require subscription Exception: ERIC Wizard Equivalent to print indexes and journals Authoritative and reliable Surfing the Web: Use free search engines E.G.: Yahoo, Google, HotBot Critical evaluation required Anyone can put up a Web page! Evaluating Web pages ( Evaluating Web pageshttp://library.csun.edu/mwoodley/Webeval.html