SOC 114 Marriage, Family & Intimate Relationships B. Brutlag, Instructor J. Sevilla-Marzona, Librarian Fall 2009

Step 1: Understand the Assignment Read the assignment sheet carefully. What are you expected to write about the assigned topic? Are you expected to write a research paper? Discuss your findings in an oral presentation? Both? What should your presentation have? How long should it be? How many sources do you need to use? When is it due? And so on….

Step 2: Select Your Topic How can you narrow your topic? –Course readings? –Select a current event by watching the news, reading An article from a newspaper, magazine or the Web, or listening to talk radio. –What are your personal interests? –How about a general encyclopedia?

A good topic is: –Current –Researchable –Controversial or debatable –Can be covered reasonably well within the limits of the assignment –Not too broad, not too narrow, but just right! You can always ask a librarian for help!

Step 3: Define Your Topic (Class Exercise)

Use a reference source to get background information: –Dictionary –General encyclopedia –Subject-specific encyclopedia How do I define or narrow my topic? 1. Identify keywords and concepts

2. Facets – Dimensions – Aspects of the Topic

Jot down the most significant words and ideas in your topic. –Example Look up synonyms or related terms for these keywords and concepts. –Example 3. Connect the dots… Now you’re ready to start!

Divorce Effects on children Effects on work: productivity and quality Effects on extended family Effects on husband’s vs. wife’s income Effects on health

Step 4: What Sources Will You Need? Books? Articles? Quotations? Personal Interviews?

Step 5: Locating Books To find books, use the Library’s online catalog, and choose WebCat. Search by: –Subject –Author –Title –Search Everything

Step 6: Finding Articles Why articles? –Usually more recent → may discuss the status of the controversy –Shorter than books → summarize one of more major arguments, usually citing a specific example or several cases

Use Online Databases –Searchable because the databases contain an index –Contain full-text articles from thousands of magazines, journals and newspapers –Note: RHCL has more than 40 databases, many of which are subscription-only. ARTICLES & MORE ARTICLES & MORE ◊ ProQuest ◊ SIRS ◊ PsycARTICLES ◊ Issues & Controversies ◊ ArtStor ◊ Gale Virtual Reference Library ◊ Trials More... ONLINE DATABASES ◊ A-Z List ◊ Subject List ◊ Off-campus accessProQuestSIRSPsycARTICLESIssues & ControversiesArtStorGale Virtual ReferenceLibrary ◊ TrialsMore... ONLINE DATABASESA-Z ListSubject ListOff-campus access

Some useful databases for SOC114: Gale Virtual Reference Library ≈ 1,000 reference e-books ProQuest PsycArticles Health Reference Center – Academic Social Science Data Search

Step 7 (or the beginnings of): Finding Web Sites As a general rule, consult the section “Subject Guides” in the Library’s home page. eduhttp://library.riohondo. edu

Web Searching Use at least two of your keywords. –Example: marriage counseling reconciliation Specify where to search (domain). –Example: site:.edu Use quotation marks around phrases. –Example: “evil stepmother” –Example: “stay at home mom” “children’s health”

Visual Aids Library: Consult WebCat for Posters, DVDs and VHS Web: Google Images, Yahoo Images, YouTube ASA Citation Formats

Don’t forget to ask a librarian for help, either in person or by phone (562)