POLITICAL STUDIES LIBRARY RESEARCH SESSION January 29, 2013 Today’s materials available at: Courses tab

Today we will....  Explore the Political Studies Research Guide  Discuss the information cycle & types of information sources  Overcome potential researching roadblocks  Introduce journal articles & demonstrate where & how to find them  Discuss the importance of evaluation of information

Political Studies Research Guide   Great starting point for your research!!!

Research Resources  Variety of research resources, ex: web sites, books, journal articles, encyclopaedias, etc.  Each type of information resource is a valid source in the research process.  Videos: The Information Cycle (serious) The Information Cycle (not-so serious)The Information Cycle  You should never use Wikipedia.... True or False?Wikipedia

Too Many Results? Not Enough?  Too many results?  Narrow / focus your topic, ex: Time period Location Specific issue  Not enough results?  Brainstorm synonyms, ex: “compulsory voting” = mandatory voting, obligatory voting, etc.  Expand scope of your topic

Questions #1 and #2 Activity

Library Collections  Catalogue: For finding books & book chapters (print & online)  Sample catalogue searchcatalogue  Journal Article Databases: for finding journal articles, newspapers, etc.

Question #3 Activity

Journal Articles  What are journal articles?  How are articles different from books?  Popular & scholarly articles  Where can you search for articles?

 Written by academics / experts in the field  Author’s credentials are listed  Bibliography is provided  Reviewed by other experts /peers in the field  Intended audience is professionals, researchers, or students in the field  Authored by journalists / staff writers  Written for the general public  Bibliographies are rarely included  May include advertisements Academic / Scholarly / Peer-Reviewed Popular

Question #4 Want to learn more? Check-out these humorous videos: What is a Scholarly Article Scholarly vs. Popular Activity

Searching for Journal Articles  Recommended databases:  Academic Search Complete  IPSA (International Political Science Abstracts)  CBCA Complete (Canadian content)  Many articles will be full-text, if not, select  Anatomy of a citation:

Questions #5 and #6 Activity

Google & Google Scholar  When to use Google & Google Scholar?  Set your Scholar preferences Set your Scholar preferences Same functionality as

Evaluating Your Sources  Important to evaluate ALL sources of information  Does it pass the CRAAP Test?  Currency  Relevance  Authority  Accuracy  Purpose

Question #7 Activity

Citing Your Sources  We didn’t discuss the importance of keeping track of your sources and citing them properly.  For help with this, visit the Library’s Citation Style Guides pageCitation Style Guides

Need Help.....  Review Political Studies Research Guide  Check-out the Research Paper PlannerResearch Paper Planner  Contact:  Mon, Tues, Wed  Ask Us (in-person, , chat, phone) Ask Us 7 days a week