Searching and Breadcrumbing: Why You Shouldn’t Have to Say “I wanted to do this topic, but I couldn’t find anything on it”

1. An article on choice summarizes expert opinion: Choice is a hallmark of capitalism, and most of us would agree that having too many choices is far better than having no choices. A growing body of research, though, shows Americans have become so besieged by choices that many feel paralyzed and confused (Block, 2006). Principle 1: Find the original Block, S. (2006, January 16). So many choices? What to do? What to do? USA Today, Money, 1b. Retrieved March 18, 2008, from Academic Search Elite database.

Principle 1: Find the original 2. The article mentions Barry Schwartz: The problem is that many of us aren't up to making such decisions, says Barry Schwartz, a psychology professor at Swarthmore College and author of The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less (Block, 2006). Block, S. (2006, January 16). So many choices? What to do? What to do? USA Today, Money, 1b. Retrieved March 18, 2008, from Academic Search Elite database.

Principle 1: Find the original 3. Why does Schwartz say this? To find out, you need to know where he says it. 4. The intext citation (Block, 2006) points you to the reference list entry: Block, S. (2006, January 16). So many choices? What to do? What to do? USA Today, Money, 1b. Retrieved March 18, 2008, from Academic Search Elite database.

Principle 1: Find the original 5. This is a popular source written 6.Where could we find more credible sources for Schwartz’s ideas on choice? by someone with no expert background for readers with no expert background at about a 6th grade reading level

Principle 1: Google results First-hand or primary Reputable newspaper Current Where are the scholarly sources? aka Alpha Roosters?

Although one should not necessarily judge an article by where it appears, there is a pecking order in clinical medicine. The New England Journal of Medicine and The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) are the top roosters. Principle 1: Alpha Roosters Although one should not necessarily judge an article by where it appears, there is a pecking order in clinical medicine. Dr. Jerome Groopman (2007) How Doctors Think

To recognize an alpha rooster, you need to know the difference between these periodicals: Principle 1: Find Alphas popular professional scholarly 1.Launch your favorite search engine. 2.Search for difference popular scholarly journal 3.Check out two or more of the results. 4.What differences did you find?

To recognize an alpha rooster, you need to know the difference between these types of periodicals: Principle 1: Find Roosters popular professional scholarly 4.What differences did you find? “Is It a Magazine or Journal?” (Staley Library) “Popular Magazines VS Trade Magazines VS Scholarly Journals” (CSU Libraries)“Popular Magazines VS Trade Magazines VS Scholarly Journals” “Critical Evaluation of Resources” (Berkeley Library)

Try your search at Principle 1: Find Alphas To find only free articles, go to

Try your search at Principle 1: Find Alphas

Try your search at Principle 1: Find Alphas alpha beta don’t bother

Principle 2: Breadcrumb Like Hansel and Gretel, follow the breadcrumb trail

Principle 2: Breadcrumb Popular article Original study

Principle 2: Breadcrumb Article that cited study Reference list New trail to follow

Principle 2: Breadcrumb Basic format: Author. (Date). Retrieval information. Book Journal Web article Perrin, R. (2006). Pocket guide to APA style. New York: Houghton Mifflin. Cuddy, C. M. (2002). Demystifying APA style. Orthopaedic Nursing, 21(5), Retrieved June 28, 2004, from Academic Search Premier database. APA documentation. (2006). Retrieved August 27, 2007, from University of Wisconsin Writing Center Web site: A.html

Principle 2: Breadcrumb ndbook/DocAPA.html

Principle 3: Trust the process Kuhlthau’s Model of Research

Principle 3: Trust the process Is Kuhlthau’s model credible? What’s in her reference list?