1. 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 /

2. 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!

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

4. Finding your topic

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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
/jimmorrison/2018/09/13/driverless-cars-will-dramatically-change-where-and-how-we-live/#265f245251cf
flickr.com/photos/boellstiftung/ /

8. Finding a topic  news sources

9. Finding a topic  Catalogue Search

10. Finding a topic  background sources

11. 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?

12. 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

13. Researching your topic

14. 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.

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

16. +

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

18. Investigate subtopics

19. Evaluate your sources (with the 3Rs)

20. 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

21. Citing your sources

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

23. Getting help

24. 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

25. 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

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

27. 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