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

2. Principle 1: Find the original
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).

3. Principle 1: Find the original
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).
Why does Schwartz say this?
To find out, you need to know where he says it.

4. Principle 1: Find the original
4. The intext citation (Block, 2006) points you to the reference list entry:
References
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.

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

6. Principle 1: Google results
First-hand or primary
Current
Reputable newspaper
What are the trusted sources in your field?
Where are the scholarly sources?
aka Alpha Roosters?

7. Principle 1: 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.
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

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

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

10. Principle 1: Find Alphas
Try your search at
Note: for premium articles, see if the library can get them interlibrary loan
To find only free articles, go to

11. Principle 1: Find Alphas
Try your search at

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

13. Principle 1: Which are alphas?
Rank these sources from most credible to least credible.
WebMD is reputable, but popular
Trudeau is a convicted criminal; many reviewers have identified misinformation in his book

14. Principle 1: Wikipedia ≠ Alpha
Wiki means anyone can edit it
• Wikipedia should not be in your reference list.
• It can make a great starting point.
• Follow links and cite the original sources.

15. Principle 1: Use alpha definitions
Which definitions are authoratitive?
DSM = Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (American Psychiatric Association)

16. Principle 1: Use alpha definitions
Where do I find this information?
Anorexia nervosa. (2008, June 26). Retrieved from National Institutes of Mental Health Web site: eating-disrders/ anorexia-nervosa.shmtl
Why not just URL? They change, so you need redudant information. Also, it’s useful to know if it comes from a recognized source; e.g., Dr. Andrew Weil.

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

18. Principle 2: Breadcrumb
Popular article
Citations
Original study

19. Principle 2: Breadcrumb
Article that cited study
Reference list
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2007;161(5):
New trail to follow

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

21. Principle 2: Breadcrumb ?

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

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