1. Academic Research Part 3

2. Thesis & Outline EXAMPLE: Your outlines does NOT need to be in complete sentences. You may use phrases for each point. Clause 1 Santa Clause Professor Zaiens Developmental Communications 36B 1 December 2009 American Women and Diabetes Thesis: Thousands of American women are diagnosed with diabetes each year. By understanding this disease and its causes and treatments, women can live healthier lives. I. First major section A. Supporting detail, explanation, or example B. Supporting detail, explanation, or example II. Second major section A. Supporting detail, explanation, or example B. Supporting detail, explanation, or example III. Third major section A. Supporting detail, explanation, or example B. Supporting detail, explanation, or example

3. See full paper here.

6. Finding Print Sources  On-line catalog—in library Click on Internet Explorer—Library home pagehome page 3 ways of searching title must be spelled correctly omit “a,” “an,” or “the” if first word of title books sorted by date of publication topic (keyword) author

7. Finding Print Sources  Citation information—found on Detail page  Info given on author, title, copyright, location—Call number  Call number—number found on spine of book, indicates where book is found in library

8. Additional Library Resources—Books On-Line E-Books In catalog, click on URL, which takes you to NetLibrary Go to www.netlibrary.comwww.netlibrary.com Create a free account while on campus Gale Virtual Reference Library Need a password—Mission

9. To use resources  On campus--no password is necessary  At home--need Mission passwords (use the handout I gave you or get the handout at the Library Reference Desk)

10. Magazines  Intended for general readers  Wide subject area  Authors not experts  Brief articles  Only reviewed by editor, not experts  Weekly, monthly –ex: Time, NewYorker

11. Journals  Intended for specialists  Specific in focus  Authors are experts  Longer articles  Peer reviewed, includes bibliography  Monthly, quarterly

12. Magazines and Journals  EBSCOhost used most--entire article on line  Current articles listed first  Review abstract--summary of article  Citation info--needed for Works Cited page  Article can be emailed, saved, or printed  User ID—Mission password--la

13. Locate Appropriate Sources of Information  Non-print sources –Audio-visual materials –Interviews –CD-ROM’s –Databases Use this link to get to the LAMC Library Database page. (Remember: to access the databases from home, you must use the passwords on the Library Handout I gave you). Use EBSCOhost or National Newspapers (ProQuest).Databases –Internet

14. What Is Documentation?  You must provide information about each source used in your paper. For example, if your source is a book, you must include –Author –Title –Publication data (publisher, place published, year published) –Page numbers To access EasyBib (for MLA) or BibMe (for APA), use this link to the Learning Center.Learning Center

17. How to create Works Cited or Reference page To access EasyBib (for MLA) or BibMe (for APA), use this link to the Learning Center.Learning Center To see the PowerPoint on how to format a journal from the Library database, click here.here

18. Ways to Use Sources  Direct quotation with parenthetical citation  Paraphrase with parenthetical citation  Summary with parenthetical citation

19. Direct Quotation--MLA  Author included in text –According to Hofritz, “Some candidates are unprepared to meet the requirements of political office” (90).  Author included in citation –Another writer states, “Some candidates are unprepared to meet the requirements of political office” (Hofritz 90). HOMEWORK: Go to the Writing Lab & ask for the “Using Quotations in MLA” handout.

20. Paraphrase--MLA  Hofritz, for example, believes that not all candidates are prepared to hold political offices (90).

21. Taking Reading Notes  Use 4” x 6” or 5” x 8” index cards  Take notes on each source, one card per statement or fact or topic  List author and topic on top of card  Be sure to indicate whether information is a quote, paraphrase, or summary  Be SURE to note page number!

22. Sample Note Card BerkADHD : Treatment--Stimulants “ Researchers do not know precisely why stimulants are helpful. Some speculate that they change the chemical balance in brain regions that inhibit impulsiveness and hyperactivity, thereby decreasing the child’s need to engage in off-task and self-stimulating behavior.” Direct quote, p. 360

23. Using the Internet for Academic Research

24. Benefits of Internet Research  A huge volume of information from thousands of sources worldwide  Up-to-the-minute information on news, weather, etc.  Information when you need it—no trips to the library, which is closed at midnight

25. Pitfalls of Internet Research  A huge volume of information from thousands of sources worldwide  Anyone can publish a web site  Sites need not be maintained or updated  Sites are not supervised or reviewed for accuracy  Sites such as AOL are peppered with sales pitches  Breaking news is unfiltered

26. How to Locate Sources  A browser program (Microsoft Explorer or Netscape Navigator) helps you find the site you want.  Identify Keywords. Be as specific as possible.  Use Subject Directories (INFOMINE, Lycos, Yahoo)  Use a Search Engine (Alta Vista, WebCrawler, Infoseek, etc.)  Use a Meta-Search Engine (MetaFind, DogPile, PROFUsion)

27. Web Site Addresses  A Web site has its own address or URL (Uniform Resource Locator). It must be typed exactly.  The last part of the URL, called the domain, reveals the site’s type of sponsor .comcompanies trying to sell something .edueducational institutions .govstate or federal agencies  Sometimes you need a name you use online, called a username, and a password to get started.

28. Using the Internet for Academic Purposes  Two ways to search –Search engine--i.e. Google Computer recommends websitesComputer recommends websites –Subject Directory--i.e. lii.org Librarian recommends websites which have been reviewedLibrarian recommends websites which have been reviewed Better for academic purposesBetter for academic purposes

29. Go to Library Homepage→  →Recommended Websites –→ Subject Directories –The Best Information on the Net (BIOTN) –Internet Public Library –Librarians Index to the Internet (lii.org) enter topic→searchenter topic→search –result list—recommended websites, emphasis on quality, not quantity –list is annotated—address, when ref. was added

30. Google—put quotation marks around term, i.e. “breast cancer” Does some ranking –frequency –Proximity Advanced search –Date—select more updated period of time –Domain.edu (educational organization—often more reliable websites).edu (educational organization—often more reliable websites).org (nonprofit organization—may be biased).org (nonprofit organization—may be biased).com (commercial entity).com (commercial entity).net (network of an institution).net (network of an institution).gov (government source—reliable).gov (government source—reliable).mil.mil

31. How to Evaluate the Content of Internet Sources  Evaluate appropriateness  Evaluate the source  Evaluate the level of technical detail  Evaluate the presentation  Evaluate completeness  Check the links to see if they work and are reputable

32. Some Helpful Web Sites  http://www.latimes.com http://www.latimes.com  http://www.pathfinder.com http://www.pathfinder.com  http://www.csun.edu http://www.csun.edu  http://www.library.csun.edu http://www.library.csun.edu  http://www.library.csun.edu/websrch.html http://www.library.csun.edu/websrch.html

33. More Helpful Web Sites  http://www.bartleby.com http://www.bartleby.com  http://www.lamission.edu http://www.lamission.edu  http://www.laccd.edu http://www.laccd.edu

34. Electronic Text Requires New Reading Strategies  Traditional text is linear; it progresses in a single direction.  Web sites are multidirectional and unique.  Text on Web sites may not follow the traditional main idea, supporting details organization of traditional paragraphs.  Web site text requires readers to make decisions.

35. Electronic Text Requires New Reading Strategies  Web sites allow readers the flexibility to choose the order in which to receive the information.  Web sites use icons and new symbol systems.  Web sites use shorter, less detailed sentences and paragraphs, but a great deal of graphics, links, etc. Read more slowly, perhaps 25 percent more slowly!

36. Electronic Text Requires New Reading Strategies  Reading Web sites involves paying attention to (and being distracted by) sound, graphics, and movement, as well as words.  Text on Web sites comes in brief, independent screenfuls, sometimes called nodes.  Web sites include numerous links to other Web sites  It’s hard to highlight a computer screen

37. Develop New Ways of Thinking and Reading  Focus on your purpose—stay on task!  Get used to the site’s design and layout  Pay attention to how information is organized  Only use links to find the information you need  Explore links that are related to your topic  Use Bookmarks and Favorites or note the addresses of good sites or use delicious.com  Print and read offline (finally, a way to highlight!)  Use the “Back” button to find your way “home.”  Take notes as you explore a complicated Web site