COSC 111 Session 1 Fall 2013 - Sections 003 and 004

Library session 1 of 2 for COSC 111 Sections 003 and 004, Fall 2013.

Transcript

1. COSC111: An Intro. To Research & Cook Library Resources Fall 2013 Kimberly Miller, M.S.I. kimberlymiller@towson.edu
2. Ask a Librarian! • Kimberly Miller ▫ kimberlymiller@towson.edu ▫ 410-704-6324 • Cook Library ▫ In-person: Reference desk (3rd Floor) ▫ Phone: 410-704-2462 ▫ IM/Email: http://cooklibrary.towson.edu ▫ Text: 66746 & start your question with askcook • Social Media
3. What are we going to learn? What is “good” information? Scholarly vs. Popular Formats Evaluation Criteria How do I find information? “Pre- searching” Search Strategies Finding Books & Articles How should I use information in my paper? Plagiarism Citing Information
4. What’s the assignment? Image: Lotus Carroll, “Mommy…,” via Flickr, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
5. COSC 111 Research Assignment From your assignment: “In this group study you will work with a team to research, create, and present information on topics that you have selected. In the process you will improve your skills in the areas of team building, information gathering, organization and presentation. The development of these skills is a very important step in becoming Information Literate.”
6. Interpreting the Assignment Reading Background Information Using Online Databases & Indexes Gathering Sources Drafting Paper or Presentation Identifying & Listing Vocabulary Citing Sources Refining a Topic Evaluating Sources Selecting a Topic Research Process
7. Information Overload! Image source: http://www.copy2contact.com/blog/tag/information-overload My topic is: “internet browsers”
8. Topic Development Questions to consider: ▫ What are the assignment instructions? ▫ What issues/concepts/subtopics are related to your main topic? ▫ Why is the topic important or interesting? ▫ What do you need to learn more about to become the class “expert” on the topic?
9. What’s “good” information? Image: EvanHahn, “Awesome doodle,” via Flickr, CC BY 2.0
10. Scholarly vs. Popular
11. Popular Sources Written for the “general public” Written by a journalist or professional writer Author’s credentials are not given Uses everyday language Glossy, lots of pictures Rarely give citations or references Tend to be short
12. Scholarly Sources Come from scholarly journals/publishers Written by a scholar/specialist (Ph.D.) Author’s credentials Uses specialized vocabulary Heavy on text, light on pictures List of references (bibliography) Peer-reviewed
13. Types of Resources Books (Print or Electronic) • Scholarly • Popular • “Reference works” (e.g., encyclopedias) • Find: • “Catalog” “Periodicals” (Print or Electronic) • Scholarly journals • Trade journals • Newspapers • Popular Magazines • Find: • “Database” World Wide Web • News sites • Companies • Organizations • Government • Blogs • “Reference works” (e.g., Wikipedia)
14. The way you search matters… http://youtu.be/cbtf1oyNg-8
15. Basics of Good Searching A more targeted question How have internet browsers been developed with regards to security and privacy needs? Breakdown your topic or research question into the “main ideas” A general topic…. Internet browsers
16. Your Turn • Write your topic in the first box on your worksheet • Identify at least two main concepts or facets of your topic that you’d like to find information about. Write these in the second box on your worksheet.
17. Think it… but don’t search it • Effect/Affect • Impact • Change • Influence • Advance/Improve • Help/Aid • Cause • Pro/Con • Benefit • Importance
18. Basics of Good Searching Brainstorm synonyms or related terms for teach “main idea”: Concept 1: Internet Browsers Internet browsers Google Chrome Internet Explorer Firefox Safari Concept 2: Security Security Privacy Malware Hacking
19. Basics of Good Searching Use “connectors” to build your search * / AND / OR / “ “ MAIN CONCEPTS Internet browser AND Security SYNONYMS Security OR Privacy
20. Basics of Good Searching Use “connectors” to build your search * / AND / O R / “ “ SIMPLE SEARCH – Combine main concepts with AND, synonyms with OR: “internet browser*” AND security OR privacy
21. Your Turn • In the third group of boxes on your worksheet, list additional key terms (synonyms) you might be able to use in your search • What other words can you use to describe each main concept? • At the bottom of the page, try to construct a simple search using the boxes and connectors provided
22. Evaluating Information 1. Why is it important to evaluate information, whether you find it through the World Wide Web or through the library? 2. How might evaluating information for a college-level research paper be different than for your every-day information needs? How might it be similar? 3. How can you tell if something is a “good” source? What are some criteria you should use to evaluate information?
23. Evaluation Criteria - CRAAP • Currency - Timeliness of the information • Relevance – Importance of info. for your needs *** Including appropriate level of info*** • Authority – Source & expertise • Accuracy – Reliability, truthfulness, and correctness • Purpose – Reason the information exists Remember: Not just one criteria, but a balance of all!
24. How do I find the information I need? Image: Lori Greig, “crossroads,” via Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
25. The way you search matters…
26. Cook Library’s “Guide to the Web” We’ve done some of the internet searching work for you! http://cooklibrary.towson.edu/ “Research” → “Guide to the Web”
27. Basics of Good Searching Topic: Internet browsers Concepts: “internet browsers” AND security SIMPLE SEARCH “internet browser*” OR Chrome OR Firefox AND security OR privacy
28. How do I find out more about how Siri works… but not from Google? Concept 1 “Siri”: Siri Concept 2 “Works”: “speech recognition” “artificial intelligence” Combine main concepts with AND, synonyms with OR: Siri AND “speech recognition”
29. Where do I start? Course Gateway Library Homepage → Research → Course Gateways → COSC 111
30. OneSearch to Rule them all… Cook OneSearch • Search more* of the Library's resources at once. • Find books, articles, media, government information, and other library resources all in one place. • Search what Towson owns as well as resources at other USMAI Libraries. *but not ALL!!
31. Activity • Use your favorite search engine or the library’s resources to find information about your topic  You may use an Internet Search Engine, Course Gateway resource, or Cook OneSearch • Use the “CRAAP Test” worksheet to evaluate the information, then fill in Part 2 of your assignment. • Be ready to share your source of information and your evaluation with the class.
32. Assignment: Finding & Evaluating Sources • Finish your worksheets: ▫ Topic development and keyword searching ▫ Use the library’s resources to find sources relevant to your research topic – Remember to attach your “CRAAP Test” worksheet • Parts 1 & 2 are due: Thursday, October 3rd ▫ Turn in to Kim’s box at the Library’s Research Help Desk