TSEM 102: "Can We Talk?" Library Session #1

Transcript

2. First things first… 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? How do I start my project? Understanding your assignment “Pre- Searching” w/Background Information What is “good” information? Scholarly vs. Popular Formats Evaluation Considerations How do I use the library? Search Strategies Finding Books & Articles How should I use the information I find in my paper? Writing with Academic Honesty Citing Information
4. What’s the assignment?? Image: CollegeDegrees 360, “Confused,” via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0
5. How do I start my project? image source: http://www.pooldawg.com/article/pooldawg-library/tried-and-true-tip-of-
6. “Pre-Searching” • How do you know what to search for… if you don’t know what you’re looking for? • Background Information – • Encyclopedias, Dictionaries, Handbooks, and (some) websites • Narrow or clarify your research topic • Find new terms to use in future searching • Find links and/or citations to other sources
7. Activity: 15 minutes • Complete the “Background Sources” section of your worksheet • Use Cook OneSearch to identify one print reference source • Use Sage Knowledge to identify and read one electronic resource about your topic • Each person should complete their own worksheet, but feel free to work with your neighbor • Be prepared to share your results with the class
8. Activity Wrap-Up • Print Example • Electronic Example
9. What is “good” information? Image: EvanHahn, “Awesome doodle,” via Flickr, CC BY 2.0
10. Scholarly vs. Popular
12. Formats 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)
13. But if it’s from the library, it should be good, right?? Image: Sakurako Kitsa, “terrified sandwich closeup,” via Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
14. Evaluating Information • Why is it important to evaluate information, even if you find it through the library? • What are some criteria you should use when you’re evaluating information sources to use for your project?
15. Evaluation Criteria - CRAAP • Currency - Timeliness of information • Relevancy - Importance of information • Authority - Source of information • Accuracy - Reliability, truthfulness, & correctness of information • Purpose - Reason the information exists
16. How do I find library resources? Image: Lori Greig, “crossroads,” via Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
17. Good searching is important • “Research databases” help you find scholarly articles • Goal: Figure out how to translate our research topic to a search that the computer/database understands • Subject-specific • SocINDEX • Communication and Mass Media Complete
18. Starting with a Research Question • Phrasing your research topic as a question can help you find direction… the answer or argument you find will turn into your “thesis” • Considerations • Avoid simple “Yes” or “No” questions • “How” and “Why” questions work well • Is there evidence available to answer your question? • Can you access the sources needed to answer the question? • Can you research the topic within the given time frame and page limits?
19. Basics of Good Searching 1. Identify the main concepts in your research topic Sample Research Question: How are men and women portrayed differently in modern movies?
20. Your Turn • Write your topic in the first box on your worksheet • Identify at least two main concepts of your topic. Write these in the second box on your worksheet.
21. Basics of Good Searching 2. Brainstorm key terms and related words (synonyms) for each concept Concept 1: Gender women men Concept 2: Portrayal depict character Concept 3: Movies motion pictures
22. 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?
23. Basics of Good Searching 3. Use “connectors” to build your search * / AND / OR / “ “
25. Basics of Good Searching Use “connectors” to build your search * / AND / OR / “ “ Connect MAIN CONCEPTS movies AND gender Connect SYNONYMS movies OR motion pictures
26. Basics of Good Searching gender AND movies OR “motion picture*” AND portrayal Use “connectors” to build your search * / AND / OR / “ “
27. Try it in a Database Visit your “Course Gateway”
28. Recap • Background (“Reference”) resources can help you decide what you might want to learn about your topic • “Library Research” can mean a lot of things • Evaluating information is important, even if you’re using library resources
29. Next time: Finding & Using Resources • Independent practice to apply what you’ve learned about searching for scholarly information • You’ll have time to search and locate resources – save your worksheet and bring it back! • Discussion about writing with academic honest, including citations
30. Feedback Visit the link below to answer questions about today’s class http://bit.ly/TSEMfeedback