finding scholarly sources at the university of michigan

WHAT ARE SCHOLARLY SOURCES? WHY ARE THEY IMPORTANT? HOW DO YOUFIND AND ACCESS THEM?

Finding Scholarly Sources at The University of Michigan

Ashley’s Assignment

Ashley, a first year student in LSA, has an Assignment Due in two weeks.

She has to write a 5-7 page paper on violence in video games and how it affects children. She needs to use at least 3 scholarly sources in her paper.

Photo credit: masonsom, flickr

Ashley’s First Question: What are Scholarly Sources?

A scholarly article or book is generally based on original research or experimentation. It is written by a researcher or expert in the field who is often affiliated with a college or university. Source: Adapted from: library.queensu.ca/webisi/survivalguide/glossary.html

So Ashley Needs to Decide: Is it Scholarly or Popular?

Journal-Scholarly Magazine-Popular

Content Detailed report of original research or experiment.

Secondary report or discussion may include personal narrative, opinion, anecdotes.

Author Author's credentials are given, usually a scholar with subject expertise.

Author may or may not be named; often a professional writer; may or may not have subject expertise.

Audience Scholars, researchers, students. General public; the interested non-specialist.

Language Specialized terminology or jargon of the field; requires prior knowledge.

Vocabulary in general usage; understandable to most readers.

References/Bibliography

Required. All quotes and facts can be verified.

Rare. Scanty, if any, information about sources.

Examples Developmental Psychology, Journal of Abnormal Psychology. Almost anything with Journal in the title. Usually come with memberships in scholarly societies and are only available in libraries.

Psychology Today, Discover, news magazines. Almost anything available in a store.

Why Is It Important To Use Scholarly Sources For A College Research Paper?

for example, medical care keeps getting better because of research!

you’ll need to credit those researchers ideas in your own paper!

And, of course, it’s important to use scholarly sources because your instructor told you to!

Building Blocks of Knowledge

Scholarshipbuilds on previous ideas and discoveries.

Creating a Path to Discovery

Researchers credit those ideas and discoveries through citations (references).

New Knowledge is Created

Students write papers and cite researchers, and become the next generation of researchers.

Where Can Ashley Find Scholarly Articles?

Can She Find Articles Through Google? Although Google is a great resource to find general information, scholarly articles are often only available by subscription, and not freely available.

Can She Find Articles At The Library?The library purchases access to scholarly journals, and access to those articles are through databases.

How Would Ashley Find Articles on Violence in Video Games and How it Affects Children?

Use Databases, Not Mirlyn1

How Does Ashley Choose a Database? There are So Many!

Decide Which Database to Use2

How Will Ashley Pick the Best Database for Her Topic?

Search For Articles!3

Good Luck!

Finding scholarly articles can be confusing.

If you have questions, ask a librarian!

http://www.lib.umich.edu/ask-librarian