intro to library research
DESCRIPTION
An experimental introduction to research for undergraduate students. Obviously, tons of commentary, stories, examples, interaction, conversation ... would accompany the slides.TRANSCRIPT
WELCOME
Research
Information Literacy The Research Process Research Resources
Our Agenda
Information Literacy
• Is not just a necessity, but a basic human right that promotes social inclusion in all nations.
• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Critical Thinking Skills
• the ability to reflect critically upon and evaluate their own research strategies,
• the tools used, • the resources found • and the context in which the
resources were produced.
Text
Where do I begin?
TextText
Research Process1. Find and develop a topic
2. Find background information
3. Find books about your topic
4. Find newspaper and journal articles about your topic
5. Find Websites
6. Evaluate what you find
7. Cite the material you use
Library As Portal
Most topics are way too big!
FIND AND DEVELOP A TOPIC
• Narrow it down
• Break it down to sub-topics
• Remember assignment instructions
• What am I interested in?
• e.g. Global Warming
FIND BACKGROUND INFO
• Learn general terms and context
• Encyclopedia and Dictionaries
• e.g. Encyclopedia of Global Environmental Change GE 149 E443 2002
• Check bibliographies (works cited, recommended resources, for more ideas)
FINDING ARTICLES
• Newspapers and Magazines for popular views and info
• Academic Journal Articles for the latest research
• Peer Review/ Scholarly Journals
FINDING ARTICLES
EVALUATE WHAT YOU FIND• Author
• Date of Publication
• Edition or Revision
• Publisher
• Title of Journal
• Intended Audience
• Objective Reasoning
• Coverage
• Writing Style
• Evaluative Reviews
• http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/research/evaluate.html
INTERNET
•World Trade Organization
•Dihydrogen Monoxide
•United Nations
• EVALUATING WEBSITES
LOOK FOR:
• Accuracy of the web site
• Authority
• Objectivity
• Currency
• Coverage• http://www.uwindsor.ca/units/leddy/leddy.nsf/SearchTheWeb!OpenForm
Citing Your Sources
Writing Tools
•APA and MLA Styles•Academic Writing
Centre•Writing Help Page
Research Process1. Find and develop a topic
2. Find background information
3. Find books about your topic
4. Find newspaper and journal articles about your topic
5. Find Websites
6. Evaluate what you find
7. Cite the material you use
• Global Warming >
• Alternative Energies >
• Wind, Solar, Tidal, Thermal >
• World > Canada
• Trend: the use of solar energy in Canada
Here’s An Example
Thank you!