LIBRARY INSTRUCTION AND TUTORIALS
A comprehensive program of library instruction is offered including two formal classes, additional problem-based learning in selected core classes, and one-to-one instructional consultation, in person or via phone and electronic "help desk" service. Online tutorials are also available for self-instruction.
COR 508 Library Research Methods and Strategies (1.5 units)
This course prepares students for writing graduate level research papers. Students are introduced to key concepts in library research, and practice the use of databases, thesauri, online catalogs, library borrowing systems, and the World Wide Web. Students will improve their ability to select a topic, and organize and present their ideas in writing using SBGI writing guidelines. Citing research in APA style, and self-editing will be emphasized.
Students will refine skills in locating and critically evaluating scholarly web resources.
Basic Search Tips and Strategies
a. Systems and Serendipity: Successful research is often a combination of systematic approaches and, when appropriate, serendipity. Coming upon something “by accident” can add enormously to your research. Keep alert for fortuitous research “accidents”.
b. Topic Identification and Description: Identify a topic of interest and describe it in as narrow/focused way as possible. Consider subtopics, perspective you wish to take, the geographical and/or chronological focus. Ask: What? Who? When? Where?
c. Search Vocabulary: Make a list of search terms (keywords) that describe your topic. Include synonyms, relevant proper names, etc. Avoid very common words if possible, but also include some general as well as precise descriptors.
d. Truncation: Some online databases use truncation symbols (?, *, or #). Truncation allows you to build on the root of a word or within a term to expand your retrieval. Specific symbol depends on the system you're using.
Examples:
wom#n = woman or women
sex? = sex, sexual, sexuality, sexualized, etc.
e. Call Numbers: Call numbers are determined by the first/primary subject heading of the publication. Thus, most (but not always necessarily all) books on somatic psychology, for instance, will be classed and shelved together. Once you find a promising call number(s) for your topic, browse the shelves in this area for serendipitous discoveries of other items that might be of interest/use.
f. Search Documentation: Keep careful track of your research process: sources consulted, date ranges covered, search terms used, as well as promising citations. Use a notebook, index cards (paper or electronic), and/or email messages to yourself, etc. to document your research process.
g. Some things to consider when assessing the quality and usefulness of an item (for print and electronic resources):
- Author: Credentials? Scholar? Academic field? Other publications?
- Publisher: University press? Other scholarly publisher? Trade? Other?
- Notes, etc.: Bibliography? Footnotes? Use to refine and/or expand research.
- Periodical: Scholarly journal? Popular magazine?
- Date: Original publication date (unless revised) – critically important!
- Reviews: If a book, can you locate book reviews?
TUTORIALS
Library and Web Resources for Writing Research Papers
Information Competence Modules (California State University, Northridge)
OASIS (San Francisco State University)
Online Writing Lab/Research Papers (Purdue University)
APA STYLE
APA Documentation: Citations/Writer's Handbook/University of Wisconsin, Madison
Easy to understand descriptions of things like parenthical citations and creating an APA reference list.
SAMPLE CITATIONS from the APA 5th edition:
Examples from the University of Minnesota at Crookston
Psych Web/APA Style Resources
A collection of links to APA style guides and help sheets.
Using the Internet
University of California, Berkeley. Finding Information on the Internet.
Web search skills instruction on refining and focusing searches, evaluating and citing resources, and searching the “invisible Internet.”
Judging Quality on the Web
Searching for and Evaluating Web Resources
Thinking critically about World Wide Web resources
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