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, either in person or via phone and electronic "help desk" service. Online tutorials are also
available for self-instruction.
COR 550 Fundamentals of Professional
Writing and Library Research (.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?
LIBRARY AND WEB RESEARCH FOR WRITING RESEARCH
PAPERS
INFORMATION
COMPETENCE MODULES, CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY AT NORTHRIDGE
OASIS,
FROM SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY
PURDUE
UNIVERSITY ONLINE WRITING LAB/RESEARCH PAPERS
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
PURDUE
UNIVERSITY ONLINE WRITING LAB/APA SYLE
Good
basic information on using APA format, and examples of each
type of citation. PSYCHWEB/APA
STYLE RESOURCES
A collection of links to APA style
guides and help sheets.
USING THE INTERNET
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY, LIBRARY/FINDING INFORMATIONON THE INTERNET
Web search skills instructions,on ways to refine and focus searches, evaluating and citing resources, and the “invisible Internet.”
EVALUATING WEB SITES UCLA College Library: Thinking Critically about Discipline-Based WWW Resources
NHC Library: Steps to Finding Information: Criteria for Evaluating Information
Judging Quality on the Web
Searching for and Evaluating Web Resources
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