 Definitions  Narrowing Search  Keywords  Evaluating Sources Contents

 Search engines use computer software with “robots” that regularly search the web (following links from site to site) to identify and index web pages  There is no editing process so everything is on there  Each search engine’s software works a little differently so 2 different search engines may yield different results  Different search engines will rank things differently Search Engines (example: Google)

 Information is not collected and organized in any meaningful way  Software (the “robot”) is always being changed and updated so results will change over time  If a search engine has advertisers they may allow their advertiser’s listings to rank higher (or show up first)  Search engine’s also have filters to guess what information they think you would like to see and rank that higher Search Engines (continued)

 Data bases are an organized collection of information from journals, e-books, newspapers, etc.  They have been edited by people in a private company (i.e. peer reviewed)  It provides a brief description of a source with keywords that have been chosen by people  These collections are rented by the library for student use. Data Bases

 Common Search Engines: Google, Google Scholar, Yahoo, Blekko.com, Dogpile Google, Google Scholar, Yahoo, Blekko.com, Dogpile  Qatar University Library Databases: Academic Search Premier, JSTOR, LION, EBSCO Host, etc. Academic Search Premier, JSTOR, LION, EBSCO Host, etc. Search Engines and Databases

Narrow down your topic

 Be prepared to be flexible with your topic idea!  If it is too broad or vague you will find too much information and will need to narrow the focus.  If it is too specific or specialized or new, it will be difficult finding enough information to write your paper. In that case, you will need to broaden your idea. How to Narrow or Broaden Your Topic

 Topic : Waste Management 1. Make one or two words more specific  Non-biodegradeable waste as in landfills 2. Now turn the topic into a complete sentence  Non-biodegradeable waste as in landfills in Qatar can have effects on the desert 3. Now make the sentence as precise and arguable as possible  Non-biodegradable waste stored in landfills in Qatar can have damaging effects on the surrounding desert wildlife Three Steps to Narrow Topic

 Keep in mind that this is NOT your thesis statement; it’s just a tool to narrow your research. If you can complete the following steps, you most likely have a narrow enough topic with enough direction to perform some great research.  1) I am researching waste management (topic)  2) because I want to find out effects on wildlife (issue/question/ why)  3) in order to (application to reduce damage- Audience/Purpose)  Another example: I am researching speech impairments in children (topic) because I want to find out if an older sibling with a speech problem affects a younger sibling (issue/question) in order to convince the headmaster the need for family therapy (application - audience). Alternative Method

KEYWORDS

 Using a “concept map”  The structure of the keywords may be different  Databases are more selective about keywords Find Internet Sources Using KEYWORDS

1. Take your article title or idea “Effects to the desert of non- biodegradable land fills” 2. Divide it into main ideas/concepts 3. Brainstorm more words that mean the same thing. Effects to the desert of non-biodegradable land fills influence arid land not green dumps influence arid land not green dumps impact barren non- ecological refuse dumps impact barren non- ecological refuse dumps changes not environmentally rubbish tips changes not environmentally rubbish tips friendly/safe waste tips friendly/safe waste tips dangerous to the dangerous to the environment environment Concept Map

{ Structure of Key Words Word order, word families and collocation

 Word Order changing the order of the words for example: management and finance –vs- finance and management  Word Families for example: corrupt and corruption are in the same families, but one or the other may yield fewer results  Collocation knowing which words go together for example: “research and development”

 Frequency use a higher frequency word for a specific topic- which may only mean adding an “s” for example: nuclear weapon –vs-nuclear weapons  General vs. specific words for example: a word like “tourist” might bring up too many sources and needs focus whereas keywords like “eco-tourism in Qatar” might need to be widened  Antonyms try using the opposite term to find more information for example: abundant energy –vs- scarce energy

Evaluating Resources

Don't accept everything you read just because it's printed on a web page. Unlike scholarly books and journal articles, web sites are seldom reviewed or refereed. It's up to you to check for bias and to determine objectivity. Feline Reactions to Bearded Men Feline Reactions to Bearded Men ( check out the abstract) Don’t believe everything you read!

 Articles may be heavily biased, incomplete, or vandalized  May contain obvious mistakes or omissions  Many writers do not cite their sources  Bibliographies are frequently incomplete or out-of-date  Credentials(Qualifications) of authors vary  Continually edited - >100,000 edits/day  Can propagate( encourage) misinformation Wikipedia: Why do your instructors say NO?

 Very useful for background information  Contains many viable links and references  Excels in topics on current events, popular culture, emerging technology, and obscure subjects  Don’t CITE it! Cite sources it links to, if you find them to be credible, accurate, useful, etc. Wikipedia: How to use it as a tool

1. Check domains (.edu /.com /.gov /.net /.mil /.org) 2. Does the information come from primary or secondary sources? 3. Are there links to other websites about the same subject? 4. Is the information up-to-date? 5. Check out the author. 6. Has it been peer-reviewed? ( looked at by fellow experts) experts) com/net/mil/org=less reliable or have their own agenda com/net/mil/org=less reliable or have their own agenda How to Evaluate Sources

1. Authority- Who is the author? 2. Accuracy- Is it reliable ? 3. Content- Has it been reviewed? 4. Relevance- Is it connected to my topic? 5. Objectivity- Is it biased or is it impartial? 6. Audience- Who is the intended reader? 7. Currency- Is it up-to-date? Do the links work? Seven-Step Checklist

 Research takes time and practice  Hours of it!  Read loads!!  Take notes TIPS

Find a partner for the activity- make sure one of you has access to the internet. 1. You will be given a broad topic you need to narrow using the slide technique 1, 2, and/or Wikepedia. 2. Make a list of key words (use a concept map). Look up topic in both Google and QU Library. What are the differences in the search and the result? 3. Evaluate your results. You may need to go back and do steps 1 and 2 again. This is common as you research and revise your essay/research paper topic. Workshop Activity

Please contact us Phone: Visit: Book an appointment: Facebook:   Twitter: Thank you for your attention