Library Research Anthony Valenti Campus Director Learning Resources

Agenda 4 Identify Research Needs –Selecting a topic –Determining research needs 4 Doing the Research –Library catalog –Library databases –Skills for searching 4 Using Research Results –Evaluating research results –Citation

Identifying Research Needs 4 Select a topic –assigned by your instructor. –a subject that interests you. –a real information need that you have. –something discussed in class about which you want to know more. 4 Start with broad subjects and then focus on a more specific aspect of the broader topic. Sometimes it helps to phrase it as a question –Leadership – Leadership skills – What are the most important skills for a leader?

Identifying Research Needs 4 Determine your research needs –What is the final result? Research paper, speech, informal report? –Who is your audience? Simple, general, advanced? –What is the scope A paragraph, a page, five pages? –All these questions will help you determine your sources

Identifying Research Needs CriteriaPopularScholarly AudienceGeneral, no special knowledge of subject required Scholars, experts, or others with knowledge about subject AuthorProfessional writer or laypersonAcademic scholar or recognized professional ContentGeneral interest items: current events, hot topics, etc. Research reports or comprehensive reviews of specific areas of study StyleUses everyday language that anyone can understand Uses technical language or jargon specific to experts in the subject area PublisherTrade publisher for mass market sales Scholarly or academic publisher for limited interest market PurposeTo inform the general public about a subject of mass appeal To share the results of new research or to inform other experts of a new discovery or theory. Popular or Scholarly Sources?

Identifying Research Needs 4 Primary or Secondary Sources? –Primary sources are original, first-hand or contemporary materials original works of fiction such as novels, plays, poems, etc. original works of art such as paintings, drawings, sculptures and photographs. reports of original research by those involved in the research. manuscripts, letters, messages, diaries, autobiographies, interviews and other first-person accounts. news reports of current events. raw data and statistics.

Identifying Research Needs 4 Primary or Secondary Sources? –Secondary sources are removed one or more steps from the original item, time or creator. There is a layer of interpretation made by a second party summaries or analyses of other people's research. biographies and articles about people. reproductions of original artwork, i.e. a postcard from a museum. reviews of literary or artistic works. analyses or histories of past events.

Edison College Electronic Catalog 4 Includes Books, Journals, and A/V Titles 4 Searchable by Author, Title, Subject, or Keyword 4 Make sure the default is Edison College 4 You do not need to log in to search; However, you do need to log in to view fines and fees, place holds, access e- books, etc.

Edison College Access to Electronic Resources –Go to the Library website: –Locate the silver box on the right hand side of the page. Find the words Library Databases. –You may select a database from the drop down menu OR click on “All Databases” to see a list of databases by subject –You will see a log in screen. Select Edison as your college if not the default –Enter in your 14 digit number off your library card and your PIN (created by you at Circulation Desk) –Select a database –Begin Your Search

Edison College Electronic Resources 4 Online databases –Indexes to articles, book chapters, thesis or other documents: EBSCO, ProQuest, etc. –Reference Resources: Online versions of Reference Works: Grove Art Online, Valueline, etc. 4 Restricted to Edison College community 4 Sorted alphabetically or by subject –Your topic will determine what database to use 4 Recommended Multidisciplinary databases (with searching demonstration) –Academic Search Premiere (EBSCO) –Academic OneFile (Gale)

Skills for Online Searching 4 Subject or Keyword Search –Identify Key Concepts “leadership” and “motivation” 4 Controlled Vocabulary –Different databases may use different terms. EX: “Senior Citizens” or “Elderly Persons” –Look to see if database has a thesaurus 4 Boolean Logic –AND, OR, sometimes NOT 4 Limits –Full Text, Scholarly (Peer Reviewed), Date, etc.

Search Results –If Full Text Print, Download, or article – If Citation or Abstract Click on Find Text? link. Perhaps it is available full text in another database. Request Interlibrary Loan for article.

Using the Internet for Research 4 The Internet can provide information; however, proceed with caution! –Anyone can post anything at anytime on the Internet. The Web is populated with an abundance of unreliable and inaccurate information. –People who publish on the Web have an agenda. Be particularly suspicious of.com sites, which are trying to sell you something. –Most scholarly sources are not on the Internet. Only a small percentage of all journals and an even smaller number of books are available on the Internet. –Navigating the vast amount of information available on the Internet can be overwhelming. Only a small percentage of search results generally are relevant.

Evaluating Research Results 4 Authority –Who wrote or compiled the information? What are their credentials? Are they experts or scholars? 4 Currency –What is the date of publication? What time period is covered by the information? 4 Accuracy –What is the overall reliability of the information? Are the facts and statistics verifiable? 4 Scope –What is the completeness of coverage? Is it comprehensive or selective? What is the focus and is it relevant?

Evaluating Research Results 4 Objectivity –What is the point of view taken in the material? Is there an obvious bias? Does the author provide factual information or are they expressing an opinion? 4 Documentation –Does the material cite the sources for information presented? Are complete citations provided? Is the information unknown?

Citing Research Results 4 A citation is the basic information about a source that identifies it and allows others to locate it. The citations used in a research paper or other work is usually compiled into a bibliography or list of references at the end of the paper or work. Citations are also commonly called references or cited works. 4 Why do we have to cite Materials? –To allow others to locate these materials if they are researching the topic. –To give proper credit for works, ideas, etc. to the people who created them 4 Citation guides are available on the library’s web page.

Citing Research Results 4 Plagiarism –Plagiarism is presenting another person’s work— words, ideas, images, etc.—as your own, and not citing the source. Plagiarism is theft. When you plagiarize, you are stealing someone else’s intellectual property, or original work. Colleges and universities have strict rules against plagiarism. Breaking these rules can result in a failing course grade, suspension, or even expulsion. To review Edison College’s rules on plagiarism, review the Edison College Catalog, available online at

Research Assistance  Anthony P. Valenti Campus Director, Learning Resources