SP111 Instructional Session
Upon completion of this instructional session you will:
- Identify library resources that will help you determine a topic;
- Practice using Credo or Gale--both reference databases--to help you find background information on your topic and email yourself a source you could use;
- Practice using an article database--like Academic Search Premier--to find additional information on your topic and email yourself a source you could use;
- Know how to get help from librarians.
1. Identify library resources that will help you determine a topic.
From the library home page, click Articles & More. From the alphabetical list of all library resources, explore headlines, controversial topics, or related concepts. Suggested databases to explore:
- America's News (for headlines)
- CQ Researcher, Opposing Viewpoints in Context, Points of View Reference Center (for controversial topics)
- Credo and select the Mindmap search option (for related concepts)
Protip: When choosing a topic, pick one you're actually interested in! The research process is more relevant if you care about your topic. Ask yourself the five W's: Why did you choose the topic? Do you have an opinion about the issues involved? Who are the people who might write about this topic? Are they affected by the topic? Are there organizations or institutions related to the topic? What are major questions related to this topic? Is there a debate and are there a range of viewpoints to consider? Where is your topic important--locally or nationally? When was your topic important? Is it a current event or historical? Can you compare by time period?
Make sure your topic is not too broad or too narrow--you will either find too much or not enough information. Background reading can help you choose and focus the scope of your topic..... |
2. Practice using Credo or Gale--both reference databases--to help you find background information on your topic and email yourself a source you could use.
From the library home page, click Encyclopedias & More. Click on either Credo Reference or Gale Virtual Reference Library to explore one of these two encyclopedia databases.
As you search, see if you can find one entry that you could cite and email to yourself. Write down what keywords you searched and how many results you found. Note if you had to do multiple searches!
3. Practice using an article database--like Academic Search Premier--to find additional information on your topic and email yourself a source you could use.
From the library home page, click Resources by Subject. Click on a subject related to your topic. From the list of databases under the Articles & More heading, select a database that you would like to search. Academic Search Premier is a good general database that is located on almost all of the Resources by Subject pages.
Protip: If you get too many results or too few results, play with your keywords using the following expert techniques:
Boolean Operators: Limit your results using AND, expand your results using OR, eliminate unnecessary results using NOT. When using Boolean, make sure to use all caps for the operators. example: (vampire OR Dracula) AND history NOT Twilight Filter options: Look for filtering options like date ranges, resource types, and scholarly (peer reviewed). Title Searches: When facing the issue of too many results, try using the drop-down menu next to the search bar, limiting your search keywords to only appearing in article titles. Google searching: If your topic isn't appropriate for library resources, use Google or Google Scholar. To help limiting your results try the following advanced options: site:.gov --limits sites to the domain you enter. Can be used with any domains like .org or .edu. Make sure you don't add spaces between the site, colon and domain. related:URL --find similar sites to the URL you entered. intitle:keyword --operates like the Title Searches described above. Link the Barber Library to your Google Scholar: to help avoid paying for articles you find on Google, add the Barber Library in your Google Settings. Make sure to search and add both "CENTRAL OREGON COMMUNITY COLLEGE" and Barber Library - Central Oregon Community College. |
As you search, see if you can find one entry that you could cite and email to yourself. Write down what keywords you searched and how many results you found. Note if you had to do multiple searches!
4. Know how to get help from librarians.
I know that there's a lot of information here, and you might still have questions, even after this session. That's what librarians are for! You can always contact me, but there are also several other options for you to contact any Barber Library librarian.
Click on the Help icon from the library home page to find 24/7 access to research assistance. Chat, email, or call to find help coming up with keywords, citing your sources, choosing databases, and any of your library and research needs! |
I’d love to hear from you! At the end of this session, please complete the class evaluation form.