RESEARCHING TIPS & STRATEGIES

Summer 2008Melanie WilsonAcademic Success CenterMSC 207

Introduction

Researching is a key component of academic success.

Understanding how to research, find, and evaluate information will help you in all of your classes and in life!

Objectives: In this presentation, I will:

Identify what research is Identify where to search Identify how to search Identify tools for searching

Research is…

According to Merriam Dictionary: 1re·search

careful or diligent search the collecting of information about a

particular subject Research is:

Finding the BEST information on a topic Finding information to support an argument

or hypothesis Evaluating information

Truths about Researching

Researching is a multi-step process Researching takes times The SUCCESS of a research paper is

based on the quality of the information and sources you use.

It is nearly impossible to write a good paper with weak sources.

If you use strong resources – you’ll have a strong end product.

Tips for Research Success

Tips for Research Success Video Clip

Source: Transitioning2Collegehttp://www.transitioning2college.org/module_tips_for_research_success.html#

Finding information

Places to conduct research: Library Catalog Library Website Research Databases The Internet

Google Scholar Google News Google Uncle Sam: Government Documents Google Books

ALWAYS start at the library…

(Remember you don’t need to go to the library to utilize its resources.)

WHY? The library has loads of FREE, QUALITY

resources at your fingertips Books Newspaper Articles Magazine Articles Databases Statistics

The library also has information experts that are eager to help.

Navigating the Kent Library Page

http://library.kent.edu

Online catalog.Search by:KeywordAuthorTitleSubjectSearch materials in the Kent State Library – such as books & journals.

Online catalog.Search by:KeywordAuthorTitleSubjectSearch materials in the Kent State Library – such as books & journals.

Online Reference Shelf links to reference books such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, & statistical sources available online– FREE to Kent State students.

Online Reference Shelf links to reference books such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, & statistical sources available online– FREE to Kent State students.

Search for full-text scholarly journal, magazine, and newspaper articles in the Research Databases.

Search for full-text scholarly journal, magazine, and newspaper articles in the Research Databases.

Searching the Online Catalog Search by:

Keyword (searches all fields of a record including: title, author, subject, table of contents) Keyword is a good place to start if you have no

specific information on a resource Title (searches for the exact title left to right…

use keyword if you don’t know the exact title) Author (searches for the author’s name)

Search last name first Subject (searches the subject term assigned to

a material– you must be familiar with the LC subject heading to use this field)

http://library.kent.edu

Searching the Research Databases If you want to find current information or

scholarly publications, you can search the research databases.

The key to searching research databases is choosing the right one.

Below are some good places to get started: Academic Search Complete Lexis-Nexis Academic Masterfile JSTOR

Talking to Databases

Using the language databases understand will greatly improve your

search results.Talking to Databases

Source: Transitioning 2 College. http://www.transitioning2college.org/module_talking_to_databases.html

Developing a Search StrategySTEPS FOR SEARCHING1. Choose a database related to your topic2. Use your topic statement to formulate a

search strategy3. Break your topic into main ideas/key

terms4. Brainstorm and think of synonyms for

you main ideas5. Fill in a search strategy worksheet

Connecting Search Terms

When searching, combine synonyms with OR and main ideas with AND

AND

Search Strategy Example

 Topic:What is the effect of television violence on

children? Main Ideas:

Television, violence, children Similar Words:

Concept 1 Concept 2 Concept 3television violence children

TV aggression teenagers

media preschoolersSource: Transitioning 2 College. http://www.transitioning2college.org/

Example Search Statement

(television OR TV OR media) AND violence AND teen*

(television OR TV) AND (violence OR aggression) AND (teen* OR children)

Using Truncation

Some words have multiple forms Databases are only able to search

the exact word you enter For example:

Teen, teens, teenaged, teenager, teenagers

If you truncate teenagers to teen*, you will retrieve all forms of the word

Search Strategy Form

Source:http://www.transitioning2college.org/

Searching the Net

The internet contains a wealth of information

Benefits: Easy to use Quickly updated & current Hub of multi-media

Weaknesses: Quality control Always changing

Internet Search Tools

If you must use the internet for research, these tools will help lead you to more reliable sources Google Scholar

Benefit: connects directly to Ohiolink

Google News Google Uncle Sam (Government

Documents) Google Books Wikipedia

Evaluating Resources

The most important part of research, especially on the web, is evaluation. As a researcher, you need to be able to distinguish the good from

the bad. Scope

What area does the site cover? Does it go into an appropriate amount of depth?

Currency Is the site recent?  Does it have an date listed?

Authority Who is the author or institution publishing the site?  What are their credentials?

Do they have expertise in the area? Accuracy

Does the information have an obvious bias? Does the information contain citations?

Quality Are there errors or spelling mistakes on the site? Is it well written?  Is it edited

or peer-reviewed?

Web Resource Caution

When using the internet --- BE CRITICAL!

Find out who is behind a site? What is their motive? Who is sponsoring it? Who published the material?

An expert, a professor with a PhD, a professional?

5 Tips for Research Success

Links to Research Tools

Tutorials of Researching: Online Tutorials: http://www.library.kent.edu/page/10773 College Research: Transitioning to College: http://www.transitioning2college.org/

Resources & Databases for Research: Online Reference Shelf: http://www.library.kent.edu/page/10113 Databases Alphabetical: http://www.library.kent.edu/page/10078 Subject Guides: http://www.library.kent.edu/page/10114

Resources for Evaluating: KSU library Evaluation Sheet & Criteria: http://www.library.kent.edu/page/10475

Resources for Citing: REFWORKS: http://www.refworks.com/refworks Academic Success Center: http://www.kent.edu/asc/Cite.cfm Citing Resources: http://www.library.kent.edu/page/10603

Materials from today’s lecture are available at:http://www.kent.edu/asc/research.cfm

GOOD LUCK!

Remember to start early and take advantage of the library.

FIND, EVALUATE, USE, CITE

If you have any questions e-mail me at mawilson@kent.edu.