COMM 1180 Level 2 - MET (Neigh) March 2013

Introduction to Research for Manufacturing Engineering TechnologyUsing the Library Resource Centre

Melanie Parlette-Stewart, BA, MLISProgram LiaisonMarch 2013

I am . . .Melanie Parlette-StewartLRC Program Liaison School of Engineering and Information Technology

Email: mparlettestewart@conestogac.on.caTwitter: @ConestogaLib_MP

TODAY we will :

1. Improve your search skills through “pre-searching” and “re-searching” to refine keyword strategies

2. Locate various types of resources to balance your research with high quality information from the LRC’s collections

3. Understand the criteria you can use to evaluate resources to ensure they are of good quality.

4. Discover resources to assist you in creating proper citations

Off-Campus Access PIN NUMBERS - You can use your PIN to:• Access resources from Off-Campus• Renew a book, place a hold• Review your account

Visit the LRC to get your

PIN.Don’t forget to

bring your student card with the 2013 sticker

on it!

YOUR Research Guide Key Tabs: • Articles from

Databases• Books . . .• Cite Your Sources• Contact Us

LRC Homepage Research Help All Guides Engineering Technology

Today’s Research Topic is….

• Is there a relationship Facebook use and academic performance?

Finding a source to answer your question . . .•Where do we begin?•Google•Wikipedia•Other suggestions…

Types of SourcesWhat’s the Difference?

Scholarly Journals Popular Magazines Trade Journals• Scholarly research or projects. • Illustrations are usually charts and graphs. • Authors are authorities in their field. Often

professors or researchers. • Peer review process is in place where the

content of an article is reviewed by one or more experts in the field.

Examples:IEEE/ASME transactions on mechatronics

• General interest articles, entertainment, or information aimed at the consumer. Usually colour photographs and illustrations.

• Articles are usually written by magazine staff, freelance writers, or may be anonymous.

• No peer review or refereeing process.

Examples:Wired, Popular Mechanics

• Industry related information, news and trends. Some illustrations.

• Authors are industry experts, professionals, or practitioners who are not always identified

• Typically no peer review or refereeing process.

Examples:ASME Mechanical Engineering Magazine

Choosing Better Sources • How can you tell trustworthy information (the “better”

information) from less-trustworthy information (“worse” information)?

The CARS Test• C redibility Look for believable, well written information

that is free of bias. Locate information about the author(s) and their credentials. How credible are the authors, what is their level of expertise on this particular topic.

• A ccuracy The information should be up-to-date, clear. You

can confirm accuracy by locating information from a variety of sources. Look for a last updated date.

• R easonableness Information should be present objective and balanced arguments.

• S upport Other sources should support the information

found. Always look for a reference list, bibliography or citations demonstrating where the information came from.

Pre-Searching:Thinking About Your Search

• What are the keywords or phrases in the question that you would use in your search?

• Also think of synonyms and related terms….

Pre-Searching:

Related Terms or Synonyms (words that mean the same as the first term, above)

Facebook

Related Terms or Synonyms (words that mean the same as the first term, above)

Academic Performance

Let’s Research : LRC Discover Tool

http://www.conestogac.on.ca/lrc/

Facebook and Academic Performance

Let’s Re/search:

Don’t forget to

Re/Search: Full Text Date Source Type Subject

Let’s Re/search:

. . . and again: don’t forget to

Re/Search: Full Text Date Source Type Subject

Don’t forget to try using other “PRE-SEARCHING” terms:Ex: Social Networks and Media and Grades

Balanced Research

Encyclopedias

Books

Scholarly Journals

Newspapers

Professional Magazine (aka Trade Journals)

Conference Papers

Technical Papers

Websites

Effective research taps into a variety of sources

Citing our SourcesIt's important to cite sources you used in your research for several

reasons:

To show your reader you've done proper research by listing

sources you used to get your information

To be a responsible scholar by giving credit to other

researchers and acknowledging their ideas

To avoid plagiarism by quoting words and ideas used by other

authors

To allow your reader to track down the sources you used by

citing them accurately in your paper by way of footnotes, a

bibliography or reference list

Let’s Cite our Sources:

Don’t forget to check the style guides to make sure your citation is correct!

Need more sources?

Explore the “Engineering Technology” Research Help Guide to discover Databases focused on Engineering Technology.

These database have: Advanced Search Tools Subject Specific Material

http://exploreguides.conestogac.on.ca/EngTech

SummaryResearching using the LRC

Use Discovery Search first www.conestogac.on.ca/lrc

After that, try a relevant Research Help guide for links to even more resources to search  http://exploreguides.conestogac.on.ca/EngTech

Use the “Cite” feature in each database Remember no ‘citation generator’ is ever perfect Check it manually using the Writing Centre’s resources for your

Citations Style. www.conestogac.on.ca/learningcommons/resources/writing.jsp

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