Gary Handman ghandman@library.berkeley 643-8566

Gary Handmanghandman@library.berkeley.edu643-8566

Doing TV Research Online: Doing TV Research Online: A Crash CourseA Crash Course

1. Describes organization of library information

2. Introduce selected sources for finding books and journal topics online

2. Introduce a group of basic moves and features common to many online catalogs and indexes.

3. Practice using these features in selected databases.

The (Library)The (Library)Information UniverseInformation Universe

•BooksBooks•Journals (Magazines) & Journals (Magazines) &

Newspapers Newspapers •Government docsGovernment docs

•MapsMaps•Media (video, sound Media (video, sound

recording, etc.)recording, etc.)•Computer files (e.g. CD-Computer files (e.g. CD-

ROMS)ROMS)•Online Resources Online Resources

DissertationsDissertations•ManuscriptsManuscripts•EphemeraEphemera

I’d rather beDoing research!

The Information Universe

Why a Book? Why a Journal Article?

The Information Universe

But how do you find this stuff? (along with a cute, available guy?)

The Information Universe

Library Catalog(s)

Journal/NewspaperIndexes

Inventory of what the Inventory of what the Library owns:Library owns:BooksBooksJournals (Journals (BUT NOT what’s BUT NOT what’s inside of them!!!!!!inside of them!!!!!!) )

Library Catalog Library Catalog

Search by:Search by:•AuthorAuthor•TitleTitle•Subject (keywords)Subject (keywords)

MediaMediaManuscripts, documents, Manuscripts, documents, maps…etc. etc. etc. etc.)maps…etc. etc. etc. etc.)

Bada-bing!OskiCat and Melvyl

The Information Universe: Books In the zone : the twilight world of Rod Serling / <1997>Author: Wolfe, Peter, 1933- Published: Bowling Green, OH : Bowling Green State University Popular Press, c1997.

Location(s): MAIN: PN1992.77.T87 W66

Get da Book in da Stax

Call #

The Information Universe: Finding ArticlesArticle Databases (Indexes/Abstracts)

• Databases produced by different commercial publishers; often look/act differently from one another.

• Regularly updated

• Allow subject/author searching in a group of journals in a particular discipline or topical area.

• Some indexes also offer abstracts-- short description of article content

I know! I’lldo my paper onMarilyn Manson!

Choosing an Articles database (index)Choosing an Articles database (index)

Look at the listings of article databases available via the library www.lib.berkeley.edu: includes listings by SUBJECT, NAME, etc.

General Databases are often good places to start (particularly for newsy/topical issues)

Gary’s Desert Island Index/Article Database List

NoNow Playing

GH Desert Island Index/Article Database List

NoNow Playing

•Academic Search Complete

•MLA Bibliography

•FIAF Index

•Communication Abstracts

All databases are not created equal (or by the same company)…All databases are not created equal (or by the same company)…

•Two possibilities:

•Links you to full-text Links you to full-text in ANOTHER article in ANOTHER article databasedatabase

OrOr

•Flips you over to Flips you over to MELVYL so you can MELVYL so you can locate a physical copy locate a physical copy of the journal at UCB of the journal at UCB or elsewhere.or elsewhere.

The Information Universe (Now)

But Remember: Not everything is online!!!!!:

•Article Databases: Generally only go back 10-20 yrs online (some exceptions – e.g. Historical Newspapers)

•Not every publication is indexed

•Fairly small (but rapidly growing) subset of the books and journal universe is currently available in full-text

Online is Cool

The Information Universe

Remember Also:

•Not every topic has lots written about it, either in books or journal lit.

--Research on very current topics--Research on radically specific topics--Research on topics off the beaten

academic track or off the pop culture radar

How to Begin? Before you click: THINK

•Formulate a concise, concrete statement of

the research problem•Formulate your search in terms of

keywords and key phrases:

The impact of television advertising and television violence on school performance and pre-adolesecent social interaction.

How to Begin? Before you click: THINK

•Think of synonyms for key words/phrases

The impact of television advertising and television violence on school performance and pre-adolesecent social interaction.

ChildrenYouthAdolescents…etc.

CommercialsAds…etc.Academic achievement

Grades…etc.

MediaTV…etc

Socialization, relationships,peer interaction…etc.

The Information Universe

What to do if nothing is turning up:

•Tweak your topic: Broaden it / select a different angle•Rethink your search strategy (new keywords, new concepts, etc.)•Bail out completely and choose another topic

A few cautionary words about research on the Net

LibraryLand

The NetGoogle Rocks!

Gooooogle Scholar???

Common Search Features:

--Save list of good stuff--Mail Articles/Citations to yourself

Connecting from off-campus

www.lib.berkeley.edu HELP: Connecting from Off Campus

…being driven over the edge by your research?

Call me:Gary Handman

643-8566

ghandman@library.berkeley.edu

TelevisionTelevision:

•Broadcast NewsBroadcast News = fergeddaboutit (or pay Vanderbilt)

•TranscriptsTranscripts: Vanderbilt TV Archive (news)—short summaries; Lexis/Nexis

•ProgramsPrograms = some in MRC

•Commercials and AdsCommercials and Ads = lots in MRC

See: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/MRC/primarysources.html