Research Methods in Health Studies

RESEARCH METHODS IN HEALTH STUDIES

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WELL 408K. LeMoine, InstructorL. Dobson, Librarian

2010 February 1

Library Help

Book a Tutor Ask the Library – chat, phone, email, in

person Research & Writing Help

Library Classes Handouts Blog RefWorks – citation manager APA & MLA Citation Style

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Library Classes Handouts Blog

Did you attend a library class?

Check the blog for copies of the handouts and possibly some extra advice from the librarian who taught your class. 

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E-resources at Centennial Libraries

Over 100 databases

Search One at a time Many at one time

using vendor aggregators. See list to the right.............► ►

Almost all at once through BIGsearch

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Distance Access

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library.centennialcollege.ca

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Journals & Databases

Journals: Published in issues

regularly (weekly, monthly, etc.)

Each issue contains several articles (essays) by different authors

Databases: Licensed electronic

resources that let you search thousands of articles at one time

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Journals: scholarly or general level?

Scholarly articles are documented

(in-text citations, footnotes or endnotes).

Most are peer reviewed = highest research quality

General articles are not

documented

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“Peer reviewed” articles

Also called “refereed” or “academic” or “scholarly”

Well researched, authoritative work A committee of scholars must

approve quality before the editor publishes

Most databases allow you to limit to peer reviewed if you want

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SEARCH DESIGN

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Be clear about your search topic

If topic is new to you, get some background info

DATABASE SEARCHING

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“The basics”

START YOUR RESEARCH BOXon the Libraries homepage…

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SUBJECT TERMS (“THESAURUS “)– helps you choose effective search terms (“tag terms”). All will appear in SUBJECT FIELD at least.

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AND: Boolean Operator combines

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AND

OR: Boolean operator collects

Managing your search results

Print, email, download, export, alerts service, citation help – available in most databases

Export: to RefWorks, “a program that will correctly format bibliographies and in-text references into your chosen format, such as MLA Style.”

EBSCO vendor also provides MyEBSCOhost individual accounts

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Export to RefWorks

E-mail Download

E-mail

Add to folder

Folder

HOW TO FIND ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLES?

Several ways…

Use the THESAURUS to find terms relating to research

Use BIGsearch for Literature Reviews

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How to find policy documents?

Include words that relate to policy in your searches; examples: policy, policies, government, etc.

Use Newspaper databases (e.g. Lexis Nexis) to search for reports about government policy issues and debates; eg. Health care and issues and Ontario

Browse government websites – and association websites on the Internet for information

Internet sites

See handout for some recommended sites

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Critical Thinking

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“I already diagnosed myself on the Internet. I’m only here for a second

opinion.”

Books (print & e-books)– Search library catalogue by keyword, author, or title

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Place Hold

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Place Hold

Plagiarism

Why tell your readers what sources you have used?

Provide support & credibility for the points you make

Allow your readers an opportunity to evaluate by providing them with a clear & accurate road map to your sources

Follow the standard requirement for a passing grade

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I like the writing in that paper. I only wish that more

of it had been yours!

Ask the Library staff to help