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Political Science:An Adventure in Research
Beaman LibraryFall 2008
Research is a process…
• It is ORGANIZED
• It is METHODICAL
• It is COMPREHENSIVE
The Researcher’s 2 questions…
• WHAT do I want to know?
• WHERE do I find that information?
Catacomb…the online catalog
All searching begins withthe online catalog.
Information Resources in Beaman Library
Reference books
Periodicals
Indexes
Databases/Websites
Reference Sources: Location Main Level – West Wing
Reference Sources: Types
EncyclopediasGeneralSubject
DictionariesHandbooksDirectoriesIndexesStatistical Sources
Periodicals - Location
Current (2008) magazines and journals are arranged alphabetically on open shelves for easy browsing.
Periodicals - Location
Bound periodicals are arranged alphabetically and chronologically.
Periodicals - Location
Some periodicals are kept on microfilm or microfiche.
Periodical Indexes (print)- Location
Periodical indexes are located on the main floor, east wing of Beaman Library.
Periodical IndexesPrint
• Biography Index• Business Periodicals Index• General Science Index• PAIS International Index• Social Sciences Index
Periodical Indexes
• Online• Tennessee Electronic Library (TEL)• Powersearch• Academic OneFile• Expanded Academic ASAP• General OneFile• National Newspaper Index• America: History & Life and Historical Abstracts• Biography Resource Center• Lexis-Nexis
World Wide Web Resources
• Academic .edu
• Government .gov
• Specialized/commercial.com/.org/.net
Online Indexes/Databases: Government
U. S. GovernmentLibrary of Congress
http://marvel.loc.gov
Congressional Directory http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cdirectory/
index.html
Online Indexes/DatabasesEducation
• http://infomine.ucr.edu
…a virtual library of internet resources relevant to faculty, students, and research staff at the university level.
Electronic journals electronic booksBulletin boards databasesarticles
Online Indexes/DatabasesCommercial
Search specifically for scholarly literature:
theses peer reviewed papers booksabstracts technical reports
preprints
http://scholar.google.com/
Evaluating Information
• from monographs (books)
• from periodicals (journals)
• from databases/websites
Evaluating books
• Is it a recognized author?• Does it have timely content?• Does it contain documentation?
What is a Scholarly Journal?
For scholars or researchers in a specialized field (e.g. medicine, psychology)
Cites research Peer review (refereed) Includes notes and/or bibliography Usually quarterly or monthly Mostly print with graphs and/or tables Few or no ads
Web Site Evaluation—the WWW’s
Who says it? Author or sponsor Credentials of responsible party
Web Site Evaluation—the WWW’s
What does it claim, assert, etc.? Purpose of web site Biased, objective, fair Factual…in depth Correct grammar, spelling, etc.
Web Site Evaluation—the WWW’s
When was it said?• Publication date• Revisions• Links up-to-date
Interlibrary Loan
• Question: What do I do if a resource I need is not available in the Beaman Library?
• Answer: Use the Interlibrary loan service provided by Beaman Library
Interlibrary Loan
Facts about Interlibrary Loan:
• Interlibrary Loan is a service provided by Beaman Library to obtain materials NOT owned by Beaman Library.
• The conditions of this service are set by the National Interlibrary Loan Code.
• The loan period is determined by the lending library.
• Athena is an area consortium of local libraries who loan and borrow from one another without charge.
• Applications are available at the Reference desk or online in Catacomb.
Access form online: http://library.lipscomb.edu
Your mission...
• Come up with a suitable topic (not too broad, not too narrow)
• Be able to find resources in all formats (books, articles, websites, etc.)
• Incorporate & cite these sources correctly (be careful not to plagiarize!)
• Remember: librarians are here to help you with your mission!
SAIL
Search – indexes/databases (evaluate)Analyze – compare, contrast; separate
fact from opinionInventory – Do I have enough, too
much, too little?Learn – new information and new
information skills
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