ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY &

RESEARCH STRATEGIES

Writing Seminar

WHAT WE WILL COVER

•Develop a search strategy•Find resources in library catalog and databases available

•Everything shown today is available at Research Guides for Writing Seminar.

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

•Good preparation for a longer paper or research project.

•Helps you narrow your topic and discard any irrelevant materials

•Aids in developing the thesis •Makes you a better scholar

WHAT DO I DO FIRST?

Take a look at your topic and identify key search terms, Ask a question.

Most databases now use an implied Boolean logic search scheme so a keyword search will get you started.

Boolean logic is the use of AND, NOT, OR to narrow or expand your search.

See Research Guide for Writing Seminar.

RESEARCH STRATEGY• Start big doing background reading

• Narrow your topic for a more focused product

• Research narrowed topic using subject specific databases

• Keep track of bibliographic citations to avoid trouble down the road.

Use Google to find sites that provide background for your research. Evaluate these sources carefully.

INTERNET TOOLS

CRITICALLY ANALYZING WEB SOURCES

• What? is the page/site about• Who? created and maintains this site• Where? Is the information coming from • Why? Is the information presented on the

web • When? Was the page created or last

updated• How? Accurate or credible is the page

From the University of Wisconsin Library, worksheet for evaluating web sites

INTERNET TOOLS: GOOGLE SCHOLAR

Searches the scholarly literature of many disciplines and sources, including theses, books, abstracts and articles.When on-campus, will link to the library’s resources and to the full-text of articles.

WHAT DO I DO NEXT?Use library resources to continue your background research.

LIBRARY CATALOG: POLAR

Start your search using the basic keyword search.

Keyword Search• Looks in several locations (usually subject, article title, abstracts or contents)

• Does not require an exact match• Generates comparatively large number of hits (not precise)

• Good if you are not familiar with terminology

• Look for the same or similar words which keep appearing

LIBRARY CATALOG: POLAR

Subject Search •Looks in one place – subject•Usually requires an exact match between your term and a pre-set list of terms

•Precise (motion pictures -- review)•Can be used after keyword search has identified specific subjects

LIBRARY CATALOG: POLAR

LIBRARY CATALOG: POLAR

Results page in POLAR.

LIBRARY CATALOG: POLAR

Use subject headings to find more books on your topic.

FIND A BOOK: OHIOLINK

• Materials owned by all Ohio colleges, universities, several public libraries

• Ca. 10 million items• Link from POLAR permits you to submit

requests. Available from Heterick home page

• Most requests arrive in 2-3 working days• No charge • Limited to 100 items at a time• MAY RENEW UP TO 4 TIMES

FIND A BOOK: OHIOLINK

FIND BOOKS IN OHIOLINK

FIND BOOKS IN OHIOLINK

Click on Request to request a material.

What do I do next?Use databases to find articles based on your

search strategy

POPULAR VS SCHOLARLY PERIODICALS

Popular• Edited by magazine editors• Articles usually written by staff

journalists• Short articles• Targeted to general audiences

Scholarly• Peer-reviewed• Longer articles• Citations/Bibliography• Written by scholars, experts in the field

of study• Targeted to scholars, students in a

particular field of study

RESEARCH TOOLS: DATABASES

•Often tools for locating journal and newspaper articles

•Most are subject-specific – some multi-disciplinary

•Many give access to full text of articles

•Heterick has over 250

RESEARCH TOOLS:DATABASES

•Over 20,000 journals indexed, most are full text

•Some subject-specific, some general

•Begin with a general database, •Academic Search Complete

Academic Search

Complete

GENERAL DATABASE

FINDING ARTICLES: GENERAL DATABASE

Lots of ways to limit your results, do not forget the Scholarly (Peer Reviewed) Journals limiter!

SUBJECT SPECIFIC DATABASE

SUBJECT SPECIFIC DATABASECommunication and Mass Media Complete

INTERLIBRARY LOAN (ILL)

•Use when you need a book or article that is not available online, not owned by ONU or available via OhioLINK

•No charge/ limit on requests•Most requests take 5-7 days to fill•Use ILL form on library web pages.

MANAGING INFORMATION REFWORKS

• Licensed state-wide, access free to Ohio students for the rest of your life!

• Excellent Tutorials• Help available at Heterick • See Research Guide for further information.

BIBLIOGRAPHIC CITATION SOFTWARE: REFWORKS

QUESTIONS?

•Ask at the Reference Desk•Phone the Reference Desk – 2185

•Contact us by E-mail reference@onu.edu