This document outlines a library orientation presentation on research basics at Towson University's Cook Library. It introduces Laksamee Putnam as the research and instruction librarian and provides an overview of the library's resources including 600,000 books, 150,000 e-books, 200 databases, and 50,000 e-journals. The presentation covers evaluating information sources, developing search strategies, searching the library catalog and databases, and provides examples of researching viral videos. Attendees are encouraged to ask questions of Putnam or other reference librarians.
1. L A K S A M E E P U T N A M
L P U T N A M @ T O W S O N . E D U
R E S E A R C H A N D I N S T R U C T I O N L I B R A R I A N
TOPS Orientation – Library and
Research Basics
Please login to the computer, then open a browser and go to:
http://slidesha.re/16eyt35
3. Take away…
Where are you?
Search strategies and Search tips
Evaluate the information
Finding books/articles in the Cook Library
Viral Video Research
4. Where are you?
600,000 Books
150,000 e-Books
1,200 Print Journals
200 Electronic
Databases
50,000 Electronic
Journals
200 computers
Print here
5. Where do you go to find answers?
http://bit.ly/upwardpollsu13
6. Evaluate
Check for CRAP
Currency
Reliability
Authority
Purpose/Point of View
Examples
Pacific Northwest Tree
Octopus
Vaccines and Autism
7. Preparing to Search
Articulate your topic
Choose important ideas
Identify keywords
Find background
information
Reference books
Websites
Gather, organize and
narrow it down http://youtu.be/HE4FJL2IDEs
8. Search Tips
Boolean “search connectors”
Mammals AND Evolution
Climate Change OR Global warming
9. Search Tips
Similar ideas … different
words
Phone
Cellphone
Cell phone
Cellular telephone
Wireless phone
Mobile
Smartphone
Truncation
Technolog*
Technolog-y
Technolog-ist
Technolog-ical
Technolog-ically
12. Viral Video Research
View a list of the possible videos here:
http://bit.ly/1bc5zjm
After choosing a video research it in the same way we
did for “Charlie Bit My Finger”
Fill out the form here while researching your video:
http://bit.ly/173i4Q7
Extra time? Fill out the form for another video!
14. Questions?
Feel free to contact me:
Laksamee Putnam
lputnam@towson.edu
410.704.3746.
Or any reference librarian:
Visit Cook Library Reference Desk
410.704.2462.
IM – tucookchat
Notes de l'éditeur
Google? Wikipedia? Friends/Family? Teachers? Librarians?No matter where you start, the search for information isn’t linear. You might start with one question then figure out it’s too broad and there is too much information out there. You might start with something that is too narrow and you can’t seem to find anything about it. In any case, when you start your search you can do somethings to prepare.
First go over Cook Library Website Help locations: Need Help, Ask a Librarian Quick Tools: Off campus login, Journal List, Help GuidesCatalogs – Towson, USMAI, Worldcat TU Search Bed bug -> Books: Insect How many articles? Look at entry Cite feature