Basic research and tools

1. Research 101
Finding the information you need
Richard Le
Teen Services Librarian

2. About this class

3. Goals
• Make research fun & enjoyable
• Talk about many library resources
• Find & search for info
• Use eResources
• Other services
• Questions

4. Choices of info source
1. Book
2. Magazine
3. Journal
4. Newspaper
5. Web
6. Online database

5. Choices of info: Book
• Provide in-depth coverage of a
subject area
• Bibliography & references *
• But can be outdate

6. Choices of info: Magazine
• Content is broad & brief *
• For general audience
• Good: current info *
• But coverage is limited

7. Choices of info: Journal
• Authoritative and by scholars *
• Written for specific audience
• Lengthy and work cited *
• Current info
• Sometimes hard to understand

8. Choices of info: Newspaper
• Local & current stories *
• Content is brief and broad
• For general audience
• Limited in coverage
• But can be outdate

9. Choices of info: Web
• Accessible, convenient & fast *
• Self-published content
• No editorial and quality control
• Biased and hard to verify
• Search skills are needed
• Need evaluate info found

10. Choices of info: Online
database
• Convenient, accessible & fast
• Reliable & in-depth coverage
• Current and unbiased
• Bibliography & work cited

11. Library resources
• Books
• Magazines & periodicals
• Computers & printers
• eResources / database
• eBooks and eAudiobooks
• DVDs and Music CDs
• Study rooms
• Get textbooks & articles
• Tutoring help
• Free classes

12. Look for a book
Research Strategy
1. Keyword
2. Subject
3. Author
4. Work cited

13. Look for book: keyword
Information on the best value colleges and
universities in the U.S. and how to apply
for them.
Keywords: Best value
Colleges & universities
United States
Application process

14. Look for a book: Keyword
The social and cultural history of the early
settlers in Jamestown, Virginia in 17th
century.
What are the keywords?

15. Look for books: by subject

16. Look for books: Bibliography

17. Look for articles
Questions

18. Library eResources

19. Articles: MasterFile Complete
• Comprehensive database for articles
• All topics; full-text
• 2,000 periodicals and magazines
• Fast, convenient, and accessible 24/7

20. News: America’s News
News & stories:
• Newspapers
• Blogs
• Journals
• Newswires
• Videos
• Broadcast
transcripts

21. People: Biography in Context
• Quick way to find biographical info
• Full-text biographies & articles
• Quick facts, timeline and achievements

22. Science: Science Online
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Earth Science
• Marine Science
• Math
• Physics
• Space and Astronomy
• Weather and climate

23. History: History Resource Center: US
• Like: primary sources & images
• African American perspectives
• American colonies
• Biographies
• Court cases and Supreme Court
• Events, decades & cultural trends
• Native Americans
• Wars and conflicts

24. Pro & Con: Opposing Views Resource
Center
• Find “pro” and con” arguments
• Unbiased information
• Browse controversial issues
• Includes statistics & summary
• Good: Quick facts for assignments
• Include teacher resources &
curriculum development

25. Health: Teen Health & Wellness
• Provides info from experts
• Easy to read
• Covers teen health areas:
• Body basics
• Drugs, alcohol, eating disorders
• Dating and friendship
• Emotions and mood
• Nutrition, fitness and appearance
• Sexuality, sexual health & STDS
• Skills for school, work & life

26. English: Literature Criticism Online
• Provides literary commentary
• Covers modern & historical views
• Across regions, eras & genres
• Browse by work & author
• Good: for English or Lit. classes

27. Tutoring: Career Center (Tutor.com)
• Online 1-on-1 tutoring
• Live chat with certified tutors
• Math, English, social studies and
science
• Resume review
• Job search tips & int. prep
• Worksheets, tutorials and
study guides

28. Exams: Learning Express Library
• Online practice tests for SAT,
GED, GRE, GMAT, Civil Service
jobs, ASVAB and many more.
• School prep materials
• Tutorials on job searching,
software, citizenship & life skills
• One-stop place for college prep.

29. Image: CAMIO (Catalog of Art Museum Images
Online)
• 100K images from museums
• Cleared for education use
• Prehistoric to contemporary
times
• Good: presentations & reports

30. Questions

31. Other Services
Inter-library loan service
• Books and articles
Link+
• Books from CA college &
university libraries
• Heavy fine if lost
• 8-10 days

32. Citation Styles

33. Citation Style: Purdue OWL
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/2/

34. Citation styles: KnightCite
www.calvin.edu/library/knightcite/index.php

35. Wed Resources

36. Study Guide: CliffsNotes
www.cliffsnotes.com

37. Guide Study: SparkNotes
www.sparknotes.com

38. Study Guide: BookRags
www.bookrags.com

39. Book: WorldCat
www.worldcat.org/genres

40. Book: WhichBook.net
www.whichbook.net

41. We can help

42. Summary
• Library resources
• Strategy to find books
• Use eResources & databases
• Other Services: ILL, Link+ & Ask-a-librarian
• Tools for citation formats & styles