Class slides for ENGL 2A

1. Finding Academic Sources for
Your Topic
Nicole Branch, Instruction Librarian
ENGL 2A
Image courtesy of Flickr user throgers.

2. Today we will…
• Define searchable keywords for your research
topics
• Identify & search relevant databases for
academic sources on your topic
• Learn advanced search techniques
Background image courtesy of Flickr user Paree.

3. Image by Flickr user
Karlis Dambrans.
Defining
Keywords:
Hipster
Food

4. Defining an Angle
• Hipster Food
– Hipsters & Ethnic Food
– Ethnic Food & Gentrification

5. Refining Keywords
https://vimeo.com/85564795

6. Refining Keywords
• Broader terms
• Narrower Terms
• Synonym Terms

7. Exercise 1
Brainstorm Keywords

8. Finding the conversation
Image courtesy of Flickr user spyros papasyropoulos.

9. Databases & Disciplinary Sources

10. Image courtesy of Flickr user Christian Ostrosky
Identify a Database

11. Select a Database

12. Identify Subject Areas
• Define
 Ethnic Food & Gentrification
• Identify subject areas or disciplines
 Sociology
 Ethnic Studies
 Business

13. Exercise 2
Identify Subject Areas

14. • AND/OR/NOT
• Document types
• Truncation *
• Advanced search options
• Citations & permalinks
• Finding full text
Search Tips

15. • Using the guide, select a database to begin
searching
• Use your brainstormed keywords to get
started
• Practice advanced search options
Exercise 3: Hands-On Search

16. Nicole Branch
Instruction Librarian
nbranch@scu.edu
x5436
Questions?