ERIC Search and Word Processing

							ERIC Search and Word Processing Guidelines

     Open a browser and go to the University of Akron Library web site.
      http://www.uakron.edu/library/
     Select the “Gateway to Information” link, then scroll to the bottom of the screen and note
      the link to “Information Tools for Academic Success”
     If doing research is a skill you have not yet developed to a level of mastery, then
      plan to take one of these workshops.


Specific Task
    1. Formulate a question about teaching in your self-selected area. The question could be
       related to your teaching practice, your students and their capabilities, curricular resources,
       integration of technology, or some other topic. Consider searching for information related
       to a particular curricular objective located on the Ohio Department of Education website.
    2. Write down your question before you start searching!
    3. Look under Electronic Resources and locate the Articles Index and Databases sub topic
       and from that list select the “Social Sciences” database. (Education is considered a social
       science.)
    4. The databases are organized alphabetically so scroll down to select the “Educational
       Resources Information Center (ERIC)”


The top part of the ERIC dialog screen looks like this:




    5. For your first search try entering a keyword or phrase from your question. Then select the
       Search button.


    6. Run an ERIC search from your computer using two or more descriptors linked together
       by Boolean operators (and/or).
The lower part of this ERIC search screen will allow you to put limits on your search and help
narrow your results to those that best inform your question. You can use the drop down menus to
specify the types of publications and publication dates.




    7. Select one article to summarize. Read the article noting the most important points.

Using MS Word, compose a 200-300 word, single spaced summary of a selected article. Use your
own words, quoting only when necessary, and giving appropriate citations when required.
Formatting criteria:
    1. Set the left and right margins at one inch.
    2. Set spacing to be single line for the entire document.
    3. Font style: Times New Roman, 12 point.
    4. Type your name and section number in the Header.
    5. Insert page numbering in the Footer.
    6. Type your research question first. Below the question, type the article citation including:
       author(s), title of article, journal, publication date, volume number, issue number, and
       pages.
    7. Use American Psychological Association (APA) citation format. See the APA web site
       for criteria and style http://www.apastyle.org/elecref.html
    8. Write your summary of the article (what the authors stated) and how it relates to your
       research question.
    9. Proofread your summary, use the spelling check option, edit as necessary.
    10. Save and name the file using the convention “yourlastname-eric.doc”
    11. E-mail the document as an attachment to your instructor or submit using WebCT as
        directed.