English 201 James Torrence
Library Workshop 2 of 3: EBSCO/Periodical Tutorial
David Oar Reference Librarian
Librarians are here to help! Visit us at the Reference Desk in L100, call (425) 564-6161, or send a note to bccref@bcc.ctc.edu Further information can be found at http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/lmc/ -------------------------------------------------- TODAY’S ACTIVITIES -------------------------------------------------- PRESEARCH – Preparing Search Terms to Improve Results 1) Write a topic in one sentence or thesis statement here: ___________________________________________ e.g Political, Ethnic, Religious, and Economic influences in the Sudan have lead to Gov’t genocide 2) Write issues and perspectives related to the thesis here: ___________________________________________ e.g Sudan, Darfur, Chad, SPLA/M, African SLA/M, Arab, Janjaweed, Islam, genocide, profit* I. Sudan A. Thesis B. Background II. Political A. SPLA/M B.SLA/M III. Ethnic A. African B. Arab IV. Economic A. Collapse B. Profiteering V. Conclusion 3) Draft an outline for a research paper using key issues and perspectives for your thesis:
4) Prepare search terms by using a table to categorize outlined and brainstormed keywords as shown below: Keywords (and synonyms): Broader Terms:
sudan, political, ethnic, religious, economic Related Terms:
africa, conflict Narrower Terms:
darfur, chad, arab, genocide, profit*
SPLA/M, SLA/M, janjaweed
RESEARCH – Using BCC’s Periodicals/Databases to Find Support for Analytical/Persuasive Essays 1) Before using a search engine such as Google, explore BCC library databases. The full text articles found in BCC‟s research databases are generally of higher quality and not available on the free web. Open a browser (e.g. Internet Explorer) and access BCC library research databases at: http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/lmc/periodicals.html NOTE! As a BCC student, you can access these databases while off campus using your SID# and last name. 2) Select appropriate databases/sources for your topic and assignment. NOTE! Though it is recommended that you use EBSCOhost and ProQuest to find supporting articles for analytical/persuasive essays, remember that information found in reference sources will continue to inform better searches. For help with evaluating (and finding “peer-reviewed”) articles, see: http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/lmc/scholarly_journals_tutorial
---------------------------------------- Getting Results from Research Databases ---------------------------------------To improve your results when searching databases, use the following strategies: 1) Prepare and organize your search terms using a keywords analysis table (see activity on reverse). In addition to words you are already using, find and record additional terms using reference books found in the library. Remember that reference books are a great place to start research for successful papers, but may not provide information that is appropriate to quote in a paper. Revise your terms table and search strategy as you find scholarly information in books, in journals, and on the web. If you want top results or feel stuck, remember that instructors and librarians can help. 2) Use appropriate search language and limits for each database. Most research databases will use the „Boolean operators‟ AND, OR, and NOT. For Boolean help, see: http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/lmc/handouts/boolean.pdf Unique search language is noted on our database handouts at: http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/lmc/research.html For online EBSCOhost help, see: http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/lmc/ebsco_tutorial/
and
http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/lmc/handouts/EBSCOhost.pdf
While using ProQuest, check „Search Tips‟ to learn skills such as truncation. Adding a word root followed by * to your search will allow you to search many words at one time (e.g. econom* will find economy, economic). Be careful that you do not truncate short or common word roots (e.g. eco* would also find „ecology‟ articles). Find and use SUBJECT HEADINGS to access articles that have been described by humans as substantially related to your topic. In ProQuest, click on the „Topics‟ tab and enter a keyword. Explore alternate words from your terms table even if you find results using the first word entered. For most topics, you will also want to check the ‘Scholarly Journals’ box. However, to truly determine whether a journal is scholarly or not, it is best to evaluate it.
--------------------------------------------------- Key points to remember! ------------------------------------------------- Prepare well ‘scoped’ search terms (broader/narrower terms that address your intended thesis) Keep synthesis in mind while searching. You may not find an article that restates your thesis, but you will find many that provide a piece that you put together for your audience! This is your task. Look further than your first results. Good research is exactly that: RE-search! Evaluate what you find! See http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/lmc/scholarly_journals_tutorial for help with evaluation or talk to an instructor or librarian about the sources you are finding. Read about further evaluation strategies at: http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/research/evaluate.html Librarians are here to help! Visit L100, call (425) 546-6161, or send a note to bccref@bcc.ctc.edu