Discuss Readings

Understanding the Research Process

• Understanding the need for information

• Selecting a topic

• Develop a thesis question/statement

• Converting thesis statement into keywords

• Develop appropriate search strategies

• Selecting Appropriate Resources

• Effectively Perform Searches (Print & Electronic)

• Evaluating Information

• Synthesize Information (Extracting, Synopsizing, & Paraphrasing Information)

• Potentially adjusts topic and or thesis based upon information retrieved

• Citing Information/Avoiding Plagiarism

Research Strategies

• Develop an appropriate search strategy

• Resource Selection

• Background material and reference volumes (dictionary, encyclopedias, atlases, almanacs)

• Thesis Development

• MLA Style Guide

Using the OPAC

• Understanding Keyword searches vs. Subject Headings

• LCSH (Use, Use For, Broader Term, Related Term, See Also, Narrower Term)

• Broadening &. Narrowing

• Boolean Searches

• Truncated Searches

• Classification Systems (Dewey and LCC)

• Discussion involving alternate places for gathering information (other catalogs (WorldCAT) & interlibrary loan)

Periodicals:

• Popular vs. Peer Reviewed Journals.

• Locating Information in Periodicals using Indexes/Citation Sources.

• Locating Periodicals in OPAC.

• Understanding Full-Text

• Performing searches using skills learned in OPAC lesson

• Digital Image databases (LUNA, etc.)

BREAK

Tour of the Library

In Class Assignment

1) Write out your thesis statement. Convert your thesis statement into keywords. List keywords and possible synonyms. Attempt to convert keywords into Subject Headings or discover applicable subject headings based upon keyword searches in OPAC. List Subject Headings. Perform searches using keywords and subject headings. List a few applicable results discovered using keyword search. List a few applicable results discovered using subject heading search. Write a short evaluation on the quality of results obtained using both keyword and subject heading searches.

Take Home Assignment

Complete Assignment Page

2) BY NOON, TUESDAY, OCT. 17: Using some of the tools introduced to you, locate periodical information relevant to your topic. Locate information relevant to your research in 5 articles, at least 3 of which should be from peer-reviewed journals. Post citations for each article to your blog, accompanied by brief annotations. Describe the process you used to find your articles (which databases, search terms used).

3) BY NOON, TUESDAY, OCT. 17: Locate a minimum of 3 monographs that are relevant to your research topic. Post citations for each monograph to your blog, accompanied by brief annotations.

Required Reading:

*Shirky, Clay. “Ontology is Overrated: Categories, Links, and Tags.” Weblog entry. Clay Shirky’s Writings About the Internet. http://www.shirky.com/writings/ontology_overrated.html

- OR -

*Kroski, Ellyssa. “The Hive Mind: Folksonomies and User-Based Tagging.” Weblog entry. InfoTangle. http://infotangle.blogsome.com/2005/12/07/the-hive-mind-folksonomies-and-user-based-tagging/