10 Library Research

8/9/2019 10 Library Research

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Library Research


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Introductionto Library Research

The American Library Association defines information literacy asthe set of skills needed to:

Recognize the need for information

Access appropriate resources

Evaluate information/sources

Use information effectively

Understand ethical/legal restrictions


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Define a Topic

Your first step in beginningyour research is to defineyour topic by asking yourselfwhat it is that you wanttowrite your paper about.

Youve brainstormed and

determined a subjectthat youdlike to write about.


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Type ofInformation

Now that you understand how todefine a topic, we will examine whichsources of information are best for

finding the following types ofinformation:

Current

Background

Scholarly Opinion-based

Statistical


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Sources BEST for information

Current refers to only the most recentdevelopments onthe topic, publishedwithinthe last year or so.

For current information, the bestsources are:

Journals

Magazines

Newspapers


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Background refers to generalinformation, often brief, and with ahistorical perspective.

For background information, the bestsources are:

Books



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Scholarly refers to the in-depth studyof a subjector topic, peer-reviewedand scholarly.

For scholarly information, the bestsources are:

Books Journals


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Opinion-based refers to a judgment by aperson who may or may not be an expertonthe topic; the bias ofthe author is usedto sway the opinion ofthe reader.

For opinion-based information, the bestsources are:

Magazines

Newspapers

The Web


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Statistical refers to numerical datathatmay be raw or analyzed(interpreted numbers).

For statistical information, the bestsources are:

Sources specializing instatistics (i.e.the Indian.Census)

Research studies

Governmentdocuments


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The library research process

Analyze the research subject

Identify research tools andcollections to use

Locate and obtain resources

Read and evaluate

Keep records


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References

List of references contains detailsonly ofthose works cited inthetext.

Small research projects willneedonly a reference section.

This includes allthe literature towhich you have referred in yourreport.


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Evaluation Criteria

Consider these points whenevaluating books, periodicals,articles, web pages,

newspapers, etc.

Accuracy

Authority

Objectivity Currency or Timeliness

Coverage or Scope


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Bibliography

The bibliography should give a clear,complete description ofthe sources thatwere used while preparing the report.

It is an alphabeticallist as per the

authors surname. For all projects that require literature

review, a bibliography is necessary.


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E.g. of Bibliography

1. Book with one author or editor:

Bell, Stewart. The Martyr's Oath: TheApprenticeship of a Homegrown Terrorist.

Mississauga, ON: Wiley, 2005

.

Biale, David, ed. Cultures ofthe Jews: A NewHistory. New York: Schocken, 2002.

Bowker, Michael.FatalDeception: The UntoldStory of Asbestos: Why ItIs Still Legal

and Still Killing Us. N.p.: Rodale, 2003.


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Abstracts

Is a summary of a book or article.

Summarize the study, includingthe following elements in any

abstract


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Contents of Abstract

Purpose ofthe study - hypothesis,overall question, objective

Model organism or system and brief

descriptio

nof

the experime

nt

Results, including specific data - iftheresults are quantitative innature, reportquantitative data; results of anystatistical analysis should be reported

Important conclusions or questions thatfollow from the experiment(s)


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Guidelines to write an abstract

Single paragraph, and concise

As a summary of work done, it is always written inpasttense

An abstractshould stand on its own, and not refer to

any other part ofthe paper such as a figure or table Focus on summarizing results - limit background

informationto a sentence or two, if absolutelynecessary

Whatyou report in an abstractmustbe consistent

with what you reported inthe paper Correctspelling, clarity of sentences and phrases,

and proper reporting of quantities (proper units,significant figures) are justas important in anabstractas they are anywhere else


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Appendices:

This is a simple section consisting ofterms and definitions.

If you have constructed a questionnaireor Interview schedule for your research,

it may be usefulto include them in yourreport as an appendix.

Appendices do not counttowards yourtotalnumber of pages/words.

It is a useful way of including relevantmaterial so thatthe examiner can gain adeeper understanding of your work by

reading it.

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10 Library Research