Annotated Bibliography & Research Strategies

PLSC 366

Traci Welch MoritzPublic Services Librarian/Assistant ProfessorHeterick Memorial Library

What today is all about

0Aid in constructing research strategy for finding resources for annotated bibliography

0Find resources in library catalog and databases available

0Everything shown today is available at Research Guides for HONR 231

To get you

started

Research Guide for PLSC 366

http://libguides.onu.edu/historiography

Writing an analytical research paper

DO:0 Exploring the topic0 Research the topic0 Explain the topic0 Critically evaluate0 Use primary and

secondary resources

DO NOT:0 Take a stance0 Be persuasive0 Worry about your

definitive research question too soon

Ask a question

What do I do first?Take a look at your topic and identify key

search terms, Ask a question.Most databases now use an implied boolean

logic search scheme so a keyword search will get you started.

Boolean logic is the use of AND, NOT, OR to narrow or expand your search

See Research Guide for PLSC 336.

WHO CARES?

Research Strategy

• Start big doing background reading

• Narrow your topic for a more focused product

• Research narrowed topic using subject specific databases

• Keep track of bibliographic citations to avoid trouble down the road.

Ask a question

Annotated Bibliography

0Allows you to see what is out there

0Helps you narrow your topic and discard any irrelevant materials

0Aids in developing the thesis 0Makes you a better scholar

Managing Information - RefWorks

0Licensed state-wide, access free to Ohio students for the rest of your life!

0See: http://0-www.refworks.com.polar.onu.edu/

0Write n’ Cite interfaces with MS Word0Excellent Tutorials0Help available at Heterick 0Research Guide for HONR 231 for

instructions on how to get your free-for-a-life-time account

Bibliographic Citation Software

REFWORKS

Google and Wikipedia aren’t intrinsically evil, just use them for the correct purpose in your research.

Internet Tools

FIND INTERNET RESOURCES

Comprehensive search engines: • Alta Vista • Ask.com • Excite

Subject portals:

• Librarians' Index to the Internet

• WWW Virtual Library

Multi-engine searching: MetaCrawler VivisimoWIKIPEDIA

• Scholar.Google • Hotbot • Lycos • Wisenut

Internet Tools

Google Scholar

ONU buysFull-textdatabase

OhioLINKPermits

Google tolink to full-text

Google asksto link tocontent

ONU user sees licensed full-textarticles

Run Google ScholarSearch

Note: If working offcampus please see the “google scholar” tab at the Research Guide

Internet Tools

Critically analyzing web sources

0What? is the page/site about0Who? created and maintains this site0Where? Is the information coming from 0Why? Is the information presented on the web 0When? Was the page created or last updated0How? Accurate or credible is the page

Used with permission by the library staff at Wisconsin

What do I do next?Use library resources to continue your background research.

FIND A BOOK∞POLAR

• Looks in several locations (usually subject, article title, abstracts or contents)

• Does not require an exact match• Generates comparatively large number of hits (not precise)

• Good if you are not familiar with terminology

• Look for the same or similar words which keep appearing

FIND A BOOK∞POLAR

• Looks in one place – subject• Usually requires an exact match between your term and a pre-set list of terms

• Precise• Can be used after keyword search has identified specific subjects

FIND A BOOK∞POLARClick on the “Find Similar Items” link found on each item record

Find a Book∞OhioLink0Materials owned by all Ohio colleges,

universities, several public libraries0Ca. 10 million items0Link from POLAR permits you to submit

requests. Available from Heterick home page0Most requests arrive in 2-3 working days0No charge 0Limited to 100 items at a time0MAY RENEW UP TO 4 TIMES

What do I do next?Use databases to find articles based on your

search strategy

Research Tools∞Databases

0Often tools for locating journal and newspaper articles

0Most are subject-specific – some multi-disciplinary

0Many give access to full text of articles0Heterick has over 250

0Over 20,000 journals indexed, most are full text

0Divided by subject area offered at ONU

0Begin with a general database, 0Academic Search Complete0JSTOR

Research Tools∞Databases

Find an Article0Periodical means the

same as MagazineUsually magazines are

more “popular”

0JournalsScholarly or ProfessionalPeer reviewed See Research Guide

for HONR 231 for this and other Handouts

Primary v. SecondaryPrimary Secondary

0 In the humanities, a primary source could be defined as something that was created either during the time period being studied or afterward by individuals reflecting on their involvement in the events of that time.

0 Secondary Sources analyze or interpret an historical event or artistic work. Secondary sources often base their theories and arguments on the direct evidence found in primary sources. A secondary work for a subject is one that discusses the subject but is written after the time contemporary with it.

Primary Sources: Definitions. Lafayette College Libraries & Academic Information Resources. <http://ww2.lafayette.edu/~library/guides/primarysources/definitions.html>

Accessed August 8, 2007.

Secondary Sources defined. Ellen George. University of British Columbia Library http://toby.library.ubc.ca/webpage/webpage.cfm?id=579#footnotes1>.Access August 8, 2007

A. Academic Search CompleteB. JSTORC. Lexis-NexisD. Worldwide Political Science

AbstractsE. International Political Science

Abstracts

Research Tools∞Databases

General Database

Scholarly journals, peer reviewed articles

Academic Search Complete

General Database

Scholarly journals, peer reviewed articles

JSTOR

Newspapers at Heterick 0 Ada Herald0 Akron Beacon Journal0 The Blade -- Toledo0 Chicago Tribune0 Chronicle of Higher Education0 Cincinnati Enquirer0 Columbus Dispatch0 Courier -- Findlay0 Courier Journal -- Louisville0 Dayton Daily News0 Kenton Times0 Lima News0 Los Angeles Times0 New York Times0 Plain Dealer -- Cleveland0 Wall Street Journal0 Washington Post

0 Until microform arrives0 30 days0 30 days0 30 days0 Until microform arrives0 30 days0 30 days0 30 days0 30 days0 30 days0 30 days0 30 days0 30 days0 Until microform arrives0 30 days0 Until microform arrives0 30 days

Lexis Nexis Academic Wall Street Journal Historical New York Times Newspaper databases at HML

Subject Specific Database

Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

0Use when you need a book or article that is not available online, not owned by ONU or available via OhioLINK

0No charge/ limit on requests0Most requests take 5-7 days to fill0Use ILL form on library web pages.

QUESTIONS?

0Ask at the Reference Desk0Phone the Reference Desk – 21850Contact us by E-mail

reference@onu.edu 0Use Chat Help feature or the IM0IM feature