Conducting Academic Research. Ref. desk: Circ. Desk:

Transcription

1 Conducting Academic Research Ref. desk: Circ. Desk:

2 To get started Your CCBC logon Username: Password: Welcome12345 Your library card Your CCBC photo ID CCBC Library 2

3 To get started Your CCBC logon Username: Password: Welcome12345 Your library card Your CCBC photo ID CCBC Library 3

4 If you need to print: At the Library: 10 cents per page if no photo ID 50 page limit per person per day At the Open Lab*: Free printing, no photo ID required *STC room 4114

5 Academic writing Different from personal and business writing Concise, precise language Emphasis on logic, evidence, and careful structure Based on reliable sources Follows a specific format (Writing in College, page 229) CCBC Library 5

6 Why use library resources? CCBC Library 6

7 Information from Library sources is Reviewed, edited, vetted Credible Organized Easily located Accessible 24/7 Free CCBC Library 7

8 Where to begin? tips First level: background sources (overview) Print: Subject encyclopedias Book chapters Electronic: Library research databases Pre-selected Web sites CCBC Library 14

9 Second step: In-depth information sources(details) Subject encyclopedias Summary of research on topic; statistics Newspapers Current events Journal articles Experimental articles, statistics Books Quality Web sites CCBC Library 16

10 What to do when results are not satisfactory Change search terms Try another database Ask for help CCBC Library 17

11 Conducting Research exercise CCBC Library 18

12 List keywords and related terms Thesis statement: Steroids have been proven addictive and therefore should be banned from sports. Steroids Addictive Banned Sports Keywords Related terms Performance-enhancing drugs Habit-forming Sanctions, penalties Competition, games

13 Additional example:

14

15 Wildcard and truncation Symbol Use Search for Will retrieve articles containing the terms Wildcard? replace each unknown character with? Truncation * enter the root of a search term and replace the ending with an *. ne?t comput* neat, nest, next computer, computers, computing, computation CCBC Library 22

16 Run your search Enter keywords or phrases only not whole sentences Join related terms with OR Combine keywords with AND Use truncation (*) to retrieve variants E.g., (deforestation OR forest fire*) AND (global warming OR greenhouse effect OR global carbon cycle) CCBC Library 23

17 Modify your search if necessary Change keywords Change limits Change databases Change type of source CCBC Library 27

18 10a. Gather citations Copy publication data from book s title page, and verso Web pages: print also home page Articles from databases in pdf file: make sure to print citation/abstract screen CCBC Library 31

19 10b. Read and summarize info Create note cards with full citation and notes (quotes or paraphrasing) Avoid cutting and pasting directly to your paper! CCBC Library 32

20 11. Combine it with your ideas and opinions Expand your outline by inserting documentation CCBC Library 33

21 12. Communicate your conclusions Write your rough draft / review / write the final copy and create works cited page Create notes for your speech / practice / deliver your speech Create PowerPoint presentation / deliver your presentation CCBC Library 34

22 To connect to databases 1. From the Library home page, click the Databases link 2. Click the link to Connect to... the database you wish to use 3. At the log on screen, enter Username: password: WelcomeIDnumber CCBC Library 35

23 To make sure your CCBC account is valid: 1. From the College home page, click access under Quick Links 2. At the log on screen, enter Username: password: WelcomeIDnumber If you cannot log on, please use your cell phone to call the IT Dept at CCBC Library 36