LIR 30 Week 5 Where Do You Find Information?. Class Announcements Buy a Reader! Keep up with your...
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Transcript of LIR 30 Week 5 Where Do You Find Information?. Class Announcements Buy a Reader! Keep up with your...
Topics for LIR 10 Week 5
Where Do You Find Information?Finding information in librariesDatabasesWriting annotations/ how to scan books
for annotating
Pep talk
Confusion & uncertainty is normal!Don’t “rush from topic to data dump”
Booth, Colomb and Williams: The Craft of Research
Contradictory lecture info: Spend some time asking questions, thinking
about context to save time later Thinking like an indexer comes into play
More pep talk
Process not always straightforwardAvoid leaping into “data dump” by finding
background information, context Textbooks Reference books Circulating books
Another contradiction: find context helps you focus!
So, today…
Keep thesis statement/research question in mind, think about “what you need to know first”
As we learn about library resources, think about how you’ll use them
Dual processes: New skills Context of your project It’s a challenge!
So…
You’ve identified key elements (scope, purpose audience) of research project
You’ve created a research question or thesis statement
What next?
What is a library?
Old view:
Building housing organized collection of books and other materials borrowed or used at site
Image from NYPL Picture CollectionThe NYPL Picture Collection Online
What is a library?Libraries today: Content (books,
periodicals, multimedia) and function (providing tools access information in library, or available through library)
supporting needs of library user
Libraries aim to provide “one stop shopping” for information and research needs: Books for reference, borrowingJournals, newspapers, magazinesMultimediaOnline databases Guided access to Internet sources
Library Coping Skills 101– Check your ReaderGlossary (list of terms) How to find a bookLibrary of Congress infoLC outline
Today’s class focuses on books
Circulating book stacks Majority of collection Circulating = available for check-out
Reference section next week Non-circulating = can’t be checked out Should be there when needed
Central idea of every library: information is collected and
organized…
easily located & retrieved by users
Thinking about Information Finding Tools (IFTs)
Sources vs. Finding Tools Finding tools provide access to sources Sources (articles, books, documents) provide
content
Stand-alone vs. combined with content “Green Books” example vs. online databases
Structure of Information Finding Tools
Tools you use to find information Or, sources
Arranged in some way,
whether you notice or not
Common elements in IFTs
Access records (information about where to find a source), may include content
Each IFT “searchable” in a different way Subject Keyword Title Author
Which means that…
Each IFT has to create those ways to search
Each “way” describes an attribute or aspect of the information in the IFT Books have title, author, subject, etc.
Databases
Organized body of related information Simple: Rolodex file Complex: periodical database, millions of records
Record = item in databaseRecords consist of collection of fieldsFields = attributes, characteristics of item
Databases
Words, numbers describing attributes/ characteristics highly controlled …otherwise there would be a big mess!
Database arrangement based on its content & user in mind
Database Elements
Fields: Contain data elements, attributes, descriptions Discreet pieces of information about item Grouped together, comprise record
Records: Contain data elements in a number of fields Can be searched by field Grouped together, comprise database
Playing the Fields
Clothes Database: Color Season Work vs. casual vs.
sports Designer name
Each field represents an attribute, or way of describing item of clothingLet’s search my Clothing Database
Each piece of clothing represented by a record
Each record has fields!
Searching
Jean Filkins’ Fabulous Wardrobe Database
Advanced Search
Color:
Season:
Designer:
black
winter
versace
Search Results:
35 items:
Sleeveless wool sheath
Leather pants
Etc., etc., etc.
Thoughts about my database…
What if I decided that one skirt was orange…
another more like pumpkin…
this one’s more like curry…?
Controlled vocabulary!
(An agreed-upon list of terms for searching, organizing)
They can make your dreams come true…
Searching library catalog or for that special someone, you’re compiling a list of the perfect…
attributes! tall British handsome
circulating book about social security written recently
Each Attribute
Reflects an aspect of the item being described
In “information land” these aspects are in fields
Fields: Height: tall Nationality: Brit Attractiveness level:
handsome
Type of publication: circulating book
Subject: social security Date: recent
Introduction to the Library Catalog
Finds information about library holdingsContent available via e-books
Now the library catalog looks like this:
Find the catalog at: http://www.santarosa.edu/library/index.shtml
Subject Heading vs. Keyword
“Official” term describing topic found in subject field of database, catalog, etc
Based on agreed-upon list of terms
Words describing aspects of topic found in article text, citation, catalogue entry
Can be “found anywhere” (almost)
Library catalog demonstration
http://www.santarosa.edu/library/index.shtmlDistinction between:
Subject heading Keyword
Our test case: Snakes
In-class worksheet
Sneaky catalog trick
Using keyword to find a topic Keyword anywhere search Pick appropriate book Scan record, click on best subject heading Different from “See references”
General Guidelines for Annotations
In your Reader and online…
http://online.santarosa.edu/homepage/jfilkins/annotations.html
What is an Annotated Bibliography?
List of citations to books, articles and documents (e.g. sources) Followed by brief (200-250 words) descriptive
and evaluative paragraph: the annotation Informs reader of the relevance, accuracy,
and quality of sources cited
Annotations vs. Abstracts
Abstracts: Purely descriptive
summaries often found at the beginning of scholarly journal articles or in periodical indexes
Annotations: Descriptive and
critical Expose the author's
point of view, authority Evaluate reliability,
timeliness of information
Relevance to your research
Before Writing Your Annotation
Locate books, periodicals, documents
Sources should support all aspects of your topic
Examine and review, choose works that provide a variety of perspectives on your topic
Before Writing Your Annotation
Books: Not necessary to read in entirety Read or use scanning technique
Periodical and Internet sources: Must be read completely No newspaper articles or book reviews
Cite each book, article or document using MLA style
Annotation Workshop
Don’t write a review!
1. Using separate piece of paper, write down 5 criteria:
Scope/Coverage Treatment/Reliability Authority Relevancy Timeliness/Currency
Annotation Workshop: No Reviews!
2. Leave space below each of the criteria
3. As you read source, jot down impressions under each heading
4. Do more research if necessary (especially regarding authority)
5. Read source again, develop your ideas
Annotation Workshop: No Reviews!
6. Start writing your annotation:
7. Make each criteria is covered completely
8. Proofread for errors
9. Double check citation format
10. Check the final project format for spacing, indents, etc.
What will the final project look like?
5 sources 5 citations 3 annotations
Link to mock-up available on Lecture Notes Page
Anatomy of a Book
End flap information on authorTitle page, verso citation informationTable of contents broad outlineIntroduction focus of bookBibliography sources for bookAppendices additional information
Study the Index and Table of Contents
Index identifies key concepts, peopleTable of Contents reveals focus of bookLook at bibliography for related information
Scanning Technique for Books
Book Examine sections or chapters Read introduction Look for special features Find out about the author
End flaps, introduction, acknowledgements Search online databases Online search for personal or academic websites,
professional affiliations, etc.