Upward Bound:Learning how to research
Laksamee [email protected] Research & Instruction Librarian
Slides: http://bit.ly/upb2014c1
First… Laksamee Putnam [email protected] Cook Library Reference:
410.704.2462. IM/email
Phone: 410.704.3746. Twitter: @CookLibraryofTU Albert S. Cook facebook profile! Slides: http://bit.ly/upb2014c1
Agenda Pre-class reading Discussion Background reading/Internet searching Keywords Evaluating Resources
Wikipedia Woes and Google Gaffs
What are the pros and cons of so much information being online?
What do you do to be sure you’re finding credible resources? How do you evaluate
the information you find while researching?
Why is it important to support your argument with valid sources?
New York Times (2013) If a Story Is Viral, Truth May Be Taking a Beating http://nyti.ms/1d7MUUB
Google Analytics (2012) Google analytics in real life – Site search. http://youtu.be/cbtf1oyNg-8
DuckDuckGo (2012). There are no “regular results” on Google anymore.http://vimeo.com/duckduckgo/bubble
Web “Pre-Searching” Why start your search online?
Find background information
Help solidify research topic
Find new terminology to use as keywords
Find links and/or citations to other sources
Improve Google
Cryogenic and organ
Advanced Google searching
Duck Duck Go
Pop culture and society
Cook Library’s Guide to the Web
Check out the Subject Gateways
Keywords are critical! Sample topic:
What are the challenges of cryogenics?
First, break the question down into key concepts: What are the challenges of cryogenics?
More on keywords… Expand your list to include synonyms then
add to it once you have done some background reading.
What are the challenges of cryogenics?
challenges cryogenics other stuff…
organsethicstechnology
cryonicscryosurgerycryobiology
NASAUnited StatesAlcor
Create keywords Enter your research topic on your
worksheet Fill in keywords/synonyms
What helped you find synonyms?
Search Tip #1Boolean “search connectors”
AND OR NOT
internet AND children Combining >1 topic
instruct OR teach Combining synonymous
terms
Which is better?
Search Tip #2 Use truncation!
Educat* finds Educate Education Educating Educator
Etc…
Search Tip #3 Phrase Searching…
Use quotations to keep a keyword phrase intact (words will be searched in the specific order)
Examples: “No Child Left Behind” “school reform”
Putting it all together… What are the challenges of cryogenics?
(organs OR embryo) AND cryogenics
(ethics OR religion) AND “life preservation”
(technology OR MRI) AND cryo*
challenges cryogenics other stuff…
organsethicstechnology
cryonicscryosurgerycryobiology
NASAUnited StatesAlcor
Create a search strategy Using the keywords on your worksheet
and the search tips mentioned here create a search strategy
Evaluate what you find Go to one of the websites below and
analyze it http://bit.ly/cosmicweb3 http://bit.ly/cosmicweb4 http://bit.ly/cosmicweb5 http://bit.ly/cosmicweb6 http://bit.ly/cosmicweb7
CurrencyReliabilityAuthorityPurpose/Point of View
Check for CRAP
Check for CRAP Currency
How recent is the information?
Can you locate a date when the resource was written/created/updated?
Based on your topic, is this current enough?
Why might the date matter for your topic?
Guidelines for CRAP provided by the Jean and Alexander Heard Library
http://www.flickr.com/photos/helloeveryone123/3937374193/sizes/m/in/photostream/
Check for CRAP Reliability
What kind of information is included in the resource?
Does the author provide citations & references for quotations & data
Where am I accessing this information?
Guidelines for CRAP provided by the Jean and Alexander Heard Library
http://www.flickr.com/photos/schnappi/5930145952/sizes/l/in/photostream/
Check for CRAP Authority
Can you determine who the author/creator is?
What are their credentials (education, affiliation, experience, etc.)?
Who is the publisher or sponsor of the work/site?
Is this publisher/sponsor reputable
Guidelines for CRAP provided by the Jean and Alexander Heard Library
http://rantchick.com/a-doctrine-on-respect/
Check for CRAP Purpose/Point of View
Is the content primarily opinion?
Is the information balanced or biased?
What is the purpose of the information? Is it to inform, teach, sell, entertain or persuade
Guidelines for CRAP provided by the Jean and Alexander Heard Library
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cogdog/5484085301/sizes/m/in/photostream/
Group work Complete Part 2 of your worksheet
Work together!
Find a reliable website
Find a “bad” website
Thanks for listening! Complete the paper worksheet!
Next class: Watch 2 videos and prepare for discussion Use your keywords to find books/articles
Questions? Feel free to contact me:
Laksamee Putnam [email protected] 410.704.3746. Twitter: @CookLibraryofTU
Or any reference librarian: Visit Cook Library Reference Desk 410.704.2462. IM – tucookchat
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