This document provides guidance on how to conduct sociological research through narrowing topics, developing search strategies, and finding relevant sources. It discusses narrowing broad topics to specific research questions and constructing keyword searches using related terms and truncation. The document recommends starting with encyclopedias to narrow topics before searching scholarly databases like ProQuest, and provides tips on identifying scholarly journal articles. The goal is to help students effectively search for high-quality sources to explore sociological issues in depth.

1. SOCIOLOGY– Brian Brutlag CONQUER THE WORLD THROUGH RESEARCH

2. Today you will learn how to… Find books and journal articles. Develop strategies for narrowing your topic. Use advanced search strategies in ProQuest Research Library to find scholarly journal articles on your topic.

3. Research Sources SEARCH TOOL: LIBRARY CATALOG ENCYCLOPEDIAS Provide short entries/articles for an overview of the topic and its main ideas . SEARCH TOOL: PERIODICAL DATABASE BOOKS Give more information for an in-depth exploration of one or more aspects of the topic. (Example: Case study books, textbooks) JOURNAL ARTICLES Lengthy scholarly research studies on an extremely focused aspect of a subject.

4. Research Sources SEARCH TOOL: PERIODICAL DATABASE NEWSPAPER ARTICLES Very brief news reports that focus on current events or topics currently in the news. MAGAZINE ARTICLES As short as encyclopedia articles, but instead of an overview, magazines narrow the focus to one or two specific aspects of a topic.

5. Two Search Tools to Find Good Sources PROQUEST RESEARCH LIBRARY (Journal Articles) LIBRARY CATALOG (Books)

6. Start research from the library webpage FIND BOOKS FIND JOURNAL, MAGAZINE, AND NEWSPAPER ARTICLES

7. TYPE IN KEYWORDS THEN CLICK “SEARCH ALL”

8. SCROLL DOWN THE PAGE UNTIL YOU FIND A GOOD TITLE

9. CLICK ON TITLE TO SEE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE BOOK

10. BOOK IS FILED ON THE SHELF ALPHABETICALLY & NUMERICALLY “CIRCULATING BOOK” MEANS YOU CAN CHECK IT OUT

11. CLICK ON “CATALOG RECORD” FOR MORE INFORMATION

12. TABLE OF CONTENTS IS INCLUDED FOR MOST BOOKS SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE

13. USE THE “SUBJECTS” TO FIND MORE BOOKS LIKE THIS ONE CLICK HERE

14. WE WENT FROM 16 NOT SO GOOD TITLES TO 33 BETTER ONES!

15. YOU WILL USUALLY FIND BETTER BOOKS BY FINDING (AND USING!) THE SUBJECT HEADINGS

16. First, Create A Good Search Strategy Narrow your topic to one manageable issue The words are key: create a good keyword search strategy

17. Excellent Narrowed Topic Plastic Surgery “How does television influence a woman to opt for plastic surgery?” Research requirements: Examination of images in the media and how they relate to the majority of women in society that watches that media. Examination of factors that contribute to women’s decision to have plastic surgery. Characteristics: Debatable. Plausible. Consequential.

18. Excellent Narrowed Topic Class Inequality “What role does class play in higher education in terms of acceptance and type of education available?” Characteristics: Debatable: does class play a role at all? Plausible: both sides of the argument have plausible reasons. It can be argued that scholarship and grant opportunities eliminate the class barrier. It can also be argued that historical discrimination creates underprepared students. Consequential: whether one has access to a good education affects the health of both the individual, his/her family, community, and also the health of the global community.

19. Narrow Your Topic What effects do maquiladoras have on border towns? Multiple “effects:” Economic? Environmental? Crime? Treatment of women factory workers? Immigration? Need to choose one AND identify a controversy. Most topics are too ambitious. Select ONE compelling aspect of your topic, and focus on that aspect only.

20. How to narrow your topic: two steps 1. Read Article in Subject Encyclopedia. i.e. Encyclopedia of Race and Racism 2. Ask a question about your issue. Your answer will form your thesis statement, and the evidence will form your paper or speech: Topic: Race in the entertainment industry Narrowed Research Question:How does the entertainment industry contribute to racial and ethnic stereotypes in society?

21. Come up with keywords 1. What is my issue? Example: Race in the entertainment industry What do I want to know? How does the entertainment industry contribute to racial and ethnic stereotypes in society? What are the main words in the question? entertainment industry racial ethnic stereotypes

22. Construct a keyword search 4. What are other forms of my keywords? (racial OR ethnic) “entertainment industry” stereotyp* SIMILAR & RELATED TERMS Find ALL related resources PHRASE SEARCHING Use “quotation marks” around common phrases TRUNCATION Searches for all words with the same stem (stereotype, stereotyping)

23. A Good Keyword Search Saves Time Put your keywords together and use them to search both periodical databases and internet search engines:

24. Periodical Databases CQ RESEARCHER PROQUEST RESEARCH LIBRARY

25. Scholarly Journal Articles What is a scholarly journal? How can you tell if you have found a scholarly journal article?

26. Activity: Narrow Your Topic and Search ProQuest If you haven’t sufficiently narrowed your topic, use Gale Virtual Reference to locate an encyclopedia article on your topic. Read it and write a narrowed research question. Test various keyword search combinationsin ProQuest Research Library. Try to get a list of under 400 articles for your narrowed topic.

27. Thank you for visiting The Rio Hondo College Library! RESEARCH GUIDE FOR SOC 101 libguides.riohondo.edu/Soc2011 Robin Babourbabou@riohondo.edu Judy Sevillajsevilla@riohondo.edu Gina Singhgsingh@riohondo.edu Stephanie Wellsswells@riohondo.edu Adele Enrightaenright@riohondo.edu QUESTIONS? 562-908-3484