1. Presenter: Robin Pachtman, MLS
Spring 2013 – Instructor: Dr. Harlan

2. Outcome:
• Participants will receive an overview of library
research tools and techniques in order to identify
assignment related resources and become more
effective researchers.
Agenda:
• Identify Research Process
• Introduce NOVA Resources
• Explore Strategies for Searching
• Demonstrate Search Tips
• Discuss Website Evaluation
• Recognize Citation Tools

3. Research Process
• Create your question
• Explore resource tools
• Develop search terms
• Evaluate findings
• Synthesize results into research
document
• Cite Sources

4. Research Skills
Resourceful
(beyond Google)
Analytical
Persistent and Patient

5. Developing Search Terms
• Not conversational English
• Key words or phrases
• Synonyms, Related terms
• Think about
general vs. specific terms
broad vs. Narrow
• Use database subject
terms/thesaurus

6. Research Question
Which method is more
effective for learning,
distance or classroom
education?
Keywords are:

7. Review, Revise and Repeat
Search Terms:
• General Topic
Too many results
Add more information & related terms
• Narrower/Specific Topic
More focused and relevant results
• Try other Databases

8. Examples
Broad Narrow
1.Writers Women Writers Latin-American Isabelle Allende
Writers
Cars Sports Cars Porsche Porsche 911
Food Desserts Cake Brownies
1. Discuss the themes that
reoccur in a Latin-American
author of your choice.

9. Helpful Search Tips
Boolean Operators
•AND
•OR
•NOT

10. Resources
LAUNCHING
RESOURCES
BRANCHING OUT
Catalogues:
Books Works cited
Periodicals
Audio-Visuals (Film, TV, in previous
sources
Radio, etc.)
Internet (Websites and
Databases)
People:
Organizations and Other
People

11. Tools and resources
Search Engines
Publicly available web resources
Google
Anyone
Free
Databases (News, Research, Reference)
Secure sites (Not accessible via search
engines)
Articles in Journals, Magazines and
Newspapers
Experts
$$$$

12. Databases vs. Google
• Very organized
• All results standardized
• More relevant results
• Less likely to get false
information

13. Efficiency, Organization,
Credibility
Compare Google and
Academic Search Complete

14. NOVA Resources
NOVA LIBRARY http:www.nvcc.edu/library
Access from home:
Login with
My NOVA
account

15. More Tips…
Wildcards
? = any letter (Ex. Colo?r)
Truncation
* = various endings to root word
(Ex. garden*)
Quotes
“phrase” = exact wording
(Ex. “plastic water bottle”)

16. Evaluating…Be Skeptical!
Currency Time
Relevance Topical
Authority Who
Accuracy What
Purpose Why
Is it C.R.A.A.P?
*Adapted with permission from author: Sarah Blakeslee, California State University, Chico

17. Website Evaluation
The Scientist

18. Citation Resources
Writing Center 4th fl.

19. Don’t forget…evaluate with a
critical eye!
What does
Google know…
about you?

20. Need help? Have Questions?
Come to the Library
Online help 24/7 via
Ask a Librarian
Contact me:
rpachtman@nvcc.edu
703-323-2328