This document provides guidance on developing effective research strategies for SOC 101. It discusses how to narrow a research topic into a focused question and develop keyword searches. Specific databases and tools are recommended, including the library catalog, periodical databases, and ProQuest Research Library. Students are instructed on evaluating source types such as books, journal articles, newspapers, magazines, and determining what constitutes a scholarly journal article. The librarian contact info is provided for any additional questions.

1. SOC 101 – Brian Brutlag Stephanie Wells, Librarian 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. From off-campus, use AccessRIO

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

9. Good Beginning Question Pornography “What effects does pornography have on male and female identity?” Research requirements: Find some articles on this topic and refine the question. Characteristics: Debatable. Plausible. Consequential.

10. Excellent Narrowed Topic Class Inequality “How does social class affect the quality of education in high schools (in California)?” Characteristics: Debatable: does class play a role at all? Plausible: schools in lower-income areas have fewer graduates and fewer students pursuing college 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.

11. Narrow Your Topic What factors are associated with the rise of divorce? Cohabitation and the well-being of children involved. Most topics are too ambitious. Select ONE compelling aspect of your topic, and focus on that aspect only.

12. How to narrow your topic: two steps 1. Read an article in a subject encyclopedia. e.g., 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?

13. 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

14. 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)

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

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

17. Activity: Narrow Your Topic and Search ProQuest If you haven’t sufficiently narrowed your topic, use Gale Virtual Reference or an encyclopedia to find an article on your topic. Read it and write a narrowed research question. Test various keyword search combinationsin ProQuest Research Library.

18. Thank you for visiting The Rio Hondo College Library! RESEARCH GUIDE FOR SOC 101 libguides.riohondo.edu/brutlagsoc101 Stephanie Wells swells@riohondo.edu QUESTIONS? 562-908-3484