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 BrutlagStephanie Wells, LibrarianCONQUER 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 SourcesSEARCH TOOL:LIBRARY CATALOGENCYCLOPEDIASProvide short entries/articles for an overview of the topic and its main ideas .SEARCH TOOL:PERIODICAL DATABASEBOOKSGive more information for an in-depth exploration of one or more aspects of the topic.(Example: Case study books, textbooks)JOURNAL ARTICLESLengthy scholarly research studies on an extremely focused aspect of a subject.

4. Research SourcesSEARCH TOOL:PERIODICAL DATABASENEWSPAPER ARTICLESVery brief news reports that focus on current events or topics currently in the news. MAGAZINE ARTICLESAs 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 SourcesPROQUEST RESEARCH LIBRARY(Journal Articles)LIBRARY CATALOG(Books)

6. Start research from the library webpageFIND BOOKSFIND JOURNAL, MAGAZINE, AND NEWSPAPER ARTICLES

7. From off-campus, use AccessRIO

8. First, Create A Good Search StrategyNarrow your topic to one manageable issueThe words are key: create a good keyword search strategy

9. Good Beginning QuestionPornography“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 TopicClass 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 collegeConsequential: 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 TopicWhat 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 steps1. Read an article in a subject encyclopedia.e.g., Encyclopedia of Race and Racism2. 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 keywords1. What is my issue?Example: Race in the entertainment industryWhat 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 search4. What are other forms of my keywords?(racial OR ethnic)“entertainmentindustry”stereotyp*SIMILAR & RELATED TERMSFind ALL related resourcesPHRASE SEARCHINGUse “quotation marks” around common phrasesTRUNCATIONSearches for all words with the same stem(stereotype, stereotyping)

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

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

17. Activity: Narrow Your Topic and Search ProQuestIf 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 visitingThe Rio Hondo College Library!RESEARCH GUIDE FOR SOC 101libguides.riohondo.edu/brutlagsoc101Stephanie Wells swells@riohondo.eduQUESTIONS? 562-908-3484