This document provides an introduction and overview of field research and how to do research using library resources for an English 153 college composition class. It begins with welcoming the students and introducing the librarian, Traci Welch Moritz, and her contact information. The next sessions will cover what field research is, how to do research, and what library resources to use for research, including catalogs and databases. Field research involves observing phenomena in their natural environment through methods like participant observation and taking extensive field notes. The document then provides guidance on developing a research topic as a question, identifying keywords, testing the topic, using reference tools like the catalog and databases, evaluating internet and other resources, and contacting the librarian for help.

1. English 153College Composition 3 Traci Welch Moritz Public Services Librarian Assistant Professor Heterick Memorial Library

2. Introduction Welcome Traci Welch Moritz, t-moritz@onu.edu Feel free to visit or email Librarians on duty 8-4, 6-9 Mon – Thurs, 8-4 Friday and 10-3:30 on Sundays IM and Chat Reference available certain times

5. Field Research Finding information about how to do field research Today -- Catalogs Next Friday -- Databases

6. Field Research Field research can be considered either as a broad approach to qualitative research or a method of gathering qualitative data. The essential idea is that the researcher goes “into the field” to observe the phenomenon in it’s natural state or in situ. As such, it is probably most related to the method of participant observation. The field researcher typically takes extensive field notes which are subsequently coded and analysed in a variety of ways (Trochimn, B 1999)

7. Field Research What is qualitative research? Qualitative research is a method of inquiry employed in many different academic disciplines, traditionally in the social sciences, but also in market research and further contexts.[1] Qualitative researchers aim to gather an in-depth understanding of human behavior and the reasons that govern such behavior. The qualitative method investigates the why and how of decision making, not just what, where, when. Hence, smaller but focused samples are more often needed, rather than large samples. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qualitative_research

8. Field Research Observation Participant Direct Interview Survey Print Person Mail/Email Phone

9. Field Research More info on qualitative research http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/qual.php http://www.qsrinternational.com/what-is-qualitative-research.aspx http://wilderdom.com/research/QualitativeVersusQuantitativeResearch.html http://carbon.ucdenver.edu/~mryder/itc/pract_res.html

11. Identify main concepts or keywords

12. Test the topic -- Look for keywords and synonyms and related terms for the information sought Subject headings in catalogs Built-in thesauri in many databases Reference sources Textbooks, lecture notes, readings Internet Librarians, Instructors STEP 1

13. HOW TO DO RESEARCH STEP 2

14. REFERENCE TOOLS

15. Click on the “Search POLAR” link

17. Does not require an exact match

18. Generates comparatively large number of hits (not precise)

19. Good if you are not familiar with terminologyKEYWORD

20. FIND A BOOK∞POLAR KEYWORD

21. Search terms -- subject Looks in one place – subject line Usually requires an exact match between your term and a pre-set list of terms Precise Can be used after a keyword search has identified specific subjects SUBJECT

22. FIND A BOOK∞POLAR SUBJECT

23. Research Tools∞OhioLink Materials owned by all Ohio colleges, universities, several public libraries Ca. 10 million items Link from POLAR permits you to submit requests. Available from Heterick home page Most requests arrive in 2-3 working days No charge Limited to 100 items at a time MAY RENEW UP TO 4 TIMES

24. RESEARCH TOOLS∞INTERNET Google and Wikipedia aren’t evil, just use them for the correct purpose in your research.

26. Ask.com

28. WWW Virtual Library

29. Scholar.Google

30. Hotbot

31. Lycos

32. WisenutMulti-engine searching: MetaCrawler Vivisimo WIKIPEDIA STEP 4

33. Internet Tools Google Scholar Note: If working off campus user see “Google Scholar” tab in ENGL 152, 153 Research Guide ONU buys Full-text database Google asks to link to content OhioLINK Permits Google to link to full-text Run Google Scholar Search ONU user sees licensed full-text articles

34. Internet Tools Does the information located satisfy the research need? Is the information factual and unbiased? See handout “Critically Analyzing Information Sources” on the p: drive, Library Instruction folder and the Help/Instruction page at Library website

35. Evaluating Resources How to interpret the basics 1. Accuracy of Web Documents 2. Authority of Web Documents 3. Objectivity of Web Documents 4. Currency of Web Documents 5. Coverage of the Web Documents STEP 5 Kapoun, Jim. "Teaching undergrads WEB evaluation: A guide for library instruction." C&RL News (July/August 1998): 522-523.

36. Evaluating Resources Accuracy.If your page lists the author and institution that published the page and provides a way of contacting him/her and… Authority.If your page lists the author credentials and its domain is preferred (.edu, .gov, .org, or .net), and, … Objectivity.If your page provides accurate information with limited advertising and it is objective in presenting the information, and… STEP 6

37. Evaluating Resources Currency.If your page is current and updated regularly (as stated on the page) and the links (if any) are also up-to-date, and… Coverage.If you can view the information properly--not limited to fees, browser technology, or software requirement, then… You may have a Web page that could be of value to your research! STEP 6

38. HELP Traci Welch Moritz, MLS Public Services Librarian Assistant Professor t-moritz@onu.edu 419-772-2473 Reference Librarians on duty 8a-4:30p Mon-Fri 6p-9p Mon-Thur 10a-3:30p Sundays