Class slides for ENGL 2H winter 2019

1. Finding Argument Sources for
Your Topic
Nicole Branch, Instruction Librarian
ENGL 2A
Image courtesy of Flickr user throgers.

2. Today we will…
• Define searchable keywords for your research
topics
• Identify & search relevant databases for
argument sources on your topic
• Learn advanced search techniques
• Find significant works related to your topic
Background image courtesy of Flickr user Paree.

3. BEAM Sources
•Often factual information, used
to provide contextBackground
• Sources you analyze or use as
evidence (the data you collect)Exhibit
• Critical views and relevant
scholarship related to the topic.Argument
• Information about how to
execute your research methodMethod

4. BEAM Sources
•Often factual information, used
to provide contextBackground
• Sources you analyze or use as
evidence (the data you collect)Exhibit
• Critical views and relevant
scholarship related to the topic.Argument
• Information about how to
execute your research methodMethod

5. Where will you find these sources?
•Look for encyclopedia entries and background information in:
•Reference sources (CREDO, Gale Virtual Reference, Wikipedia)
•Newspapers & magazines
•SCU Website
Background
• Look for data, examples and cultural artifacts in:
• Your own research
• Statistics sources (Statista, raw data)
• Google
Exhibit
• Look for scholarly articles related to your topic in:
• Academic databases
• Google ScholarArgument
• Look for scholarly articles about methods and theories in:
• Academic databases
• Books
• Google
Method

6. Image by Flickr user Lower
Columbia College.
Food security at SCUDefiningKeywords

7. Defining Research Elements
• Food security at SCU
– Food security and academic performance
– Food security and diversity
– Food security and retention
– Food security and social belonging

8. Refining Keywords
https://vimeo.com/85564795

9. Refining Keywords
• Broader terms
• Narrower Terms
• Synonym Terms

10. Exercise 1
Brainstorm Keywords

11. Finding the conversation
Image courtesy of Flickr user spyros papasyropoulos.

12. Databases & Disciplinary Sources

13. Image courtesy of Flickr user Christian Ostrosky
Identify a Database

14. Select a Database

15. Identify Subject Areas
• Define:
 Food security & diversity
• Identify subject areas or disciplines
 Sociology
 Education
 Public Health
 Ethnic Studies

16. Exercise 2
Identify Subject Areas

17. • AND/OR/NOT
• Document types
• Truncation *
• Advanced search options
• Citations & permalinks
• Finding full text
Search Tips

18. • Using the guide, select a database to begin
searching
• Use your brainstormed keywords to get
started
• Practice advanced search options
Exercise 3: Hands-On Search

19. • Using Google Scholar
Search for your topic
Search for a specific article
Find articles which are influential
Exercise 4: Tracing the Conversation

20. Nicole Branch
Instruction Librarian
nbranch@scu.edu
x5436
Questions?