2. LOCATING SOURCES Method depends on type of source seeking (book, article website, etc) Today we are going to primarily focus on finding magazine, newspaper, and scholarly journal articles But first some web searching tips
3. WEB SEARCHING TIPS By using the advanced search feature in Google, can limit to a specific domain (.edu, .gov, etc) There are also specialized search engines for different domains http://searchedu.com/ http://www.usa.gov/
4. ARTICLE SEARCHING Not effective to use Google. Why? Library databases Available thru the library webpage Only contain articles (i.e. no websites, etc) Full text with no charge
5. SUGGESTED DATABASES Academic Search Premier Academic One File CQ Researcher Opposing Viewpoints Possibly a subject specific database related to your topic ALL AVAILABLE THRU THE LIBRARY HOMEPAGE
7. STEP 1: IDENTIFY YOUR GOAL STATEMENT Example: My goal is to convince my audience that climate change is causing extreme weather around the globe and therefore my audience needs to write their congressional representatives and senators, urging them to do more about this issue.
8. What is a keyword search? A type of search that looks for matching documents that contain the words specified by the user. By doing this you hope to get back results about your topic The database cannot think for you/anticipate what you want Example: you want articles about heart attacks. You type in heart attacks. You won’t get articles that you use the term cardiac arrest instead.
9. STEP 2: IDENTIFY YOUR KEY CONCEPTS When using any type of search engine, do not type whole sentences, questions, etc. into search boxes. INSTEAD: DETERMINE WHAT YOUR KEYCONCEPTS ARE
10. DETERMINING KEYCONCEPTS Key concepts Usually verbs or nouns They describe your topic What are the key concepts in this topic?
11. STEP 3: IDENTIFY SYNONYMS FOR YOUR KEY CONCEPTS The english language is very rich. There are many words to describe the same concept. Synonyms for concept 1: Synonyms for concept 2:
18. STEP 5: CHOOSE AN APPROPIATE DATABASE Use an all purpose database such as Academic Search Premier or Academic One File You may also choose a subject specific database. What subject is most appropriate?
