This document provides an overview of conducting research at Beaman Library. It discusses the research process and finding relevant information through the library catalog, reference sources, periodicals, indexes, databases, and websites. It also offers tips for evaluating information sources and using interlibrary loan services. The key steps in research are described as searching the catalog to identify materials, assessing different types of sources, and evaluating information for credibility and relevance.

1. Political Science: An Adventure in Research Beaman Library Fall 2007

2. Research is a process… It is ORGANIZED It is METHODICAL It is COMPREHENSIVE

3. The Researcher’s 2 questions… WHAT do I want to know? WHERE do I find that information?

4. Catacomb… the online catalog All searching begins with the online catalog.

5. Information Resources in Beaman Library Reference books Periodicals Indexes Databases/Websites

6. Reference Sources: Location Main Level – West Wing

7. Reference Sources: Types Encyclopedias General Subject Dictionaries Handbooks Directories Indexes Statistical Sources

8. Periodicals - Location Current (2007) magazines and journals are arranged alphabetically on open shelves for easy browsing.

9. Periodicals - Location Bound periodicals are arranged alphabetically and chronologically.

10. Periodicals - Location Some periodicals are kept on microfilm or microfiche .

11. Periodical Indexes (print)- Location Periodical indexes are located on the main floor, east wing of Beaman Library.

12. Periodical Indexes Print Biography Index Business Periodicals Index General Science Index PAIS International Index Social Sciences Index

13. Periodical Indexes Online Tennessee Electronic Library (TEL) Powersearch Academic OneFile Expanded Academic ASAP InfoTrac OneFile National Newspaper Index America: History & Life and Historical Abstracts Biography Resource Center Lexis-Nexis

14. World Wide Web Resources Academic .edu Government .gov Specialized/commercial .com/.org/.net

15. Online Indexes/Databases: Government U. S. Government Library of Congress http://marvel.loc.gov Congressional Directory http:// www.gpoaccess.gov/cdirectory/index.html

16. Online Indexes/Databases Education http://infomine.ucr.edu … a virtual library of internet resources relevant to faculty, students, and research staff at the university level. Electronic journals electronic books Bulletin boards databases articles

17. Online Indexes/Databases Commercial Search specifically for scholarly literature: theses peer reviewed papers books abstracts technical reports preprints http:// scholar.google.com /

18. Evaluating Information from monographs (books) from periodicals (journals) from databases/websites

19. Evaluating books Is it a recognized author? Does it have timely content? Does it contain documentation?

20. What is a Scholarly Journal? For scholars or researchers in a specialized field (e.g. medicine, psychology) Cites research Peer review (refereed) Includes notes and/or bibliography Usually quarterly or monthly Mostly print with graphs and/or tables Few or no ads

21. Web Site Evaluation—the WWW’s Who says it? Author or sponsor Credentials of responsible party

22. Web Site Evaluation—the WWW’s What does it claim, assert, etc.? Purpose of web site Biased, objective, fair Factual…in depth Correct grammar, spelling, etc.

23. Web Site Evaluation—the WWW’s When was it said? Publication date Revisions Links up-to-date

24. Interlibrary Loan Question: What do I do if a resource I need is not available in the Beaman Library? Answer: Use the Interlibrary loan service provided by Beaman Library

25. Interlibrary Loan Facts about Interlibrary Loan: Interlibrary Loan is a service provided by Beaman Library to obtain materials NOT owned by Beaman Library. The conditions of this service are set by the National Interlibrary Loan Code . The loan period is determined by the lending library. Athena is an area consortium of local libraries who loan and borrow from one another without charge. Applications are available at the Reference desk or online in Catacomb . Access form online: http:// library.lipscomb.edu

26. SAIL S earch – indexes/databases (evaluate) A nalyze – compare, contrast; separate fact from opinion I nventory – Do I have enough, too much, too little? L earn – new information and new information skills

27. Your mission... Come up with a suitable topic (not too broad, not too narrow) Be able to find resources in all formats (books, articles, websites, etc.) Incorporate & cite these sources correctly (be careful not to plagiarize!) Remember: librarians are here to help you with your mission!