Powerpoint presentation for RHET 1302 class covering basic library concepts of the catalog, databases, writing resources, and carefully evaluating information sources.

1. Searching & Evaluating Resources Rhetoric 1302Spring 2010 Matt Makowka, Reference Librarian

2. Think on this … “The Internet is like one of those garbage dumps outside of Bombay. There are people, most unfortunate, crawling all over it, and maybe they find a bit of aluminum, or perhaps something they can sell. But mainly it’s garbage.” ~ Joseph Weizenbaum ~ “Between Tech Fans and Naysayers, Scholarly Skeptics,” 1999

3. What are we doing today? The Library Catalog – more than just for books Databases What are they? Why would I need them? (And why should I care?) Periodicals: Popular Magazines vs. Academic Journals Getting to the databases and selecting them Searching – tips & tricks Citing Sources & Paper Help Evaluating Information Need more help? Where to go …

4. www.utdallas.edu/library/

5. Library Catalog – Not Just For Books Use the catalog to find books on a topic, locate a journal (best when you already know the name of the article), search DVDs, look up a database, and more. If you have an article citation, start with the catalog. You will first search by the journal title, then seek the article from there. Article titles won’t work in the catalog. All formats are listed: paper, electronic and microform. The catalog doesn’t discriminate. While the catalog is good for books, remember that you can use it to find many other things for your research!

6. Databases – What Are They? Well organized search engines (“indexes”) for journal articles, books, newspaper articles, dissertations (material originally appearing in print) and more. Cover a variety of topics; some are subject specific, e.g., ERIC for education; others are general, e.g., Academic Search Complete. Some are full-text. Many will link to full text. Provide quality research whose authenticity and authority leave little to doubt. When you are looking for articles on a topic start here.

7. Databases - Why Use Them? Need to research articles from journals, esp. scholarly. Greater concern for authoritative sources. More powerful “advanced” searching, filters, and refining tools. Focused searching on a specific subject (the “no junk”/”no duplicates” factor). Need newspaper, book or journal archives/backfiles.

8. Popular magazines & Scholarly Journals What’s the difference? What are peer-reviewed journals anyway?

9. Popular vs. Scholarly Periodicals Popular Magazines Intended for a general audience Articles written by journalists who may or may not have special training Articles do not have footnotes Magazines have advertising, photographs, and glossy pages (unsubstantial “fluff”) For Profit Not Peer-reviewed Scholarly Journals Intended for an audience knowledgeable in the field Articles are written by scholars, whose names are listed along with credentials Articles are footnoted and list sources used No advertising, few photographs, and usually printed on plain paper Usually not for profit Peer-reviewed

10. How do I find peer-reviewed articles and journals? Use a scholarly database rather than a general database (MEDLINE vs. Newspaper Abstracts). When available, limit to scholarly/peer-reviewed journals when you search your database. Check in Ulrichsweb (database) to see if the journal in question is peer-reviewed.

13. Selecting Your Database(s) Choose by subjecthttp://www.utdallas.edu/library/resources/databases/dbases.htm Or from the Alphabetical List (descriptions given for databases in both subject and alphabetical lists). Ask a Reference Librarian – we know what’s best and can save you time! Available from home using your UTD-ID number and last name.

15. Developing a Search Strategy Select a topic. Identify keywords. Identify synonyms. Group concepts and add connectors (Boolean). Use truncation and/or wildcard keys if available.

16. Citing your sources MLA, APA, Chicago Manual of Style, and other citation manuals available at the Reference Desk. Copies may be available in the Main Stacks or online through the library catalog. (on Library Homepage) can help you manage citations and create your Works Cited page. Need help citing? The Writing Center (CN 1.302) can help. Links for citing documents in various styles (APA, MLA, etc.) : http://www.utdallas.edu/library/resources/hot.htm#citations

17. Evaluating Sources (ABC’s) –Exercising Information Skepticism Authority Audience Bias Currency Scope

18. Authority Does the author’s name appear on the Web page? What are his/her credentials? Does the author provide contact information?

19. Audience What age group/education level/political affiliation/etc. is the audience? Is this for a person with in-depth knowledge or a layperson?

20. Bias and Currency What is the purpose of the source? Is the source objective? Could the writer or the organization’s affiliation put a different spin on the information presented? When was the work published? How old are the sources or items in the bibliography? If a Web page, do the links work? When was it last updated?

21. Scope What does/doesn’t the work cover? Is it an in-depth study (many pages) or superficial (one page)? Are sources and statistics cited? If a Web site, does it offer unique info not found in any other source?

22. Other Library Services Telephone Reference 972-883-2643 Monday–Thursday 9:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Friday 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Saturday 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Sunday 1:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. E-mail Reference“Ask A Librarian” http://www.utdallas.edu/library/howto/forms/erfform.html Questions usually answered within same business day. Appointment with a Reference Librarian Contact Loreen Phillips loreen.phillips@utdallas.edu Or Stop by the Reference Desk and ask Ask a UT System Librarian – Live Chat http://www.lib.utsystem.edu/students/ask.htmlMon.-Thurs. noon-midnight; Fri. noon-4:00 p.m.; Sun. 6 p.m.-midnight

23. Other Library Services SMS / Text Messaging TXTREF@utdallas.edu Text a librarian from your wireless device (service provider charges may apply). Questions will be answered within minutes. Find us on FACEBOOK Under “UT Dallas McDermott Library”

24. The University of Texas at Dallas LibrariesAn Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action University P. O. Box 830643 Richardson, TX 75083-0643 972-883-2955