The skills of searching academic resources updated 2016

1. Chu Quang Binh, M.A
Hanoi University
The skills of searching through
academic resources

2. Primary and secondary research
 Secondary research /desk research /
library-based research involves the
summary, collation and/or synthesis of
existing research
 Primary research/ field research
/empirical research involves the collection
of data that does not already exist, which is
research to collect original data

3. Primary research
 Types of primary research: action research,
experimental research, case study,…
 Types of research methods: interviews,
surveys, observations,
 Basic structure (Literature review/ theoretical
framework, Methodology, Research ethics,
Results, Discussion,..)
 Language patterns used in each stages of
the research

4. Types of literature sources
 Primary sources
 Secondary sources
 Reference sources
 Internet-Only Sources


5. Primary sources
 Original Books & Textbooks (factual, fictional)
 Original Newspapers articles
 Academic and Trade Journals
 Government Reports and Legal Documents
 Press Releases and Advertising
 Flyers, Pamphlets, Leaflets
 Dissertations (Results and Discussion Sections)
 Survey reports
 Product and patent descriptions

6. Secondary sources
 Review articles in research journals
 Dissertations (Literature Review Section)
 Textbooks
 Newspaper reviews

7. Reference sources
 Encyclopedias
 Catalogues
 Handbooks and guides
 Directories
 Reference lists

8. Internet-Only Sources
 Websites
 Weblogs / Blogs
 Message boards, discussion lists, and chat
rooms
 Multimedia

9. Evaluating sources of information
 Evaluating Bibliographic Citations (Đánh giá
thông tin thư mục)
 A bibliographic citation provides relevant information
about the author and publication as well as short
summary of the text.
 Consider the author, the title of the work, the
summary, where it is, and the timeliness of the entry.
 Look at the keywords to see what other categories
the work falls into. Evaluate this information to see if
it is relevant and valid for your research

10. Evaluating sources of information
 For online sources:
 Search academic journals, articles = full articles in
PDF or WORD format with a clear bibliographic
citation
 The US Environmental Protection Agency - Cooperative
Extension Partnerships – No 1. Supporting community-based
Environmental Education. Retrieved 03/10/ 2010 from
http://www.uwex.edu/erc/pdf/EPACoopExt.pdf
 If available, check for the number of citations.

11. Evaluating sources of information
 Evaluation During Reading
“Read critically: Trust no one”

12. Evaluating sources of information
 Read the preface
 Check for a list of references or other
citations
 Determine the intended audience
 Try to determine if the content of the source
is fact, opinion, or propaganda.
 Is the language objective or emotional?

13. Evaluating sources of information
 Evaluation During Reading
 Are there broad generalizations that overstate or
oversimplify the matter?
 Does the author use a good mix of primary and
secondary sources for information?
 If the source is opinion, does the author offer sound
reasons for adopting that stance? (Consider again
those questions about the author. Is this person
reputable?)
 Check for accuracy.

14. Evaluating sources of information
 Evaluation During Reading
 How timely is the source?
 Do some cross-checking.
 How credible is the author?
 Are there vague or sweeping generalizations
that aren't backed up with evidence?
 Are arguments very one-sided with no
acknowledgement of other viewpoints?

22. Practical Tips
 Record bibliographical data systematically
and scientifically
 Take necessary notes
 “Margin talks”
 And yours?

23. Useful websites / academic
databases
 http://scholar.google.com
 http://academic.research.microsoft.com
 http://www.emeraldinsight.com/index.htm
 http://www.eric.ed.gov/

24. Assignment
 Choose a topic of your interest
 Search 5 sources of information
 Evaluate the sources (special focus on
bibliographic citations)
 Complete the evaluation form and bring it to
class on September 15th, 2016
 Email: binhcq@hanu.edu.vn