This document summarizes a library instruction session on researching for class assignments. It introduces the librarian Laksamee Putnam and provides her contact information. It reviews finding books and scholarly articles, using keywords and databases. Students are instructed to search for materials on their topic and fill out a worksheet. The next session will discuss readings, plagiarism, and citation styles.

1. TSEM 102
Laksamee Putnam
lputnam@towson.edu
Research & Instruction Librarian
Slides:
http://bit.ly/TSEMamcarthurslides122

2. First…
 Laksamee Putnam
 lputnam@towson.edu
 Cook Library Reference:
 410.704.2462.
 IM/email
 Phone: 410.704.3746.
 Twitter: @CookLibraryofTU
 Albert S. Cook facebook profile!
 Slides: http://bit.ly/TSEMamcarthurslides122

3. Agenda
 Discuss “readings”
 Quick review of last class
 Finding Books
 Finding Articles
 Research time

4. Real research is complicated
 Can you think of any
other examples of a
“magical database”
with all the answers?
 Where do you find
books/articles for your
classes here at Towson
University?
 How many places do
Slackerz web comic. 2007. you look?
http://theslackerz.com/index.php?nav=Comic
&Page=26
Kimbel Library Instructional Videos. Scholarly vs  Why are scholarly
Popular. http://vimeo.com/13186317 articles important for
your assignment?

5. Review
 Keywords
 AND OR NOT
 Check for CRAP
 Currency
 Reliability
 Authority
 Purpose/POV

6. Putting it all together…
 What are some ways elementary teachers can assess
whether a certain technology solution is effective?
teach* assess* technolog*
instruct* evaluate* comput*
method* test* [software name]
learn*
teach* OR instruct* OR method* OR learn*
AND
assess* OR evaluate* OR test*
AND
technolog* OR comput* OR kidspiration

7. Finding Books
 Plenty of relevant
information in print
 Use broad keywords
 Multiple places to search
 Cook OneSearch
 Library Catalog
 USMAI Libraries

8. Finding Books

9. Finding Books

10. Finding Articles
 Scholarly
– Peer
Reviewed
 Usespecific
keywords
 Utilized
advanced
search features
Card Catalogue. [Photographer]. Retrieved from
Encyclopædia Britannica Image Quest.
http://quest.eb.com/images/115_2838287

11. Finding Articles

12. Finding Articles
 Content providers you should use:
 Academic Search Premier
 Education Research Complete
 ERIC
 SocINDEX
 ScienceDirect
 Social Sciences Abstracts
 PsycINFO

13. Finding Articles
 Features to remember
 Yellow Findit button
 Citation creations
 Email yourself
 Also as you are searching
 Take a look at the article citations
 Make note of additional keywords

14. Research time!
 Go find books and articles on your topic
 Fill in this worksheet:
 http://bit.ly/TSEMamcarthursurvey12
 Email yourself anything you want to
remember
 Next library session:
 Two readings and discussion questions
 Discussion on plagiarism and citation style

15. Questions?
 Feel free to contact me:
 Laksamee Putnam
 lputnam@towson.edu
 410.704.3746.
 Twitter: @CookLibraryofTU
 Or any reference librarian:
 Visit Cook Library Reference Desk
 410.704.2462.
 IM – tucookchat