This document provides guidance on conducting research for a Women's Gender and Sexuality Studies course. It outlines a 5-step research process: 1) develop a search strategy including keywords and databases, 2) select appropriate databases, 3) search databases using different keywords and subject headings, 4) evaluate resources, and 5) apply information by writing and citing sources. Key databases recommended include JSTOR, Project MUSE, and Academic Search Complete. Students are encouraged to develop research questions, use Boolean operators and truncation, evaluate sources, and revise their search strategy. Assistance is available from the WGSS librarian.

1. Susan C. Luévano, WGSS Librarian
WGSS 401
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2. Step 1: Develop search strategy
o Thesis statement
o Pre-research
o Research questions
o Keywords
o Boolean operators (and , or)
o Truncation (*)
Step 2: Select databases
o Secondary peer-reviewed sources
o Coast

3. Step 3: Search the database
o Try different keywords, try different
searches
o Move to database subject headings
o Select the best citations
o Use internal citation generators when
sending information
Step 4: Evaluate resources
o Read and assess content

4. Setp 5: Apply and use information
o Synthesize information
o Write up the finding and conclusion
o Create your bibliography using correct
citation style
 Circular process – Repeat and Revise
 Use the WGSS Research Guide!!
o http://csulb.libguides.com/wgss

5. http://csulb.libguides.com/wgss

6.  Develop a thesis statement
The leadership roles of Mexican Mayan
women in the Zapatista movement in
the struggle to challenge NAFTA during
the 1990s.

7.  Define the question
o Ask why????
 Who are the Zapatistas?
 What were the theoretical and concrete
conditions that promoted female
leadership?
 Who were the key female leaders?
 What are the "Revolutionary Law of Women"?
 How has female leadership changed in the
1990s, if at all?

8.  Break down your thesis statement by concept
The feminist roles of Zapatista women
during the 1990s.

10.  Boolean Operators
Zapatista
o AND Women
o OR
1990s Feminist
Mayan
Mayan indigenous OR
Indigenous

11.  Truncation
o More results
o Plurals
 Asterisk *
o Feminis*
o Feminist
o Feminism
o Feminisms

12. Peer Reviewed Journals
o Based on research & written for other scholars
o Content & research model are reviewed by
other scholars
o In-depth
o Extensive bibliography

13.  http://www.csulb.edu/library/

15.  100 international journals,
 Coverage: 1978 to present.

16. • World's leading journals in political science
• Coverage: 1975 to present
• Need the full-text?

22.  Academic Search Complete
 Sociological Abstracts
 SocIndex
 EconLit

23.  ArticleReach
o Articles ONLY
o 24 hours
 Link+
o Books & some media ONLY
o 3 days
 ILLIAD
o Anything
o 3-10 days
 Other CSU Libraries

24. Susan Luévano, CSULB, University
Library

25. Click on the Links in Beachboard
Susan Luévano, CSULB, University
Library

26. Library home page www.csulb.edu/library
Susan Luévano, CSULB, University
Library

27. Walk-in help for research & writing
o http://www.csulb.edu/library/instruction/workshops.html
Susan Luévano, CSULB, University
Library

28.  Ask at the Reference Desk, 1st West
 Consultations
o Susan Luévano
o Office hours:
o U Library, room 416, 4th floor
o Wednesday, 2:30 pm -4:30 pm
o sluevano@csulb.edu
Susan Luévano, CSULB, University
Library