The document provides guidance on conducting research for a Women's Gender and Sexuality Studies paper. It outlines a 5-step research process including developing a search strategy with keywords and questions, selecting relevant databases, searching databases, evaluating resources, and applying information. Database recommendations are provided for finding peer-reviewed sources. Boolean operators and truncation techniques for effective database searches are explained. Tips for distinguishing popular and scholarly sources are also included. Contact information is provided for research consultations.

1. Susan C. Luévano, WGSS Librarian
WGSS 101

2. • Step 1: Develop search strategy
•Thesis statement
•Pre-research/Background information
•Research questions
•Identify keywords
•Use boolean operators (and , or)
•Use truncation (*)
• Step 2: Select databases
•Identify peer-reviewed sources
•Books - COAST

3. • Step 3: Search the database
•Try different keywords and searches
•Move from keyword to database subject headings
•Select the best citations
•Use internal citation generators
• Step 4: Evaluate resources
•Read and assess content

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

5. • http://csulb.libguides.com/wgss

6. • Develop a thesis statement
• The Republican Party 2012 electoral
campaign conducted an attack on women’s
reproductive rights.

7. • Define the question
• Ask why????
• What were the theoretical and concrete
conditions that have promoted the anti-women’s
rhetoric?
• Who are the individual Republicans creating
the attacks?
• Have the attacks helped or hindered the
candidates?

8. • Break down your thesis statement by concept
• The Republican Party’s attack on women’s
reproductive rights during the 2012 election
exposed the party’s regressive position on
women’s issues.

10. • Boolean Operators
• AND Republicans
• OR
2012 Reproductive
Rights
Teenager
teenager adolescent OR
Adolescent

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

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

13. • Popular Sources
• General reading level
• Short articles
• No citations
• Photos & advertisements

14. • Http://www.csulb.edu/library
• 1) Test or preliminary search for journal articles, books & more
• 2) Databases by topic

17. • Popular & scholarly including peer reviewed titles
• 100 international journals
• Coverage: 1978 to present

18. • General/Interdisciplinary
• Popular & scholarly
• Limit: Peer review box
• Coverage: 1975 to present
• Need the full-text?

23. • GenderWatch
• Academic Search Complete
• Sociological Abstracts
• SocIndex
• PubMed
• PyschInfo

24. Books, media &
government docs

25. Use floor & call
number to find the
book.

26. • BeachReach
• Anything
• Articles & book chapters (2-5 days)
• Link+
• Books & some media ONLY
• 2-5 days
• Other CSU Libraries

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