This document provides guidance on developing a research strategy for an annotated bibliography. It recommends starting with background reading on a broad topic before narrowing the focus. Students are advised to use library databases specific to their subject to find relevant sources. The document outlines steps for developing search terms, using Boolean logic, and evaluating sources from the open web versus academic databases. It also introduces bibliographic management tools like RefWorks to organize citations and avoid plagiarism. Interlibrary loan is presented as an option when needed sources are not available otherwise.

1. Annotated Bibliography
Research Strategies
ENGL 1221
Traci Welch Moritz
Public Services Librarian/Assistant Professor
Heterick Memorial Library

2. What today is all about
Aid in constructing research
strategy for finding resources for
annotated bibliography
Find resources in library catalog
and databases available

3. How am I going to remember all
this stuff she is talking about?

4. Research Guide

5. Annotated Bibliography
 Allows you to see what is out there
 Helps you narrow your topic and
discard any irrelevant materials
 Aids in developing the thesis
 Makes you a better scholar

6. Research Strategy
•Start big doing
background reading
•Narrow your topic
for a more focused
product Ask a question
•Research narrowed
topic using subject
specific databases
•Keep track of
bibliographic
citations to avoid
trouble down the
road.

7. What do I do first?
 Take a look at your topic and identify key
search terms, Ask a question.
 Most databases now use an implied Boolean
logic search scheme so a keyword search
will get you started.
 Boolean logic is the use of AND, NOT, OR
to narrow or expand your search
 See Research Guide for Writing Seminar
WHO

8. Internet Tools
 Aren’t evil
 Can prove valuable
 Can’t be used as a source
 Turn to the databases for source
materials
From the University of Wisconsin Library, worksheet for evaluating web sites

9. Internet Tools
Google Scholar
Note: See
“Google ONU buys
Scholar” Full-text
Google asks
database
tab at to link to
Research content
Guide for OhioLINK
Permits
off campus Google to Run Google
information link to full-text Scholar
Search
ONU user sees
licensed full-text
articles

10. What do I do next

11. POLAR

12. Find a Book -- POLAR
Keyword search
for

13.  Materials owned by all Ohio colleges, universities, several public
libraries

14. Definitions
 Definitions
 Oxford Reference or any of the subject
specific Oxford reference books available electronically

15. Databases
A. Academic Search C. Engineering Village
Complete D. Opposing
B. Lexis-Nexis Viewpoints

16. General Database
Scholarly
journals, peer
reviewed articles

17. General Database

18. Subject Specific
Database

19. Subject Specific
Database

20. Subject Specific
Database

21. Bibliographic Citation
Software
• REFWORKS
Tab at Research Guide for
instructions on how to get your free
lifetime account.

22. Managing Information -
RefWorks
 Licensed state-wide, access free to Ohio
students up to 6 months after leaving ONU
 See: http://0-www.refworks.com.polar.onu.edu/
 Write n’ Cite interfaces with MS Word
 Excellent Tutorials
 Help available at Heterick
 See RefWorks tab at the Writing Seminar
research guide for additional information

23. Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
 Use when you need a book or article that
is not available online, not owned by
ONU or available via OhioLINK
 No charge/ limit on requests
 Most requests take 5-7 days to fill
 Use ILL form on library web pages.