Beginning research for assignments

1. Beginning research for assignments LIBRARY

2. Sessionoutline • Terminology • Analysing your question • Different information sources • When to use them • Where to find them • What they look like in a reading list • The information cycle • Starting research • Where to get more help

3. Terminology: • Journals OR Serials • regular publications which contain scholarly articles for academic readers • Journals are published in yearly volumes • Volumes are comprised of monthly or quarterly issues • Each issue contains multiple articles • Peer-reviewed OR refereed journals • All articlesare reviewed by experts in the field before publication • Databases • Searchable collections of information or data • Most of our academic journals areaccessible via databases • Some databases contain full text (complete articles) • Other databases provide just the reference and abstract (summary)

4. Terminology cont’d: • Reference • A formal, detailed description of a book, journal article etc • Example: • Behrens, L. (2010). A sequence for academic writing. New York, N.Y.: Pearson. • In-text reference OR Citation • An abbreviated reference within the body of an assignment to guide the reader to the detailed reference in the Reference List or Bibliography • Referencing style • Rules for the format, punctuation & elements of references • Examples: Harvard, APA

5. Analysing your question KEY CONCEPTS ARE THE FOCUS OF YOUR RESEARCH Before you can start your research, you need to know what you’re looking for! • Identify direction words & limiting words: • direction words tell you what sort of assignment to write • e.g. discuss, analyse, evaluate • limiting words define the boundaries of your research • e.g. 2 years, three examples, in Australia • specific aspects of a topic • Identify the key concepts of the question

6. Samplequestion: Discuss the impact of snow sports on alpine environments, providing case studies of at least three resort areas, each in different countries. Evaluate infrastructure, environmental and economic factors. Circle the direction words Underline the limiting words Highlight the key concepts More info on Academic Skills Centre pagehttp://www.canberra.edu.au/studyskills/writing/answering

7. Start with background reading: • What defines an ‘alpine environment’ • Find three (or more) resort areas • What is ‘infrastructure’ • For other questions this might involve checking definitions, breaking broad termsinto separate aspects etc • List different forms of your key concepts: • Synonyms and related terms e.g. snowsports, winter sports, alpine sports etc. • THESE WILL BE YOUR SEARCH TERMS

8. The key to academic research: DIFFERENT TYPES OF INFORMATION ARE FOUND IN DIFFERENT SOURCES

9. Useful for: • broad understanding of the topic • Often just one chapter or section of a book will apply • Contain: • broad, background information • history, development of a topic • classic examples, theories & theorists • Example of a book reference: • May, C. A., & May, G. S. (2006). Effective writing: a handbook for accountants (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Prentice Hall. • Example of an e-book reference: • Schiraldi, G. R. (2001). The post-traumatic stress disorder sourcebook: A guide to healing, recovery, and growth [Adobe Digital Editions version]. doi:10.1036/0071393722 • Example of a chapter reference: • Nicholson, N. R. (2013). Social isolation. In I. M. Lubkin & P. D. Larsen (Eds.), Chronic illness: impact and intervention. Burlington, Mass.: Jones & Bartlett Learning. BOOKS & E-BOOKS • How to find books: • Reading list in your Unit Outline • Bibliography of text book and other readings • Library catalogue or UCanFind

10. Useful for: • Lending authority to your writing • Strengthening your argument • Supporting your view • Up to date information – journals are published frequently • Contain: • Concise, focused information • Detailed research • Some conference papers • Case studies Examples of journal references: Munslow, A. (2005). Getting on with history. Rethinking History, 9(4), 497-501. Fernsten, L. A., & Reda, M. (2011). Helping students meet the challenges of academic writing. Teaching in Higher Education, 16(2), 171-182. doi:10.1080/13562517.2010.507306 JOURNAL & E-JOURNAL ARTICLES • How to find journal articles: • Library databases index over 40,000 journals • UseUCanFind to search broadly across all databases • Select Subject Guides on the Library page to search specific databases

11. Contain: • Immediate, breaking news • Current affairs • Editorial comment • Useful for: • Local information • Advertising trends • Economic information • Politics • Social issues Examples of news source references: Waterford, J. (2007, May 30). Bill of Rights gets it wrong. The Canberra Times, p. 11. Funding changes unlikely to affect North Coast TAFE (2012, October 25). ABC News. Retrieved from http://www.abc.net.au/news NEWS SOURCES • How to find news & current affairs: • Print copies of major daily newspapers in Library • Limit results to Newspaper Articles in UcanFind • Specialised databases listed on the SubjectGuides page

12. Contain: • Some scholarly, professional information • Many sites for children or general public – not appropriate for academic use • Always important to evaluate information carefully • Useful for: • Quick, easy searching • Current, popular information • Images, maps, logos etc • Company information • Example of web site reference: • MacIsaac, D. (1995). An introduction to action research. Retrieved from http://physicsed.buffalostate.edu/danowner/actionrsch.html WEB RESOURCES • How to find scholarly web sites: • Library Subject Guides list selected sites for each area of study • Use links from professional organisations and Government departments

13. The Information cycle • There is also a time factor in information sources • Let’s look at the information cycle, using the2007-2009 Global Financial Crisis as an example

14. The information cycle WITHIN HOURS Eye witness accounts, public reaction Websites, radio, TV, social media HOURS TO DAYS Comment, official statements Newspapers, other news sources WEEKS TO MONTHS Causes, impacts & more details Magazines MONTHS TO YEARS Research on particular aspects Scholarly journals YEARS AFTER Detailed research & long term impacts Books

15. Exercise: • Look at the references and questions: • References: What type of sourceis this a reference to? • Questions: What type of sourcewould you use to find information on this topic? • Handy hints: • Remember the distinctive features for each type of reference • Ask for help if you need it – we want you to help youget them all right!

16. Exercise answers: Book chapter Journal article Journal article Newspaper article Book Website

17. Journals Newspapers BHP Website Journals Books Journals

18. Start research on the Library page Use UCanFind to search broadly across journal databases and catalogue Search UC Librarycatalogue for known titles, specific items Search Subject Guides for specialised databases & other resources on more complex topics Your lecturer may have some readings listed on E-Reserve,use the …more link to go to E-Reserve Register online for training sessions, or view online tutorials Use UC Referencing Guide for correct referencing

19. For more help… Help is always available • LIBRARY • Ask a Librarian online: • Ask a question by email • Online chat 10.30-3.30 Monday-Friday • In person: • Research Assistance Desk • Level B of the Library • Phone: • 62015082 • ACADEMIC SKILLS CENTRE • In person • ASC Rovers in the Library or Student Commons • Have your writing reviewed at a drop in session or an individual appointment • Phone:62012205 for an appointment • SMARTHINKING ONLINE TUTORIALS • Access via Moodle: • Have your writing reviewed within 24 hours • Chat online with a live tutor • Schedule to chat with a specialised tutor • Send a tutor an academic question