The Criss Library at UNO

1. The Criss Libraryat UNO An Introduction to Information Literacy and the Basics of Library Research

2. Table of Contents • Part IIntroduction to Library Researchpage 7 • Part IIThe Criss Library Homepagepage 38 • Part IIIElectronic Indexes and Databasespage 67 • Part IV The World Wide Webpage 136

3. Table of Contents • Part I • Introduction to Library Research at UNO • Information Literacypage 7 • Define a Topicpage 11 • Sources/Types of Informationpage 14 • Characteristics of Information Sourcespage 20 • Evaluation Criteriapage 32 Back to Table of Contents

4. Table of Contents • Part II • The Criss Library Homepage • Homepage Overview page 38 • Access Toolspage 48 • Criss Library Catalogpage 49 • Search the University Library Catalogpage 52 Back to Table of Contents

5. Table of Contents • Part III • Electronic Indexes and Databases • Overview of Electronic Indexes and Databases and Their Access Pointspage 67 • Academic Search Premierpage 79 • Lexis Nexis Academicpage 99 • Locate Journals Servicepage 125 • A Brief Reviewpage 134 Back to Table of Contents

6. Table of Contents • Part IV • The World Wide Web • The Pros and Conspage 136 • Evaluation Criteriapage 138 • Googlepage 140 • Advanced Searching and Evaluating the Resultspage 142 Back to Table of Contents

7. Introduction to Library Research and Information Literacy • This presentation will introduce you to the principles of information literacy and serve as a guide to the research process at the Criss Library at UNO. • This presentation will also provide an overview of the Criss Library Catalog, electronic indexes and databases, and the World Wide Web. Back to table of contents

8. What Is Information Literacy? • The American Library Association defines information literacy as the set of skills needed to: • Recognize the need for information • Access appropriate resources • Evaluate information/sources • Use information effectively • Understand ethical/legal restrictions

9. Why Is Information Literacy Important? • To succeed in your classes at UNO • To navigate the complex world of information • To make the most effective and efficient use of your time in the library • To improve and expand your research skills

10. Who Needs To Be Information Literate? • We all do! • Undergraduates • Graduates • Community members • Faculty

11. Define a Topic • Where do you begin? • Your first step in beginning your research is to define your topic by asking yourself what it is that you want to write your paper about. • Has there been a current news or radio broadcast that has caught your attention? • Have you, your friends or family experienced something that you would like to write about? Back to table of contents

12. Define a Topic • You’ve brainstormed and determined a subject that you’d like to write about. • Now it is time to create an arguable thesis. • An example from a first year English class: “Displays of the Ten Commandments in public buildings should be prohibited because they violate the separation of church and state.”

13. Define a Topic • What are the key terms in this arguable thesis, and what is the order of importance? • “Displays of the Ten Commandments in public buildings should be prohibited because they violate the separation of church and state.” • “Ten Commandments” would be the main idea • “Public buildings” would be second • “Church and state” would be third • “Violation” would be fourth Back to Table of Contents

14. Sources and Types of Information • Now that you understand how to define a topic, we will examine which sources of information are best for finding the following types of information: • Current • Background • Scholarly • Opinion-based • Statistical Back to Table of Contents

15. Which Sources are Best for Which Type of Information? • Current refers to only the most recent developments on the topic, published within the last year or so. • For current information, the best sources are: • Journals • Magazines • Newspapers

16. Which Sources are Best for Which Type of Information? • Background refers to general information, often brief, and with a historical perspective. • For background information, the best sources are: • Books

17. Which Sources are Best for Which Type of Information? • Scholarly refers to the in-depth study of a subject or topic, peer-reviewed and scholarly. • For scholarly information, the best sources are: • Books • Journals

18. Which Sources are Best for Which Type of Information? • Opinion-based refers to a judgment by a person who may or may not be an expert on the topic; the bias of the author is used to sway the opinion of the reader. • For opinion-based information, the best sources are: • Magazines • Newspapers • The Web

19. Which Sources are Best for Which Type of Information? • Statistical refers to numerical data that may be raw or analyzed (interpreted numbers). • For statistical information, the best sources are: • Sources specializing in statistics (i.e. the U. S. Census) • Research studies • Government documents

20. Characteristics of Information Sources • We will now examine the various information sources and their characteristics. • Books • Journals • Magazines • Newspapers • Government Documents • Statistics • World Wide Web Back to Table of Contents

21. Characteristics of Books • Books can provide an in-depth treatment of a topic or an aspect of a topic. • Books can also provide a broad overview or historical perspective on a topic. • Books may not be as timely as the information found in magazines, journals or other periodicals.

22. Characteristics of Periodicals • The word “periodical” refers to items that are published “periodically.” Journals, magazines, and newspapers are all examples of periodicals. • Let’s look at each type of periodical separately. • Journals • Magazines • Newspapers

23. Characteristics of Periodicals • Journals • Journals are published more frequently, and the information is more current than that found in books. • Journals are sometimes referred to as scholarly, peer-reviewed, or refereed journals; they are written to present results of research or thorough study of a topic. • Journals usually contain fewer commercial advertisements than popular magazines. • Articles are often lengthy (7-10 pages or more) and are usually written by the person who conducted the research.

24. Characteristics of Periodicals • Journals (continued) • Articles published have been evaluated by an editorial board of experts before they appear in print. • Sources of information are always indicated in some manner, whether it be footnotes, endnotes, works cited page, or a bibliography. • Articles may contain charts, tables and/or graphs. • Journals may be published monthly or quarterly.

25. Characteristics of Magazines • Magazines • Also known as popular magazines as they are designed to appeal to a broad audience. • Usually printed on glossy paper and may contain many advertisements. • May include opinion and/or current events.

26. Characteristics of Magazines • Magazines (continued) • Articles usually less than 5 pages in length. • Usually do not include bibliographies. • Published very frequently, often weekly.

27. Characteristics of Newspapers • Newspapers • Provide the most current information of the three types of periodicals. • Published daily or weekly. • Not considered as scholarly as a journal article

28. Characteristics of Newspapers • Newspapers (continued) • Intended to communicate the news rather than provide in-depth research. • Considered a “primary source” as events are recorded /reported at the time they occur. • Present information in a short, concise manner.

29. Characteristics of Government Documents • Government Documents • Are items published under the authority of a governmental agency. • Can be considered primary source material. • Can be produced at local, state, and federal government levels – municipal (city), county, state legislature, or federal agencies such as the U. S. Congress or Department of Education.

30. Characteristics of Statistical Information • Statistical Information • Contains data that may be presented in the form of tables or charts and may not include narrative passages. • Are often compilations of data from a variety of separate resources. • Currency of the data varies depending upon the source of the data. End of Part I Back to Table of Contents

31. Characteristics of the Web • World Wide Web • Offers a variety of current, historical, research, secondary, and primary information. • Currency of the information depends upon the author of the page or site–-some are updated daily, while others are not kept up-to-date. • Accuracy/Authority always in question.

32. Evaluation Criteria • Consider these points when evaluating books, periodicals, articles, web pages, newspapers, etc. • Accuracy • Authority • Objectivity • Currency or Timeliness • Coverage or Scope • http://www.virtualchase.com/quality/criterial_print.html Back to Table of Contents

33. Criteria for Evaluating Information • “Accuracy describes information that is factually irrefutable and complete.” • “Consider the editing and publishing policy of the source: Is it peer-reviewed?” • You should be able to verify factually correct information. • “Are there two or more reliable sources that provide the same information?” • http://www.virtualchase.com/quality/criterial_print.html

34. Criteria for Evaluating Information • “Authority refers to the expertise or recognized official status of a source.” • “Consider the reputation of the author and the publisher.” • “When working with legal or government information, consider whether the source is the official provider of the information.” • “Authors recognized as experts amongst their peers are usually cited and reviewed in the literature” and should be verifiable. • http://www.virtualchase.com/quality/criterial_print.html

35. Criteria for Evaluating Information • “Objectivity is the bias or opinion expressed when a writer interprets or analyzes facts.” • Is the author using persuasive language? • Is the author presenting other viewpoints, providing the reader with a balanced point of view? • Is the reason for presenting the information clear? • Is something being advertised? • Is the author wanting to influence change? • http://www.virtualchase.com/quality/criterial_print.html

36. Criteria for Evaluating Information • “Currency or timeliness refers to information that is current at the time of publication.” • “Consider publication, creation, and revision dates”--are they apparent in the information? • “Beware of Web site scripting that automatically reflects the current day’s date on a page.” • http://www.virtualchase.com/quality/criterial_print.html

37. Criteria for Evaluating Information • Coverage or scope “refers to the extent to which a source explores a topic.” • “Does the information cover the period of time of interest to you?” • What is included? • “What is excluded?” • http://www.virtualchase.com/quality/criterial_print.html

38. The Criss Library Homepage The Library homepage URL ishttp://library.unomaha.edu/ You will find links to: • Research Tools • Services • Collections • About the Library • Help • Ask a Librarian Start of Part II Back to Table of Contents

39. The Library Homepage: Layout and Services The library homepage includes function buttons for Research Tools, Services, About the Library, Help, Ask a Librarian, and the Library Catalog.

40. Link to Research Tools Click the Research Tools function button to search the Library Catalog, find articles in databases, use the Locate Journalsservice, use the Research Wizard, search area library catalogs, and access SCOLA, etc.

41. Link to Services —Organized by Patron Type Click here for information about Services. The information is organized by patron type. Select your patron type to find information about a variety of Criss Library services.

42. Link to Collections Click here to learn more about the various Criss Library Collections, such as the Afghanistan Collection, University Archives, etc.

43. About the Library About the Library will provide “nuts and bolts” information including library hours, maps, parking, contacts and library directory, etc.

44. Help Link The Help page will provide an FAQ link for more information about library services and resources, as well as directions, maps and parking information.

45. Ask a LibrarianReference Service 24/7 You can ask reference questions any hour of the day or night. This page will provide information on how to call us, ask by email, or ask via Instant Messaging (IM) via Meebo.

46. The Library Catalog Links Click the Library Catalog links to search for items held in the library’s collection. Select the Advanced Catalog Search link for more precise results.

47. Key Access Points for Beginning Research The library homepage includes access points to the Library Catalog, Databases, Locate Journals service, and the Internet. The following slides will help you navigate these links and services.

48. Access Tools • What is an access tool? • An access tool is used to locate different types of information. • We will examine four access tools: • Criss Library Catalog (for books, journals, media, etc.) • Indexes or Databases (for scholarly, peer-reviewed and other articles) • Locate Journals service (to find full-text access to articles in print or electronic sources) • Search Engines (ex. Google for web sites) Back to Table of Contents

49. The Criss Library Catalog • Let’s start our investigation of access tools with a look at the Criss Library Catalog. • The Criss Library Catalog is the tool that will help you find the items held in our collection: • Books • Periodicals • Media (music CD’s, DVD’s, videos) • Reference materials • Government Documents Back to Table of Contents

50. The Criss Library Catalog • The Library Catalog will tell you: • What materials we hold in our collection • Where the item is located in the library • What the status of the item is – available, checked out, reserve, library use only, etc. • What periodicals are on the shelves (and sometimes, links to electronic databases that index that periodical)