140 likes | 198 Views
Library Research Workshop. EDUC 210 Lec. CC October 23, 2014. Workshop Outline. Term Paper Proposal Narrowing your subject focus from broad topics Locating peer reviewed journal articles using ERIC database Using APA style for references. Getting Help with your Research.
E N D
Library Research Workshop EDUC 210 Lec. CC October 23, 2014
Workshop Outline • Term Paper Proposal • Narrowing your subject focus from broad topics • Locating peer reviewed journal articles using ERIC database • Using APA style for references
Getting Help with your Research • Chris Bober (Education Librarian) • Consultations upon appointment: office: Webster library (LB-504) phone: (514) 848-2424 ext.7697 e-mail: chris.bober@concordia.ca • Use Library’s Ask a Librarian web site
Analyze Term Paper Topics • Start with broad topics: motivation • Narrow the subject focus : • student motivation, student engagement, etc. • Select an age group/ educational level: • teens, adolescents, high school, etc. • Select impact variables: • teacher characteristics, teacher attitudes, teacher behavior, etc.
Analyze Term Paper Topics (cont’d) • Think of synonyms for your topics: • e.g. teens = adolescents • Avoid using non essential words like: • advantages, benefits, optimize, minimize, impact, etc.
Term paper topic: Can ateacher’s personality contribute to the motivation of elementary school children? > Select all main concepts and related terms
Resources for Finding Research Studies • Use ERIC (Education) and PsycINFO (Psychology) • Best resources for locating educational psychology journals: • Current research studies in peer reviewed journal articles. • Locate fulltext of journal articles by linking to pdf files or by linking to Findit@Concordia
Search Operators for ERIC & PsycINFO • AND - search operator used to connect two distinct concepts. • Locate articles that include both terms:
Search Operators for ERIC & PsycINFO • OR – search used to link similar concepts: • Search results can include either term,or both:
Techniques for Refining ERIC & PsycINFO Searches • Use Truncation (asteriskcharacter *) to find all variations of a root word; • Asterisk * replaces all characters to the right of the word • e.g: child* Searches: child children childhood child’s • Enclose Phrases “two or more words” with parentheses • Retrieves exact expressions: • e.g. “learning style*” AND “high school*” AND “academic performance”
Preparing Reference Section • APA ‘Quick Links’ on library website will answer most of your questions • Complete APA printed manuals in Library: • APA style guide to electronic references (pdf) • RefWorks prepares bibliographies in APA style • Also useful for organizing and storing references
Closing Remarks • If you are having difficulty finding relevant sources for your Reference section, please contact Chris. • For writing assistance, contact Counselling & Development (Learning Support) • For assistance with APA format, contact: • Webster Library Reference Desk / Ask a Librarian (7 days a week) • Good luck with your research assignments.