Research Methods in Health Studies

1. Research Methods in Health Studies WELL 408 K. LeMoine, Instructor L. Dobson, Librarian 2010 February 1

2. Library Help • Book a Tutor • Ask the Library – chat, phone, email, in person • Research & Writing Help • Library Classes Handouts Blog • RefWorks – citation manager • APA & MLA Citation Style

6. Library Classes Handouts Blog • Did you attend a library class? • Check the blog for copies of the handouts and possibly some extra advice from the librarian who taught your class. 

9. E-resources at Centennial Libraries Over 100 databases Search One at a time Many at one time using vendor aggregators. See list to the right.............► ► Almost all at once through BIGsearch 9

10. library.centennialcollege.ca Distance Access

11. Journals & Databases Journals: Published in issues regularly (weekly, monthly, etc.) Each issue contains several articles (essays) by different authors Databases: Licensed electronic resources that let you search thousands of articles at one time

12. Journals: scholarly or general level? Scholarly articles are documented (in-text citations, footnotes or endnotes). Most are peer reviewed = highest research quality General articles are not documented 12

13. “Peer reviewed” articles Also called “refereed” or “academic” or “scholarly” Well researched, authoritative work A committee of scholars must approve quality before the editor publishes Most databases allow you to limit to peer reviewed if you want 13 13 13

14. SEARCH DESIGN Be clear about your search topic If topic is new to you, get some background info

17. Database searching “The basics”

18. START YOUR RESEARCH BOXon the Libraries homepage…

22. SUBJECT TERMS (“THESAURUS “)– helps you choose effective search terms (“tag terms”). All will appear in SUBJECT FIELD at least.

28. AND: Boolean Operator combines AND 28

31. OR: Boolean operator collects

33. Managing your search results • Print, email, download, export, alerts service, citation help – available in most databases • Export: to RefWorks, “a program that will correctly format bibliographies and in-text references into your chosen format, such as MLA Style.” • EBSCO vendor also provides MyEBSCOhost individual accounts Export to RefWorks E-mail E-mail Download

34. Add to folder

35. Folder

37. How to find original research articles? Several ways…

39. Use the THESAURUS to find terms relating to research

40. Use BIGsearch for Literature Reviews

44. How to find policy documents? • Include words that relate to policy in your searches; examples: policy, policies, government, etc. • Use Newspaper databases (e.g. Lexis Nexis) to search for reports about government policy issues and debates; eg. Health care and issues and Ontario • Browse government websites – and association websites on the Internet for information

45. Internet sites • See handout for some recommended sites

46. Critical Thinking “I already diagnosed myself on the Internet. I’m only here for a second opinion.”

47. Books(print & e-books)– Search library catalogue by keyword, author, or title