3 x 4 = x 4 = 12 The Research Process Step One: Identify and Articulate the Problem Step Two: Find Information Step Three: Analyze and Evaluate Step.

3 x 4 =

x 4 = 12

The Research Process

Step One: Identify and Articulate the Problem

Step Two: Find Information

Step Three: Analyze and Evaluate

Step Four: Present

$ *

MLA, APA

Bias, Authority, Currency

Many students are NOT proficient at conducting research on the internet…or “mining” electronic

databases (like library catalogues and magazine indexes).

Can you help me find information about the impact

of technology on society? I used Google and typed

impact of technology on society

but I found way too much…I don’t know where to start!

Grolier Online

EBSCOhost

EBSCOhostCanadian Student Research Center

Step Two: Gather information

Ready? Set?

Wait!!!

Think about the types of sources that will have answers to your

questions.

Construct effective search strategies.

Results?

I’m doing a research paper on the Crips, a youth gang in

Toronto. I have to use three scholarly journal articles, published in the last two

years. I can’t find ANY journal articles on the Crips! Can you

help me?

Current research Your topic

provincial

CDN laws about your topic

In the news…

federaldefinitions

statistical information

historical, Background

infoNewspaper database

Gov’t websiteE-stat – gov’t

website/database

book

book

Milestones

Books

• Use when you need:– easy to assess,

credible information– historical background– major research– broad scope

• Find them using:– library catalogues

• Borrow via inter-library loan if we don’t have a copy of what you need

– Google Scholar – books

• Search strategy: broad terms; browse

Articles

• Use when you need:– Current information

– Focused information

– Electronic access

– Actual research reports from the experts

– Case studies

– opinions from experts in the field

– News reports

• Find using:– Library indexes and

databases– Google scholar

• Search strategy– More focused terms;

use the features of the database to refine document type (eg. RESEARCH, PEER-REVIEWED)

Websites

• Use when you need– (really!) current

information– Government

information– Personal opinions– Association and

professional organization – mission statements, publications, philosophies

• Find using:– Library subject guides– Association,

organization, or educational institution portals

– Google scholar

Natural Language

OK for Google

DOES NOT work with library databases

Example:– active learning impact student achievement

secondary

Keyword

MUST USE when searching library databases

Examples of a keyword search:– (active learning) and (student achievement)

and (secondary)

Step Two: Gather information

Ready? Set?

GO!!!

Step Three: Analyze and Evaluate

• Date

• Publisher

• Bias• Primary Source?

• Secondary Source?

• More…

Step Four: Present, Use, Communicate

Are you prepared?

• Why aren’t students information literate when they graduate from high school?

• survey