EDUC 601: Research Overview

EDUC 601: Educational ResearchViterbo University Library

TODAY’S GOALS:1. Develop, use, and refine search strategies to

locate peer-reviewed research articles related to your topic.

2. Request articles with ILLiad.

3. Organize your research with RefWorks.

GOAL ONE: SEARCHING FOR PEER-REVIEWED, PRIMARY RESEARCH ARTICLES

What you need:

• Research articles (studies)

• Peer-reviewed (refereed)

• Published recently (within 5 years)

Where you’ll find these:

• Academic journals (print and online)

• Books (rarely)

• Government publications

Primary Research:Researcher(s) conducts an original study to collect new data and reports on the findings.

Secondary Research:Author provides an overview, review and/or interprets existing information.

What is Primary Research?

WHY PEER-REVIEWED?

Review Committee

Author

Editor

Published!

TIME SAVER: Scan this Citation to Decide if it’s Primary or Secondary

TIME SAVER: Primary or Secondary?

WHAT IS “RELATED” RESEARCH?You need to locate articles related to your topic. This means they do not have to match your exact topic:

• Research question: Does student writing (journaling) improve writing skills?

• Age: Middle School

Broader concepts: writing skills, writing activities, student improvement

Narrower concepts: journaling, free writing

Additional concepts: writing, journaling, free writing, academic improvement, teaching methods for writing improvement

Most of these concepts can be worked into acceptable article searches.

Available Research

Your Research Question

Related Research: Concept A

Study Methodologies

Related Research: Concept B

Ways to Develop Keywords: Visual Brainstorming

adolescentssecondary education

Grade 7

diaries

student journals

journal writing

middle schoolwriting exercises

Writing skills

writing processes

creative writing, beginning writing

teaching methods

learning strategies

Database Search: “writing skills” and “teaching methods” and “secondary”

Writing

Find Research Articles at Viterbo University

TWO WAYS TO SEARCH: KEYWORD VS. SUBJECT

Keywords

• Common language• Tip: Use single words or

short phrases

Subject Headings

• Formal language• Refer to the “thesaurus” • Tip: Grab subjects from other

articles

Sample

Your subject: Reading

Age of students: Third Grade

Study Summary: How do book clubs influence reading skills?

Keywords: reading, participation, effect, third graders, primary, elementary, comprehension

Subjects (from database):

• LITERACY education• EDUCATION, elementary• BOOKS & reading• LITERACY• CHILDREN• BOOK clubs (discussion groups)

Results: Good results with

keywords (casual language).

More focused results with subject terms (formal language).

REFINE: LIMIT YOUR RESULTS

ERIC Limits: Advanced

Database have “limiters” to help with peer-reviewed, primary, etc.

GOAL TWO: USINGWhat is ILLiad?

• The library uses a program called ILLiad to request materials from other libraries.

When to Use ILLiad

• If you do not locate a full-text article online, use your ILLiad account. Articles will take approximately 2-5 days to arrive electronically.

Note on Books

• If Viterbo does not own the book, your local public library can often get it faster. We can help you, but it will take longer and you will have the book for less time.

Note on Dissertations

• If you would like to request a dissertation, please remember that it is not peer-reviewed. Also, it may be difficult to find older dissertations as most libraries will not lend them.

ILLiad Guidelines and Instructions: http://www.viterbo.edu/library1.aspx?id=10284

WHEN TO USE ILLIADTutorial: http://libguides.viterbo.edu/content.php?pid=217725&sid=1809542

1. When searching databases, if you don’t see a link to “fulltext,” “PDF,” or “linked fulltext,” click on “360 Link to Full Text.”

2. If you still are not able to retrieve your article, request it through ILLiad.

GOAL THREE: USING

• Official RefWorks Tutorial: http://www.youtube.com/user/ProQuestRefWorks#p/c/0/MuVb9j0mX6Y

What is RefWorks?RefWorks is a citation management program that helps you organize your research. You may import articles from databases, create a work cited list, and get help formatting an APA-style paper.

Access RefWorks through the library’s webpage using the EDUC 601 Subject Guide or the “Database Search” tab from the main page.

CONTACT US!

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 608-796-3270

Web Page: www.viterbo.edu/library

Database Access: Use your VU login and

password. If you have trouble, please

contact us for alternative login tips.