Date post: | 02-Aug-2015 |
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Framing the Context:Using Subject Specific Databases to
Explore Your Topic
Nicole BranchSanta Clara University Library
Image courtesy of flickr user Jeff Babbitt
Objectives • Practice a model to help develop assignment topics
• Become familiar with subject-specific library resources
• Become familiar with sources for images
• Develop a strategy for searching for sources for your assignment
Image courtesy of flickr user Kirsten Pauli
Developing Your Topic
Topic -- Question -- Significance
Image courtesy of flickr user D. Robert Wolcheck
Choosing Your Topic
• An interesting subject that came up in class
• Something you are passionate about
• A topic you would like to learn more about
Image courtesy of flickr user Evelyn Flint
Warm up
• Write down your topic as it currently exists
• If you don’t have a topic yet, write down any topic you are interested in
Developing Your Topic
Topic -- Question -- Significance
Topic
Gender & Politics
Focus your topic
• If you can state your topic in 2-3 words, it is too broad.
• Narrow your topic by adding a context:HistoryDifferent communitiesDisciplineAudience
Examples
• History» Perception of women in politics over time
• Different Communities» Women in politics in the U.S. vs. Turkey
• Discipline» Political Science; Women’s studies
• Audience» Popular; Experts; Critics
Topic
Women and Politics
• Depictions of women in politics over time
Discussion
• Describe your primary topic to your neighbor.
• Integrate a context to develop your topic.• History• Different communities• Discipline• Audience
Developing Your Topic
Topic -- Question -- Significance
Question
• Add a question such as how, why, or in what ways to your topic.
• In what ways have depictions of women in United States politics changed over the past 20 years?
Common Mistakes
• Avoid questions with one word answers or that cannot be answered within limits of the assignment.
• Avoid questions that are too vague or cannot be answered with research.
• Avoid speculation without evidence.
Question
• In what ways have depictions of women in United States politics changed over the past 20 years?
Writing Reflection
• Transform your topic into a question.
• Incorporate How WhyIn what ways
Developing Your Topic
Topic -- Question -- Significance
Significance
• So what?• I am researching…. Because I want to explore…
Women & Politics
I am researching Depictions of women in U.S. politics over the past
20 years
Because I want to explore» The ways in which rhetoric about gender related to
politics has changed over time.
Keep it Open
I am researching Depictions of women in U.S. politics over the past
20 years
Because I want to explore» The ways in which rhetoric about gender related to
politics has changed over time.
Reflection & Discussion
Apply significance to your question
• I am researching ___________ because I want to explore___________.
Questions?
Identifying Keywords
I am researching Depictions of women in U.S. politics over the past
20 years
Because I want to explore» The ways in which rhetoric about gender related to
politics has changed over time.
Identifying Keywords
I am researching Depictions of women in U.S. politics over the past
20 years
Because I want to explore» The ways in which rhetoric about gender related to
politics has changed over time.
Identifying Keywords
Joshua Vossler, Selecting and Using Keywords
Finding the Context
• Research Guides
• Background Information
• Article Databases
• Finding & using images
Getting Started
• Using the keywords you identify from your research question, find one background article on your topic.
• Revisit your keyword list and add any new terms you identified by reading more about your topic
Database Search
• Selecting a database:Who would be writing, thinking, talking about this
topic?
• Search & advanced search
Creative Commons
A Shared Culture: http://creativecommons.org/videos/a-shared-culture
Creative Commons License
• Attribution Image courtesy of…..
• Non-Commercial
• Non-Derivative
• Share & Share Alike
Finding Articles and Images
• Return to the course guide
• Practice finding articles
• Practice finding images
Questions?
Any last questions about
• Topic Development
• Database searching
• Search strategy
Nicole BranchInstruction [email protected]
Thank you to flickr users:Jeff BabbittEvelyn FlintKirsten Pauli & D. Robert Wolcheckfor sharing their work through creative commons license.