Research & Resources @ The LibraryPrepared for: Dr. Norine Verberg

Social Inequality (SOCI 290)

October 24, 2014Suzanne van den Hoogen, MLIS

Student ID = Library Card

Virtual Tour: Exploring the Library websitehttp://sites.stfx.ca/library/

Searching for Information

Know your topic!

Evaluating Information

• Accuracy• Authority• Currency• Bias

Questions to ask:

Accuracy, Authority, Currency, Bias Is this source reliable? Is this source current? Have opinions changed? What are the current trends in this research area? Are there any gaps in the research? Is something missing? Who is the author? Are they an expert in this field? Do they represent multiple points of view or do they express bias for their

own point of view?

Scholarly vs. Popular Sources

Popular• Magazines• Written by journalists, students,

popular authors, or no author listed• Flashy covers• Advertisements• Brief articles• Trade Journals: Business, Finance,

Industry (Written by experts, but may not be peer reviewed)

• Newspapers

Scholarly• Journals• Written by experts• Evaluated by experts: “Peer Reviewed”• Authoritative Source• Usually include:

– Credentials of the Author– Abstract– Bibliography– Specialized vocabulary– Reference List

Questions to ask:

Citing Information

Tutorials:

One-on-One Session? Contact Suzanne

Citing References: ASA Citation Style Guides

HM 561 A54 2007

StFX Sociology Department: ASA Style Guide

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• Reference Desk• Personal Appointments• Email: reference@stfx.ca• Telephone: 867- 2242

• Online• LiveHelp

• Contact Suzanne• svandenh@stfx.ca• 867-4535

Liaison Librarian for: • Anthropology

• Education, Adult Education

• Political Science

• Sociology

QUESTIONS ?