An Adventure in ResearchUsing Beaman Library
Services and ResourcesSpring 2010
Beaman Library is your starting point for research
Research materials at your fingertips!
Computers for your convenience!
Study Rooms available to study by yourself or for a group to gather!
Our Library Staff is here for you!
Catacomb—Your Beaman Library Homepage
• Access the library catalog & our electronic databases from any computer
• Ask a Reference Question??? Links you with a librarian for all of your questions
• Find out information about the library or read the latest library newsletter
The Research Process
The research process requires a knowledge of
The locations of information resources How information resources are
organized The tools needed for accessing
information regardless of its format The criteria for evaluating
information retrieved
Information Resources in Beaman Library - Organization
Library of Congress Classification System (LB 2806 .R38)—Read the call number alphabetically and numerically. Any number after the decimal point is treated like a decimal number.
Designators (Ref, Oversize, Buffington…)—Gives you a clue as to where these books are physically located in library. They are special sections unto themselves.
Local Collections (Special Collections, Restoration Collection…)
Information Resources in Beaman Library – access tools
Books
Articles (print & electronic)-Scholarly journal articles-Popular magazine articles-Newspaper articles
Websites
Books!
• Reference Books:-use in library only
• General Collection:-check out for 3 weeks for undergrads.
• eBooks:-access and read online. You must create your own username and password at netlibrary.com from a Lipscomb computer and then you can access them from anywhere.
To find a Book…
Use…The online catalog• Author Search• Title Search• Subject Search—very specific
only searches subject line (which are Library of Congress approved subject headings)
• Keyword Search--searches all lines in the record except for Subjects.
http://library.lipscomb.edu
Articles!
• Scholarly journals-aka “refereed”, “peer-reviewed”, “academic”-articles reviewed and accepted by experts in the field
• Magazines, popular and trade journals-Booklist, Southern Living, GQ
• Newspapers-The Tennessean, Wall Street Journal
To find an Article…Searching
• Search in a print indexOR
• Use one of the databases from the library’s “Electronic Resources” page--On- and off-campus access
• Don’t look for articles in the Catalog!
Periodical Indexes- Location
Periodical indexes are located on the main floor, east wing of Beaman Library.
Periodical Indexes In Print -Subject and general: access tools
• Provides citations to articles in magazines, journals, and newspapers• Remember: citations only - no full-text
• Examples of subject indexes• General Science Index• Social Sciences Index • Education Index
• Example of general index• Readers Guide to Periodical Literature
Periodical Index Citations – Subject examples
Social Sciences Index
Soc Forces =Social Forces
To find an Article…Searching
• Search in a print indexOR
• Use one of the databases from the library’s “Electronic Resources” page--On- and off-campus access
• Don’t look for articles in CATACOMB!
To find an Article…Sorting
• Citation: gives you the information you need to track down the work
• Abstract: summary of article + citation
• Full Text: complete text of article + citation
To find an Article…Locating
• Found sources in a print index or database? Now, how do you find them?
Locating article…pt. 1
• If the source located was cited in a database…• Check to see if full-text is available
Locating article…pt. 2
• If the source located was cited in a print index or full-text was not available in a database…• Check the journal title in the Catalog by
doing a Title Search to see if Beaman has the journal in print
Locating articles…pt. 3
• If the source is not available in print in Beaman Library or full-text via database…• Check other local libraries (in WorldCat or
Athena) to see if they have the journal in print
• Request the article through Interlibrary Loan (Allow 2 weeks)
Periodicals - Location
Current (2010) magazines and journals are arranged alphabetically on open shelves for easy browsing.
Periodicals - Location
Bound periodicals are arranged alphabetically and chronologically.
Periodicals - Location
Some periodicals are kept on microfilm or microfiche.
Electronic/ Online Resources: Types
• General
• Subject specific
• Government
• Military
• Commercial
• Education
Databases
Tennessee Electronic Library
• Academic OneFile• Expanded Academic• Science Database• PowerSearch
Databases
Also try…
• Business Source Premier• LexisNexis• Medline• Natural Standard
Databases
and
Citations and abstractspeer reviewed journals –1806 to the present
chapters from books – dissertations27 languages
Full-text 60 peer-reviewed APA journals from 1894 to the present
book chapters from 2000–2002English language
Government Databases
• Library of Congress
• National Institute of Mental Health
• National Library of Medicine
Government Databases
• MedlinePlus
• ERIC
Psychology Databases
Social Psychology Network
Mental Help Net
Search engines
search specifically for scholarly literature: peer-reviewed papers
theses books preprints abstracts technical reports
arranges search results by relevancy
http://scholar.google.com/
Search engines
http://infomine.ucr.edu/
… a virtual library of Internet resources relevant to faculty, students, and research staff at the university level.
electronic journals electronic booksbulletin boards databasesarticles
Evaluating Information
from monographs [books]
from periodicals
from databases
Evaluating books
• A recognized author• Timely content• Documentation• Physical appearance
Evaluating Journal Articles
Scholarly Journal Characteristics
Written for scholars or researchers in a specialized field (medicine, psychology, education)
Evaluating Journal Articles
• found in specialized (subject) indexes [Social Sciences Index]
usually published quarterly or monthly
• mostly print • graphs and/or tables• few or no ads
Evaluating Journal Articles
Scholarly Journal Characteristics
• cites research• includes notes and/or bibliography• passes review by panel of experts
• peer reviewed• refereed
Databases
• Academic .edu
• Government .gov
• Specialized/commercial.com/.org/.net
Web Site Evaluation—the WWW’s
Who says it? Author or sponsor Credentials of responsible party Example: AMDOC
Web Site Evaluation—the WWW’s
What does it claim, assert, etc.? Purpose of web site Biased, objective, fair Factual…in depth Correct grammar, spelling, etc. Example: Silent Killer Example: Scout Report
Web Site Evaluation—the WWW’s
When was it said?• Publication date• Revisions• Links up-to-date• Example: Oncolink
Interlibrary Loan
• Question: What do I do if a resource I need is not available in the Beaman Library?
• Answer: Use the Interlibrary loan service provided by Beaman Library
Interlibrary Loan
Facts about Interlibrary Loan:
• Interlibrary Loan is a service provided by Beaman Library to obtain materials NOT owned by Beaman Library.
• The conditions of this service are set by the National Interlibrary Loan Code.
• The loan period is determined by the lending library.
• Athena is an area consortium of local libraries who loan and borrow from one another without charge.
• Applications are available at the Reference desk or online in Catacomb.
Access form online: http://library.lipscomb.edu
Citations
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association
• APA Style.org
• Citation Styles
Review: The Power of Five
What does scholarly research require?
A knowledge of1. The locations of information resources2. Organization of information resources3. The access tools needed for obtaining
information regardless of its format4. The criteria for evaluating information
located5. The rules of scholarly research
(proper citing/respect for copyright)
Your mission...
• Come up with a suitable topic (not too broad, not too narrow)
• Be able to find resources in all formats (books, articles, websites, etc.)
• Incorporate & cite these sources correctly (be careful not to plagiarize!)
• Remember: librarians are here to help you with your mission!