Sarah Brick Archer
Assistant Professor of
Library Services
Ofc.: Rm# 308B, ext.: #3267
email: archersa@nsuok.edu

Overview to the library:

Maps
Library of Congress
Hours

Why do research?

Research can lead to information; information can lead to knowledge, and knowledge is powerful. Understanding the process of research is a lifelong learning skill.  It is useful in academic, professional, and personal endeavors. All of the informational resources available originated from someone being curious about something, exploring it, and sharing the findings.

Search Strategy

CLIP Tutorial on Search Strategies

1. Identify topic--search current journals, and professional association Web sites to see what is topical.
2. Determine type of resource (books, journals, etc.) to best answer the question. Journals are more technical and scholarly than magazines.  They are published less often than magazines and are usually on specific topics.
   
3. Use the databases listed below and limit the search to peer reviewed. 
   
4. Identify keywords and descriptors used in the database to represent the concept.
5. Construct the search using boolean operators.
6. Check ways to limit the search.
7. Use database help screens for information on refining the search.
   
8. Read titles and abstracts to determine which articles would be useful.
9. Email or print the articles.
10. Do not plagiarize or use other people's work without giving credit to them.
11. Cite the sources using APA. (CLIP Tutorial on Citations)
    

Journal Article Reflection Tips:

1. Take notes and highlight important words in the article.
2. Description--Include who, what, when, where, and why of the article.  What is the overall message of the writer?
3. Analyze--Did the author support his/her point?  Were there biases in the article?  Were there omissions in the article? How is this article unique from other articles on the same subject?  How does it relate to your own experience? (Additional suggestions on critiquing articles.)
   
4. Plan--Give specific examples of activities or methods that could be used in the classroom.
   

What	Why	Where
Reference Books A Critical Dictionary of Educational Concepts Ref. LB 15.B29 Encyclopedia of Learning & Memory Ref. BF 318.E53 Handbook of School Psychology LB 1051.H2356 Historical Encyclopedia of School Psychology Ref. LB 1027.55.H57 The Language of Learning:  A Guide to Education Terms Ref. LB 15.M32	Provide overview to a topic, define words	first floor
Regular Books, print & electronic	histories, definitions of terms, explanation of theories, in-depth analysis	Library Catalog subject headings:* cognitive styles, *Motivation in education, Effective teaching, educational psychology, learning, psychology of achievement motivation
Journals Contemporary Educational Psychology Educational Psychology in Practice 1999-2003 Journal of Instructional Psychology 1996-present Journal of School Psychology LB3013.6 .J6	applications of theories, current trends, research studies	ERIC subject headings: Cognitive style, Learning modalities, Learning strategies, Learning motivation, Thinking Skills, Classroom techniques, Long term memory, Retention (Psychology), Modeling (Psychology),  Socialization, Learning theories, Piagetian Theory, Multiple intelligences, Sex differences, Self esteem, Emotional Development, Constructivism, Student evaluation, Standardized tests, National competency tests. Professional Development Collection Education Full Text subject headings:  Achievement motivation, Intrinsic motivation, Cognitive style PsycINFO PsycArticles
Internet Resources		Hard Work and High Expectations:  Motivating Students to Learn Motivating Students Students:  How They View Learning and Their Schools US. Dept. of Education Innovations in Teaching (North Carolina) The Internet Public Library
Citing materials		APA

Evaluating what is found:

1. Identify the author(s) and determine his/her credentials.  Does the author have a degree in the field; is the author a professor; does the author have other works published on similar topics?
2. What is the date of the publication?  Currency is important in most fields.  It is especially important for Web pages.
3. Does the publisher have a good reputation?  Is the resource published by a professional association or university press?  Is the journal refereed? For Web sites, check the URL to determine the sponsor.  Gov sites are government sites; com are commercial; edu are educational.
4. How do the critics perceive the work?  Are there reviews available?
5. Is the material complete?  Does it have an index, bibliography. Is it well written with few grammatical or spelling errors?
6. Is the language slanted or biased?
7. Does it include references to well known facts or research studies?
8. For Web pages, do the links work? 

Prepared by Sarah Brick Archer, January 25, 2005.           
Return to Sarah's Instruction Page.