Geography 9099 Research Design & Presentation

1. Geography 9099Research Design & Presentation Dan Sich, Geography Librarian January 31, 2012

2. Today you will… • learn more about the Library Research Assignment • develop effective search strategies • search a variety of academic research databases • conduct citation searching • learn how to find dissertations & theses • learn how to use Interlibrary Loan (RACER) • organize your citations using RefWorks

3. Library research assignment Description: Dan Sich from Western Libraries will provide information pertaining to the use of bibliographical search engines.  You will submit a document that summarizes your assessment of the databases and your search strategy pertaining to your thesis topic. You are required to:a)   Justify and analyse the performance of each databaseb)    Document the search strategies that you used in each database (provide your key search terms and search set combinations).  Note:  Most data bases have a “save search strategy” option with print/e-mail capabilities.c)    Generate a bibliographic data set of 10-20 key titles.The assignment is to be submitted electronically to Dan Sich with the following filename: "Geography_9099_Your_Name" • Write in a formal style, cite appropriately, and include a title page at the begining and a reference list - maximum 750-1000 words of text (approximately 3-4 pages double spaced).

4. b) Search strategies: • State your research topic • Compose a research question • List relevant keywords (search terms) • Create an effective search strategy

5. Blind date example • Topic • ‘Research question’ • List relevant keywords • Search strategies

6. b) Search strategies: • Research topic: disabled people in public places • Possible research question: How do concepts of “disability” affect disabled people’s ability to move freely within public spaces?

7. b) Search strategies: • Research question: How do concepts of “disability” affect disabled people’s ability to move freely within public spaces? • List of relevant keywords (or phrases): • disabled people: disabled, disability • public space: public place, spatial mobility • concept: attitude, experience

8. b) Search strategies: Keywords in a completed search strategy: (disabled OR disability) AND (“public space*” OR “public place*” OR “spatial mobility”) AND (attitude* OR experience*)

9. b) Search strategies: • Use an asterisk * for truncation (wild card) • “put phrases inside double quotes” • (group similar keywords in brackets) • Put OR between similar keywords • Put AND between groups of keywords

10. a) Justify and analyse the performance of each database • Provide rationalization & evaluation of resources used • Database coverage & content: relevant to your topic? • Number of databases used: adequate? • Understand & use ‘controlled terms’ in search • Further ‘refine’ within search results (if possible) • Use of citation searching (if available) • Provide evidence of critical thinking: • Think outside of Geography • Ensure that your 10-20 items are is relevant to your research question

11. Off-Campus Access

12. Program Guides • Geography • Earth Sciences

13. Hands-on (15-20 min) • Geobase (geography) • Web of Science (multidisciplinary, citation searching) • Scopus (multidisciplinary, citation searching) • BIOSIS Previews (life sciences, geosciences)

14. Database presentations • Demonstrate a search • What types of results? • What’s the subject focus? • Are there abstracts? • Are there subject terms? • Can you do citation searching? • Are there links to fulltext? • Can you export to RefWorks? • Are there saved searches/alerts? • Are there relevant results? • What do you likes? • What do you dislike? • Would you use it?

15. Many databases to choose from • Geobase • GeoRef • GeoScience • Compendex • BIOSIS • PubMed • EconLit • Historical Abs/America History & Life • SCOPUS • Web of Science • Greenfile • Google Scholar Discipline-specific Multidisciplinary

16. a) Justify and analyse the performance of each database • Provide rationalization & evaluation of resources used • Database coverage & content: relevant to your topic? • Number of databases used: adequate? • Understand & use ‘controlled terms’ in search • Further ‘refine’ within search results (if possible) • Use of citation searching (if available) • Provide evidence of critical thinking: • Think outside of Geography • Ensure that your 10-20 items are is relevant to your research question

17. Dissertations & theses

18. Interlibrary Loan (RACER) • Create account

19. c) a bibliographic data set of 10-20 key titles • List of citations • Format using formal citation style • Format using RefWorks (optional) to save time

20. RefWorks • Create account • Download records from databases • Organize references (folders) • Create bibliography (MLA, APA, Chicago...) • Format Word docs with Write-N-Cite

21. Submitting the assignment • Due: Feb 7 • Email: dsich2@uwo.ca • Subject: Geography 9099 assignment • Filename: Geography_9099_Your_Name (Word doc preferred) • I will return your marks to you via email and deliver print to Jamie. Please ensure that your email is within quota.

22. Things to remember • Search in the right place(s) • Spend time formulating a search strategy • Try citation searching • We can get dissertations & theses • If we don’t have something, you can probably get it through Interlibrary Loan • Save time on your bibliography with RefWorks

23. More hands-on • You’re welcome to stay until 12:20 to work on your own research

24. Questions? • Until mid-March:Dan Sichdsich2@uwo.caext. 82740 • After mid-March:Courtney Waughcwaugh5@uwo.ca