POLS 2300:

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POLS 2300

• Introduction to Library Research

Timothy Bristow Research Instruction
Librarian, Scott Library
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Class Goals

• Learn how to construct an effective keyword
  search
• Learn how to use the Library Catalogue and
  Periodical Indexes to find relevant information
• Discuss ways to think critically about your
  research sources
• Prepare you to work on your annotated bibliography

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When starting a research project, where do you
look first?
QUESTIONS
What is a scholarly resource?
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Scholarly Sources Are

• The product of research analysis they provide
  evidence of their research by citing other
  sources
• Produced by scholars for scholars and are part of
  a larger conversation about an issue
• Often not freely available online, which is why
  you need to use our library catalogue and
  databases

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Keyword Searching

1. Prepare your search by writing out your research
   question and then identifying the key concepts
2. The same concept can often be expressed in
   multiple ways, so consider alternative keywords
   synonyms
3. Construct your search using language that the
   database understands to get the best possible
   results syntax
4. Search, examine the results, and modify your
   search

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Library Catalogue

• The Library Catalogue is a database containing
  records for materials in all York Libraries
• Use the Catalogue to find books, films, reports,
  but not journal articles
• Advanced Search will give you more control and
  often better results when searching for a topic

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Periodical Indexes

• Periodical Indexes are databases that contain
  records of journal articles in a particular
  subject area
• Use the Librarys online Subject Guides and the
  POLS 2300 Course Guide to identify useful
  indexes
• The indexes contain records for many articles
  that we have at York and for some that we dont

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Thinking Critically 1

• Authority Who is responsible for producing the
  source? Is the author or publisher affiliated
  with an organization?
• Audience What is the intended audience of the
  source? E.g. researchers, students, the general
  public
• Purpose Why was the source created, what is its
  purpose? E.g. to present research, set policy,
  inform, entertain, persuade

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Thinking Critically 2

• Perspective Does the source express a particular
  political or institutional perspective?
• Currency When was the source created? Is the
  information still relevant?
• Validity Are the authors claims supported by
  evidence and research? Does the research method
  seem sound?

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Getting Help

• Visit the Research Questions Desk at the Scott
  Library
• Book a Research Appointment
• Ask a question online with askON
• Consult the POLS 2300 Course Guide