1. Laksamee Putnam lputnam@towson.edu Research & Instruction Librarian WRIT 312:Finding information using Cook Library Resources

2. First… Laksamee Putnam lputnam@towson.edu Cook Library Reference: 410.704.2462. IM/email Phone: 410.704.3746. Twitter: @LibrarianLaks

3. Take away… Introduction to Library Resources Search Tips Places to get started Evaluating Sources Citation Help

4. The Research Process Interpreting the Assignment Selecting a Topic Identifying & Listing Vocabulary Reading Background Information Refining a Topic Using Online Databases & Indexes Citing Sources Evaluating Sources Gathering Sources Drafting Paper or Presentation The Research Process

5. Library Homepage Main website Off campus login Journal List Catalogs Need help/Ask a Librarian Course Gateway Research -> Course Gateways -> Select a Course (WRIT 312) Encyclopedia of Scientific Principles, Laws and Theories

6. Search Tips Boolean “search connectors” Stephen Hawking AND Physics seismoscopeOR seismometer

7. Search Tips Truncation Technolog* Technolog-y Technolog-ist Technolog-ical Technolog-ically Be careful where you put the truncation symbol!

8. Search Tips What is a peer reviewed article? Reviewed by scientific experts in the field Provides more credibility Image taken from The Publication Cycle and Scientific Research tutorial

9. Scholarly Articles Popular Articles Multiple authors Authors affiliated with a university Numerous references An abstract At least several pages in length Single author with no credentials No citations Non-technical language Lots of pictures Short length Search Tips Check out this video help guide for more info!

10. Searching for Scholarly Articles Most efficient way: Cook Library Databases Academic Search Premier Science Citation Index Science Direct Historical Abstracts

11. Database Search Demo Course gateway for WRIT 312 Academic Search Premier Choose Databases Historical Abstracts, GeoRef Topic: Seismometer

12. Web Source Issue #1: Quality Evaluation Authority/Authorship – Determine who is responsible for the information. What are his/her credentials? Currency – Is the information current and up-to-date? Is there a publication date? Objectivity – Is there any bias? What is the purpose of the web page (to inform or to persuade)? Scope – Are sources cited? Is the subject covered in depth? Usability – Is the site easy to navigate? Are spelling and grammar correct?

13. Searching the Web Try different search engines Google Scholar Scirus Vadlo Limit to .gov or .edu For example, you can usually search “topic” + .gov “transmission electron microscope” .gov

14. Why is it important to cite your sources? Allows your readers to verify and identify where the information and ideas in your paper originated Gives credit to the owners of the ideas (not plagiarizing) Get credit for your own ideas Required for assignment http://icanhascheezburger.com/2007/09/12/copy-cat/

15. Paraphrasing Using an idea and putting it in your own words…(sentence by sentence) Avoid “paraphrase plagiarism”--where your paraphrase is too similar to original source Using a thesaurus ≠ your own writing Remember to cite! A paraphrase must always be documented. Avoid cutting and pasting anything but what you use as direct quotes.

17. Worksheet! Answer the various questions as you: Do the guided search Find a scholarly article on your scientific instrument Create a citation for your article Ask if you have questions!

18. Questions? Feel free to contact me: Laksamee Putnam lputnam@towson.edu 410.704.3746. Twitter: @LibrarianLaks Or any reference librarian: Visit Cook Library Reference Desk 410.704.2462. IM – tucookchat