LRC Research Bio 105
Instructor: Laurie Issel-Tarver / Librarian: Barbara Duggal
Schedule a One-on-One or Small Group
Research Assistance Appointment!
• Telephone: (510) 742-3128
Email: bduggal@ohlone.edu or librarians@ohlone.edu

Root Word: Search / Prefix: Re
Doing research means to search again & again & sometimes again…

Guide to Evaluating Web Resources on LRC Website!!  http://www2.ohlone.edu/org/library/webeval.html
Whenever conducting research, it is your job to think critically about the information you find, but Internet sources found on the Web present a special challenge. Why?

• The materials found on the Internet are not selected as in a library collection;
• No standards or guidelines exist for inclusion on the Internet. Anyone can publish ANYTING on the web.

Excellent Web Directories:

• Librarian’s Internet Index: Websites You Can Trust: http://lii.org/
• Virtual Reference Shelf (Library of Congress): http://www.loc.gov/rr/askalib/virtualref.html
• Google Directory: http://www.google.com/dirhp Not pre-evaluated, but well-organized & comprehensive.     

Don’t forget to search HANS for books in print, eBooks, print periodicals & a variety of eResources! (eResources are not just about the Internet…)

• From LRC homepage, select Search HANS
• Enter, for instance, genetics in search field.
• Under Search By: leave keyword as limiter.
• Review options in Quick Limit for Keyword or Title Search drop-down menu. Leave as none for this search.
• Click Search & review results. Notice Library Location for item format & where you find it (circulating book--campus, eBook, online periodical, etc.)
• Notice # of Search Results: ___________
• Review “Sort by” drop-down menu options.
• Look for an eBook. Access & explore! Interfaces will vary.
• Look for an online periodical—access is slightly more complicated. Interfaces vary, so explore, experiment, ask for help, etc. Perseverance can pay off…remember: Re-Search!

Need a book from the Fremont LRC collection? Place a hold, have it sent to the NC-LRC for pick up & drop off! Watch the tutorial: http://www2.ohlone.edu/org/library/holds/holds.html .

From LRC homepage, http://www2.ohlone.edu/org/library select Search for Articles link.

• Review the databases under the subject area of interest.
• Scroll down the page for descriptions of each database.  

General Search Tips

• If searching from home, enter your Ohlone College student or staff ID and last name at the log-in to be granted access to subscription databases.
• Like Web search engines, each database will support a different set of rules for searching. Always refer to the “Help” section for specifics. Become efficient at two or three databases and you should see good results.
• A “subject” search will always retrieve more precise results. If you find a good article, check to see the assigned Subject Headings, then use those terms to search for more articles. If not getting enough results, try a “keyword” search.
• Always look for ways in which the database will allow you to save good search results as you go. Most offer the option to email results to your inbox.

Find these under every subject category of Library Databases, select:

• Net Library or Greenwood Press eBooks. Click on “Learn More” for a guide to using eBooks.
• Select “keyword” from drop-down menu at left.
• Enter search term

• Gale Virtual Reference Library

These e-Reference Books are good sources for general overviews of topics from a variety of perspectives.

• Go to: Advanced Search
• Search field Row 1: Select Keyword from drop-down menu. Enter a Search Term
• Search field Row 2: Select Keyword from drop-down menu. Enter a Search Term

ACADEMIC SEARCH PREMIER: Articles on academic or general interest topics.

• Create a personalized My EbscoHost account!
• Find “Sign In to My EbscoHost” on top tool bar
• Click on “I’m a New User”
• Follow prompts to create a personal account

Sample Basic Search

• On Basic Search page, select Choose Databases. For this search, select only Academic Search Premier. Click OK.
• Enter keyword: hemophilia.  How many Results are retrieved? ______________
• Find Sort by, select Relevance. Notice change in Results list. Notice relevancy meter on articles.
• Review Subject Thesaurus Term list. Use this to learn how the database is indexing your subject. If your term is not recognized, begin a new search using the term that most closely expresses your subject. Clicking on a term in the list will combine your search term with another of the databases controlled vocabulary, launching an advanced (more precise) search.
• Review Subject list. Make a note of any related areas that you might want to use to refine your search. For now, click on Genetic Aspects. Number of Results?___________ (Notice combined terms below Results.)
• Click Search Options. Select Full-Text; Select Scholarly (Peer Reviewed) Journals. In Date from: enter Jan. 2000; in Number of Pages: select Greater than: 2. Number of Results? ______­­­_____.
• Notice article: Prevalence of sporadic and familial haemophilia Click on title. Read Abstract.
• Collect Subject Terms. These can be combined & used in advanced searches later for more precise results: 1._____________________2._____________________3._____________________
• Find & click on Result List. Click on Add to Folder under this article. Review other articles from the same Results list. Always be alert to appropriate Subject Terms to add to your list for future searches.  
• Add two more articles to your folder. Click on Folder View. Click on boxes next to article to Select items. Explore icons for options. To email selected articles to yourself or others, click on envelope (email) icon. Select appropriate Citation Format (APA, MLA, etc.). Fill in email address information. Click send. Check your emails.

Sample Advanced Search:

• Let’s say you collected the following Subject Terms in your review of relevant articles. Click on New Search at top. Click on Advanced Search.
• Enter: blood coagulation disorders in the top field. Select SU Subject Terms from drop down menu in field at right.
• Enter genetic aspects in field below. Select SU Subject Terms from drop down menu in field at right.
• Refine search to Full Text; Number of Pages: Greater than: 2. Click Search.
• Review Results, Collect more Subject Terms to combine in a variety of ways in new searches for different results.

APA Citation Guides on LRC Website!!

• Guide to Citing Electronic Resources: http://www2.ohlone.edu/org/library/apaelec.pdf
• Guide to Citing Print References: http://www2.ohlone.edu/org/library/apaprint.pdf
• Citing sources must be considered within the larger context of avoiding plagiarism. Plagiarism is a form of theft. Plagiarism is when you steal someone’s intellectual property and claim it as your own.
• How do you avoid it?
• Use a variety of sources
• Take notes in your own words!
• Cite your sources!

Learn more about how to avoid plagiarism from this interactive tutorial: http://library.acadiau.ca/tutorials/plagiarism/

Practice building citations on this interactive tutorial: http://support.library.ewu.edu/reference/tutorial/flash/citation.html

Citation Maker Sites: Use them! But check the citations generated here against the APA Manual.

• NoodleBib Express: Free! http://www.noodletools.com/ .  Look for “Free Software Tools” column.  Select “NoodleBib Express” then “APA” for quick citation help.

Consult:
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.). (2001). Washington, D.C. American Psychological Association.

Any Questions? Ask a Librarian!