LRC Research Orientation

Featuring NC-LRC Librarian, Barbara Duggal

CALL NOW!!! (or email) to Schedule a One-on-One or Small Group
Research Assistance Appointment!
• Telephone: (510) 742-3128
• Email: bduggal@ohlone.edu or librarians@ohlone.edu

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.

Give every website the Reliability Test:

• Compare sources to verify information.
• Beware of sites that seem biased or push a specific agenda.
• Pay attention to URL suffixes. U.S. sites are assigned a suffix according to the groups or individuals who own them. For example:
  • .com - For commercial use—businesses & individuals
  • .edu - Educational institutions (colleges & universities). Be wary of .edu sites that might be owned by individual students & not regulated for accuracy.
  • .gov - Owned and operated by a government institution or agency.
  • .org - Usually indicates a nonprofit organization, but not always!

Comprehensive Guide to Evaluating Web resources on LRC Website!! http://www2.ohlone.edu/org/library/webeval.html

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.

One great source for studies on social issues and trends:

• Pew Research Center: http://pewresearch.org/topics/newsmedia/       

Don’t forget to search HANS for books in print, eBooks, print periodicals & a variety of eResources!

• From LRC homepage, select Search HANS
• Enter, for instance, Immigration 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 (eBook, online periodical, circulating book, etc.)

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.

 “Best Bet” databases for a variety of topics:

• Any of the four databases under “News” subject category
• Academic Search Premier
• SIRS Researcher (under Social Sciences) Check out its Pro vs. Con sources on controversial issues

Find these under General category in Subject Directory of Library Databases, select:
Net Library: 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

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
Excellent aides; use them! But check the citations generated 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.
• Son of Citation Machine: Free! http://citationmachine.net/

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

Any Questions? Ask a Librarian!!