Basic Research Strategy Revised October 2014

Basic Research Strategy Revised October 2014 Adapted from Basic Research Strategy, Library Instruction & Information Literacy Department, Harold B. Lee Library, BYU Name: Due Date: Purpose: Learn research steps to help you track a topic through the library, moving from a general subject to a narrower topic supported by specific sources. Instructions: Work through the research pyramid, noting your findings in the embedded text boxes. Graphic adapted from A General Research Model for Research Paper Introduction, by James E. Ford in Literary Research Newsletter 6.6 (1981) 14. Although it may be tempting to bypass Step 1 of the Research Strategy Model above and jump immediately to Step 4, this is ultimately counterproductive. This assignment and your research paper are about depth, not superficiality; about comprehension, not bewilderment; about thoroughness, not carelessness; about proficiency, not rapidity. Finding Background Material 1. Consult the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH). After selecting a broad topic that interests you, think of several relevant terms (sometimes called keywords) associated with it. You ll eventually use these keywords to find articles referenced in electronic databases, as well as pertinent Internet sites. Several complete LCSH sets each comprised of five large red volumes are in the McKay Library. Two sets are located in the Commons along the north wall (Room 140, 1 st Floor, West Wing see accompanying map below). 1

These volumes list research terms (or headings) alphabetically. Look for your terms in the appropriate LCSH volume(s); however, be aware that your terms may not necessarily match those in the LCSH. Every research topic has its own language scholarly wording, phrasing, jargon, etc. and the LCSH influences, even determines, controlled or standardized vocabularies for research topics. So you may be directed to look elsewhere in the LCSH. Listings in the LCSH are coded as follows: BT = broader terms NT = narrower terms RT = related terms UF = used for USE = use (instead) SA = see also You ll notice that topics listed in the LCSH are broken down into sub-topics, which may help you narrow your subject further, if necessary. (Also, in 2009, the Library of Congress published Supplementary Vocabulary volumes to accompany the standard 5- volume set; it may be worthwhile to check for your terms there.) The LCSH also provides call numbers unique classification codes assigned to every item acquired by the library next to some headings. For example, the call number for Mormon temples is BX8643.T4, while the range of Mormonism is BX8601-BX8695. The McKay Library uses this number in arranging books on its shelves. This system ensures that books on similar topics will be shelved in close proximity. 1a. There is an online version of the LCSH; to access it, go to the Library of Congress website (http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects.html). Type a topic that interests you into the field that says Enter Keyword or Phrase. Highlight LC Subject Headings in the menu, then click Search. Usually several options will then be listed on the left under the Label column. Click on the appropriate entry. List several LCSH terms associated with your potential topic. If possible, include broader, narrower, and/or related terms, as well as call numbers (if given). 2

Term(s): Mormons, Temples BT/NT/RT: Mormon church buildings UF/USE/SA: Temples, Mormon Call #: BX8643.T4 Term(s): BT/NT/RT: UF/USE/SA: Call #: Term(s): BT/NT/RT: UF/USE/SA: Call #: Term(s): BT/NT/RT: UF/USE/SA: Call #: EXAMPLE 2. Consult General Encyclopedias. Locate general encyclopedias (encyclopedias comprised of short articles on many varied topics) such as Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Americana, Compton s, and World Book in the Library Commons (Room 140, 1 st Floor, West Wing). If a particular encyclopedia has an accompanying index volume, look up related terms. (Such indexes may direct you to additional volumes and pages where different aspects of your topic are discussed.) Encyclopedia Britannica is especially helpful because it has Micro volumes with shorter articles and Macro volumes with longer, more in-depth articles. (The former have red spines, the latter have black spines; indexes are blue.) 2a. A list of online encyclopedias is available from the Library s homepage. Simply select the Dict/Ency tab: 3

Dictionaries are on the left column, encyclopedias on the right. As you read general encyclopedia articles you ll likely find the following: General information on your subject Terminology (keywords, phrases) Source citations (useful in later research) Sub-categories relevant to your paper s focus Names of important authorities in the field Note: It s not appropriate to quote general encyclopedias in a college-level paper; however, when you find especially useful articles, it s a good idea to print (or photocopy) them so you have a hard copy of your research. This practice will help you later when documenting your sources. List the titles of two articles you read from general encyclopedias. Include the names of their authors (if provided), the name of the encyclopedia, the year of its edition, and its publication information. Title: Mormons Author: N/A Encyclopedia: World Book Online Reference Center Year/Edition: 2007 Publication Information: www.worldbookonline.com/wb/article?id=ar371640 Title: Author: Encyclopedia: Year/Edition: Publication Information: Title: Author: Encyclopedia: Year/Edition: Publication Information: EXAMPLE 4

In order to add credibility to your paper, you ll need to provide the credentials of authorities who have written about your subject. Often credentials will follow the name of the author of an article. In the Encyclopedia Britannica, the author s credentials are listed in the Propaedia volume (its spine is green). Links for electronic versions of encyclopedias may display this symbol:, indicating that its articles are signed (in other words, authors names are provided). Example: According to Dr. Patricia Smith, director of Chicago s Eating Disorders Clinic, anorexia... Find and state the credentials of the authors you listed above: 1. 2. A Quickie about Wiki: Even though it s written by regular people, Wikipedia is generally considered a useful resource, even in academia especially for overview, background, and its linked footnotes. Still, you may want to get your instructor s opinion and/or permission before using it in a formal research paper. Even if permission is granted, anticipate limits placed on its use: for example, of the several distinct sources required for a research paper, your instructor may only allow one Wiki article, or he/she may limit you to an article s footnotes. 3. Consult Specialized Encyclopedias. Specialized encyclopedias also called subject encyclopedias contain the same type of information as general encyclopedias, but provide a more in-depth treatment of your subject. Hard-copy versions, organized by discipline, are found among the rows of bookshelves to the left of the circulation desk (see gray box in map above). FYI: If an encyclopedia s call number begins with REF, it will be found on the 1 st Floor, West Wing. If its call number begins with a two-letter code, it will be found on whatever floor, wing, and shelf (or street and number ) contains the rest of the collection. if a volume s call number begins with A-E F-K L-Z it will be located on the 1 st Floor, East Wing 1 st Floor, West Wing 2 nd Floor, West Wing Other specialized reference works may include, for example: Subject-specific dictionaries (i.e., Dorland s Illustrated Medical Dictionary) Handbooks or manuals (i.e., Physicians Desk Reference) Textbooks (i.e., Gray s Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice) 3a. To obtain titles and call numbers of specialized encyclopedias, click the following link: http://libguides.byui.edu/content.php?pid=150744&sid=1279760. 5

Select the tab for the subject most closely associated with your topic. The displayed page will offer links to suggested specialized encyclopedias related to it. 3b. To access even more encyclopedias, from the Library s homepage select the Dict/Ency tab and click on the logo for Gale Virtual Reference or Oxford Reference Type in your search terms and see what potential specialized encyclopedias come up. As you read specialized encyclopedia articles you ll likely find the following: More detailed background information More specific sub-categories Additional terms, authorities, and bibliographies Note: Unlike general encyclopedias, you can actually quote from specialized/subject encyclopedias in a college-level paper, so you ll likely want to spend more time in these collections. List the titles of two articles you read from specialized encyclopedias. Include the names of their authors (with credentials, if provided), the name of the encyclopedia, the article s inclusive pages, and its publication information. Title: History of Latter-day Saint Temples from 1831-1990 Author: Richard O. Cowan, Professor of Church History, BYU Encyclopedia: Encyclopedia of Mormonism (Daniel H. Ludlow, editor) Pages: 1450-1455 Publication Information: New York: Macmillan Publishing Company, 1992 Title: Author: Encyclopedia: Pages: Publication Information: Title: Author: EXAMPLE 6

Encyclopedia: Pages: Publication Information: Forming Your Issue Question 4. Narrow Your Topic & Articulate Your Issue Question. After reading several general and specialized encyclopedia articles, you should now be familiar with various aspects of your topic. You re now ready to narrow the scope of your research and to create an issue question the question your research will seek to answer via a persuasive/argumentative paper. By definition, persuasive/ argumentative writing: Seeks to convince a reader about a matter of opinion, or argues a position. Aims to change the reader s mind, or at least bring it closer to the writer s. Deals with the debatable subjects for which there is more than one side (multifaceted). States opinions and offers evidence for them. Is found in editorials, reviews, sermons, proposals, and opinion essays. Consider narrowing your topic by limiting its scope geographically, chronologically, culturally, by cause/effect, etc. The following is an example of how a broad topic may be narrowed: Dogs Pit Bulls Ownership Challenges Bites Injuries & Fatalities Convincing evidence: Pit bulls account for almost half of all fatal dog bites in the U.S. Possible issue question: Should it be illegal to own a pit bull? State two possible issue questions: 1. 2. Finding Research Material With a specific research focus in mind and a list of relevant keywords in hand, you ll next locate books, articles, and Internet sources to use in the actual composition of your research paper. 5. Find Books. The McKay library owns about 200,000 books. If you ve already acquired a call number relevant to your topic, consult the library maps below to locate its general neighborhood. You may then go to that area to browse specific book collections. 7

1 st Floor, East Wing é 2 nd Floor, West Wing ê 5a. Another option is to use the online library catalog. From the Library s homepage, select the icon labeled Library Catalog. 8

This screen offers several ways to search the Library s holdings. While you have the option of searching by author or title, in the absence of such information it s usually best to perform general keyword or subject keyword searches using relevant terms you ve already gathered from the LCSH. As you enter keywords, try combining them in order to identify specific materials more quickly. Note: Remember to either write down or print out bibliographic information about each desired title including the call number so that you ll be able to locate it. Although some books you find might be too broad, you still may be able to use a chapter or two. One efficient way to determine a book s potential usefulness is to scan its index for your keywords. If you need more sources, consult bibliographies at the end of books or their chapters. 5b. The Library also offers access to more than 330,000 e-books (electronic books, or books in electronic form). These may be accessed from the Library s homepage; scroll down a bit and you ll find a banner entitled E-Book Collections. List two books related to your topic. Include their complete titles (title: subtitle), authors names (with credentials), publication information, and call numbers. Title: Owning the Right Dog Author/Credentials: Phil Maggitti Publication Information: Blacksburg, VA: Tetra Press, 1993 Call #: SF425.M333 Title: Author/Credentials: Publication Information: Call #: Title: Author/Credentials: Publication Information: Call #: EXAMPLE 6. Find Periodical Articles. By definition, a periodical is a publication issued on a regular basis. Examples include newspapers (daily or weekly), magazines (weekly or monthly), and journals (quarterly, semi-annually, etc.). The Library subscribes to nearly 100,000 titles referenced in about 325 online databases. Computerized periodical indexes such as EBSCO, JSTOR, and ProQuest reference thousands of periodical articles. To access them, from the Library s homepage, select the Articles/News tab: 9

Sometimes these databases will provide the entire article (or full text ); otherwise they ll provide only bibliographic information (called a citation) and perhaps a summary (called an abstract, identifiable online by this symbol: ). Select those indexes most likely to offer sources relevant to your topic, and then enter your keywords in their search boxes. For researching various topics, the Library subscribes to three particularly useful databases: Name of Database Description Features Provides full text for nearly 4,600 publications, including nearly 3,500 (scholarly) peer-reviewed journals. Abstracts of Articles Available Full-Text Articles Available Remote Access Available (i.e., you can access this database from off-campus) Online Tutorial Available Name of Database Description Features Back issues of over 1000 scholarly, peer-reviewed journals. Coverage is from the first issue to 3-5 years prior to the current year. Full-Text Articles Available Remote Access Available (i.e., you can access this database from off-campus) Online Tutorial Available Name of Database Description Features Index to 4,000+ periodicals, many full-text. Abstracts of Articles Available Full-Text Articles Available Remote Access Available (i.e., you can access this database from off-campus) Online Tutorial Available For researching issues, try these databases: Name of Database Helpful Hint Description Features The entire Opposing Viewpoints series is available in hard-copy format in the Library Commons, Room 140, 1 st Floor, West Wing. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center draws on the acclaimed social issues series published by Greenhaven Press, as well as core reference content from other Gale and Macmillan Reference USA sources to provide a complete one-stop source for information on social issues. Abstracts of Articles Available Full-Text Articles Available Remote Access Available (i.e., you can access this database from off-campus) Online Tutorial Available 10

Name of Database Description Features CQ Researcher reports on a current social issue each week. Reports provide: background information, important points to consider, charts & graphs, a source list for further reading. Frequently covered topics include public policy, public opinion, economics, education, environment, government & law. Full-Text Articles Available Remote Access Available Online Tutorial Available Name of Database Description Features Full-text articles on arts, humanities, government & general research. Full-Text Articles Available Remote Access Available Sift through listed titles to find articles (or article citations) pertinent to your issue question. Take a moment to read articles abstracts, which will help you in carefully evaluating possible choices. Select relevant entries. Print, download, or e-mail articles and/or their citations to read and reference later. A comprehensive list of periodical databases can be viewed from the Library s homepage by selecting the All A-Z tab. A new page will appear, listing alphabetically all computerized periodical indexes to which the Library subscribes: 11

If your desired periodical isn t part of the Library s subscription, the Inter-Library Loan Office located at the Circulation Desk can usually get it for you. To place an order, from the Library s homepage, select Interlibrary Loan in the Toolbox (see red arrow above). Using two different periodical indexes, list two articles directly related to your topic. Include their complete titles (titles: subtitles), authors names (with credentials), periodical title, and publication data (volume/issue numbers, date of publication, and inclusive pages). EXAMPLE Periodical Database: Ebsco Article Title: Scapegoats and Underdogs: The Pit Bull Dilemma Author/Credentials: Ariana Huemer, Washington, D.C.-based activist, legislative correspondent Periodical Title: Animals Agenda Publication Data: Jul./Aug. 2000, pp. 30-37 Periodical Database: Article Title: Author/Credentials: Periodical Title: Publication Data: Periodical Database: Article Title: Author/Credentials: Periodical Title: Publication Data: 7. Find Internet Sources. In addition to encyclopedia articles, scholarly books, and periodical articles selected from the Library s collections, you may find relevant research materials on the Internet. In addition to Google, there are several other search engines, each designed slightly differently and leading users to different sites. Since each browser accesses only a fraction of the entire Internet, consider using several of them in order to perform a wider, more thorough search. Some additional popular browsers include: www.ask.com www.bing.com Metasearch engines which employ several search engines simultaneously include: www.dogpile.com For more scholarly information, you may also want to try: www.ipl.org scholar.google.com 12

infomine.ucr.edu Since the Internet is so vast, it s helpful to limit the number of results by being more specific with your search terms. Boolean operands specifically the words AND, OR and NOT may be used to arrange keywords in a search string (or search statement) in order to narrow or expand your search. Note, too, that several operands may be employed in a single string: Operand Research Interest Sample Search String AND teaching children another language teach AND children AND second AND language OR college entrance exams college OR university AND SAT OR ACT NOT John Calvin Calvin NOT Hobbes (excludes cartoon character) You may wish to shorten (or truncate) keywords by adding a truncation symbol to the end of word roots (most often an asterisk *). The browser will then look for all possible word variations. Keyword #1 Keyword #2 Keyword #3 Example: relax* Example: therap* Example: phobi* (captures relax, relaxing, relaxation, etc.) (captures therapy, therapies, therapeutic, etc.) (captures phobia, phobias, phobic, etc.) Phrase searches may be conducted by placing double quotation marks around a particular construction. Furthermore, like certain algebraic equations, parentheses isolate functions in this case strings within strings. Research Interest rogue nations threat to U.S. national security Sample Search String rogue nations AND national security AND (U.S. OR American) List some of the search strings you used containing phrases and truncated keywords: String #1 String #2 String #3 As you review Internet sources, you may find valuable clues in the Internet address (or URL). Threeletter abbreviations concluding the URL can alert you to the type of organization responsible for a certain site in turn, helping you determine source credibility. Informational resources are those sponsored by educational institutions or governmental agencies. These resources often include.edu or.gov within the address. Example: www.yale.edu or www.cia.gov. Advocacy resources are those sponsored by organizations wishing to promote ideas or influence public opinion. These resources often include.org within the address. Example: www.mormon.org or www.petadoptions.org. Business resources are those sponsored by commercial entities trying to sell products or services. These resources often include.com within the address. Example: www.olivegarden.com or www.hersheys.com. Personal resources are those which have been written, compiled, and/or published by individuals or groups who may or may not be affiliated with a larger institution. These pages often represent the views of that individual or group alone. Addresses vary but frequently include a tilde (~). 13

Using two different browsers, list two articles directly related to your topic. Include their complete titles, author s or sponsor s names, and publication data (dates of publication/update/access, complete URLs). Article Title: Fatal Dog Attacks, 1989-1994 Author/Sponsor: Jeffrey J. Sacks MD, MPH/American Academy of Pediatrics Website Last Updated: 2011 Website Last Accessed: September 15, 2012 URL: pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/97/6/891 Article Title: Author/Sponsor: Website Last Updated: Website Last Accessed: URL: Article Title: Author/Sponsor: Website Last Updated: Website Last Accessed: URL: EXAMPLE Evaluating Internet Sources Once you find a manageable number of potential sources, you face the challenge of determining which sources to actually incorporate into your paper. Generally, information found on the Internet isn t considered as reliable as information found in books, magazines, journals, or other printed sources. Steep printing costs and editing/reviewing processes have kept printed sources limited to a relatively small group of people and organizations. Yet almost anyone can publish a webpage, so there are few of the traditional filters in place for Internet publication. Therefore, you are responsible for assessing not only the utility of your paper s source materials, but their propriety as well. Before using information from a website, ask yourself what you know about the authors, the information on the website, the sponsor of the website, and the website itself. Assess sources using the following criteria: Evaluating the Authors Who are the authors of the information? What is their background? Where did they get their knowledge? Are they recognized by others as authorities on the subject? Have they published on this subject elsewhere (books, magazine or journal articles, etc.)? What is their purpose in providing this information? Do they (or their affiliated organizations) have a bias or appear to promote some hidden agenda? Evaluating the Information Is this the original source of the information? Is material quoted responsibly from other sources? Does the information seem to be accurate, reliable, fair, and valid? Is the information balanced and objective or is it one-sided, incomplete, or biased? How does the information compare with other, related sources? Who is the intended audience? Evaluating the Sponsor 14

What person or organization sponsors the website? Does the sponsor have a bias or other purpose in presenting this information? Be aware that website authors or sponsors can easily purchase and name their own websites. Paid subscription websites (like Encyclopedia Britannica or ProQuest) typically have paid money to verify the accuracy of information on their websites (that s why they charge to access them). Look for URL components like ~johnson or /users/jones in the address, which indicates that it is likely someone s personal website/page. Evaluating the Website When was the website last updated? How often is it updated? Is the website sponsored by an enduring, reputable, professional organization? Are links to other websites on the same topic provided? Are internal links live or dead? Are internal citations properly documented? Does the website provide a counter to show how often it has been accessed by others? Do other websites link to this one? Is an e-mail address or link provided so you can contact the author or sponsor? Is the website well-organized, attractively formatted, and professional in its presentation? Website awards may indicate that others view the content as being reliable (still, be aware that many awards may be fairly meaningless). (Adapted from http://abish.byui.edu/library/nhtw_researchhelp.cfm?tab=btn2&menu=submenu1) Now that you ve compiled reference articles, books (or book chapters), periodical articles, and Internet sources relating to your specific topic, use this information to begin drafting your paper. As you research and write, anticipate several subsequent revisions to your drafts. Finally, remember to carefully document your research to avoid any hint of plagiarism passing off as one s own the ideas or writings of another, whether intentional or accidental. Plagiarism is averted by adhering to strict documentation guidelines, devised and published by professional organizations such as the Modern Language Association (M.L.A.) and the American Psychological Association (A.P.A.). Helpful websites on documentation include: Purdue University s Online Writing Lab M.L.A. Guide M.L.A. Style Crib Sheet Purdue University s Online Writing Lab A.P.A. Guide A.P.A. Style Crib Sheet https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/ http://www.docstyles.com/mlalite.htm https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/ http://www.docstyles.com/apalite.htm Please direct comments and suggestions to William Brugger, English Department, BYU I (bruggerw@byui.edu) 15