MPC Library Research Colloquium Part One Oct 2

MPC Library Research Colloquium Part One Oct 2 nd, 2012

Before we Start • Lets set up a Ref. Works account if you don’t already have one • Go to Ref. Works login • Click sign into a new Account • (Write down your password and save it for later if it is new)

Lets talk About Databases • A library database is an electronic catalog or index. • Library databases contain information about published items. • Library databases are searchable. Most library databases index articles from: • Journals/Magazines • Books • Newspapers

Basic Searching Techniques • Boolean Basic: AND OR NOT Lets look at: AND Result Includes both terms or multiple terms. Useful when needing to narrow a search to include for example: Toronto and internet and user

Basic Searching Techniques • Let’s Look at: OR Includes both Terms or all terms if search includes multiple terms USEFUL is you have a number of terms used to describe similar things “electronic OR digital OR on-line”

Basic Searching Techniques • Let’s Look at NOT • NOT excludes the term that you do not want • Useful when needing to eliminate a common usage like: • “Java programming” Try Java NOT coffee

More Advanced Boolean: NESTING • Combining AND OR NOT in a single search is called NESTING • You often need to help a database when combining multiple operators AND OR NOT • Let’s Look: • Use Parentheses • For best results always enclose your multiple OR operators in (Parentheses)

More Advanced Boolean: Wild. Card • If you want to hit all variations of a commonly used word you can use what is termed a wildcard at a particular truncation of a word • A wildcard symbol looks like this: * and sometimes !, ? , or # • For example: if you want to get social, society, socialization, try soci! This will get all spellings • OR anthropological, anthropology, anthopologist, try anthropolog*

More Advanced Boolean: Phrase • Quotation marks around a phrase or term that is linked together to give it meaning • Example: “social media” • (social and media) would give a much broader search result than the more specific “social media”

Keywords vs. Subjects Headings • Keywords are usually where we as searchers start • Keywords, and synonyms use words and phrases that describe our topic • Such as “social media” twitter “open access” internet “user generated content” canada

Keywords vs. Subjects Headings • Subject headings are terms that the database imposes upon the searcher • Subject headings are how the database organizes its information • You can find subject headings in various ways: Online thesaurus, specific article keywords and terms, database suggestions • For example “social media” may be “internet community” or “social networks” in a database

Let’s look Research Question #1 • What are the main characteristics of freedom of speech pertaining to technologically mediated communication? • Keywords “freedom of speech” communication mediated technology • 1) “freedom of speech” communicat* technolog* internet • http: //library. ryerson. ca/

Key Search Principle • Go from general to specific • If you start specific you may miss many articles on your topic • • Choose your databases wisely Academic Search Premier Communication and Mass Media Complete Proquest

Let’s Look at Research Question #2 • How do users of organizational social media use value frames when communicating their responses? • Keywords “social media” value communicating users organizations • 1) organization* social user* valu* internet OR “Social media” “user generated content” “organization*” Proquest

Let’s Look at Research Question #3 • Can a comparison between the shift from traditional print to digital media provide insight into current social and cultural patterns? • “shift” “traditional print” “digital media” “social patterns” “cultural patterns” • 1) Soci* “print media” “new media” • OR cultur* “print media” “new media”

Other Useful Services • • • Journal List search http: //library. ryerson. ca/ Search everything Services for Grad students Subject Librarian Appt service Virtual Reference ASK service Racer account

REFWorks • • • Write and Cite Bibilographies Abstract lists Catalogue importing Sharing research RSS feeds

Ref. Works Basics • Write and Cite while you work in word • Making a reference list (you were doing it as we clicked and added articles) • Adding References manually

Advanced Ref. Works • • Sharing folders Adding material from other catalogues RSS Feeds Editing records and adding Attachments

Wrap Up Questions? Stay for a lab Your subject librarian is Jay Wolofsky Remember the reference desk is open 10 -7 Monday - Thursday, 10 -5 Fridays, and 12 -5 on weekends. • Ask Reference is open 10 -10 Mon. Thursdays, 10 -5 Fridays, and 11 pm – 5 Pm Weekends • •