Effective College

Level Research

Robin Pachtman, MLSAnnandale Campus Library

Welcome!

• What the library has to offer

• Access to library research tools

• Explore the use of databases

• Evaluate and cite sources

What types of services or resources can you find in the library?

Can you think of any yourself before you go to the next page?

Library Vocabulary

• Circulation: Desk to check out/return borrowed items

• Reference: Quick facts; encyclopedias & dictionaries

• Reserves: Class texts, DVDs for short term use• Periodicals: Magazines & Journals• Call number: Identifies the location of item• Catalog and Databases: Locates library resources

Resources and ServicesServices:• Circulation Desk• Information Desk• Online 24 hr chat

Collection:Circulating Collection

• Career Collection• A/V Collection• Periodicals• ESOL• Reserves

Reference Collection• Encyclopedias,

Dictionaries

Facilities & Equipment• Instruction Room• Multimedia Room• Group Study Rooms • Computers/Laptops, Tablets• NOVAcard Machine ($$$) • Copiers, Printers, Scanners• TVs, DVD players

GV839.5 .B35 2007 Go Surf

Call Numbers• White label – bottom

of book spine

• Identifies where the item is located on the shelf

Shelf Location• Signs on the side of each

stack indicate which call numbers are located within that shelf stack in the library

• Call numbers are shelved in alphabetical order, followed by the number.

Research Skills

Library Tools Life Skills

What do you search for on the internet?

Research SkillsUse Library Tools Life Skills

What do you search for on the internet?

Restaurants, shopping, places to live, addresses, etc.

Library Webpage

www.nvcc.edu/library• Use those same techniques for your research• Develop key words Ex. What are the risks for teenagers driving

while texting?Keywords: Teenagers, Driving, Texting

Research Process

1. Define your research topic2. Access your information from library

resources3. Evaluate the information; is it credible?4. Organize the information into a coherent

form 5. Give credit to your sources

Tools and resources (Right tool for the job)

Search EnginesPublicly available web resources GoogleAnyoneFree

Databases (News, Research, Reference)Secure sites (Not accessible via search engines)Articles in Journals, Magazines and NewspapersExperts$$$$ - Your TuitionVery organized; all results in standard formatLess likely to get false information

Library Webpage

www.nvcc.edu/libraryBookArticles

Subject Databases, ReferenceResearch Guides

General Subject Resources and Class

How reliable is Google?

Google has your profile!

• Different people get different results

How reliable is Google?Google has your profile!

• Different people can search for the same

terms but get different results!

Developing Search Terms

• Not conversational English

• Key words or phrases

• Synonyms, Related terms

• Think about

general vs. specific terms

broad vs. Narrow

• Use database subject terms/thesaurus

Review, Revise and RepeatSearch Terms:

• General Topic–Too many results–Add more information & related terms

• Narrower/Specific Topic–More focused and relevant results

• Try other Databases

ExamplesBroad Narrow

Synonyms or Related TermsChoose a Latin-American woman writer & discuss major influences in her life.

Writers Women Writers Latin-American Women Writers

Isabel Allende

What features does the Porsche offer?

Cars Sports Cars Porsche Porsche 911

What is a good recipe for brownies?

Food Desserts Cake Brownies

Time – When published?

Evaluating the web…Be Skeptical!

Currency

Relevance

Authority

Accuracy

Purpose

Topical – Is it really talking about your topic

Who – Does the person have credentials or is expert on subject?

What – Is it reliable or truthful?

Why – Is there a bias; is it for

entertainment or education?

*Adapted with permission from author: Sarah Blakeslee, California State University, Chico

Is it C.R.A.A.P?

Citation Resources from library page

Also help from Writing Center 4th fl. CG

Long Island University

• Always cite your sources!

• Be sure to use correct format for each different type of resource.

Need help? Have Questions?

Ask a Librarian; we are better than Google!

Robin Pachtman – 703-323-2328Reference – 703-323-3410

CG300