FSC 406Library Resources

Linda Galloway

Syracuse University Library Spring 2012

What we’re going to do today…

• Talk about topics, keywords and finding information

• Learn how to find books @ SU Library –both print and electronic books.

• Learn how to use scientific databases to locate scholarly journal articles

• Understand how & why to use the legal/news resource Lexis-Nexis

Poll Results

• http://www.polleverywhere.com/multiple_choice_polls/LTEyNTkxOTk2Mjk

Start with your research assignment…

• Develop a research topic by:– Evaluating topic– Background reading/ review literature– Developing a list of search terms– Writing a clarifying paragraph

Choose a topic you are interested in.

Carefully define and develop your topic.

A well defined topic is easier to search.

Do you always get to choose your topic???

Developing your Topic

1. Choose a topic that interests you.

2. Evaluate your topic.

3. Get a working knowledge of your topic. (develop keyword list)

4. Identify controversies or questions.

5. Develop your research question.

6. Write your clarifying paragraph.

Let’s develop our topic1. Choose a topic that interests you (Criminal profiling)

2. Evaluate your topic (Too broad or narrow?)

3. Get a working knowledge of your topic. (develop keyword list) (How to do this??)

4. Identify controversies or questions (Background reading)

5. Develop your research question (Why?)

6. Write your clarifying paragraph (Or introduction, or abstract)

Offender profiling, also known as criminal profiling, is a behavioral and investigative tool that is intended to help investigators to profile unknown

criminal subjects or offenders. Offender profiling is also known as criminal profiling, criminal personality profiling, criminological profiling, behavioral profiling or criminal investigative analysis. Geographic profiling is another method to profile an offender. Television shows such as Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Profiler in the 1990s, the 2005 television series Criminal Minds, the 2011 television series Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior, and the 1991 film The Silence of the Lambs have lent many names to what the FBI calls "criminal investigative analysis.“

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offender_profiling#Controversies

http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/document.php?id=cqresrre2009071700&type=hitlist&num=0

Determine what you need:

• Book – • Article

– General – Peer-reviewed, scientific

• Background information

Think before you search

Finding Books

Electronic Book

In print: HV8073 .H77 2010

In print: QA276 .A264 2010

http://library.syr.edu

http://library.syr.edu

bloodstain

Keyword (default) search

Narrow (make more specific) by choosing facets on the left side of the screen.

eBooks in Forensics

http://researchguides.library.syr.edu/forensic

Check this box – will access our subscription only

Finding Articles

http://researchguides.library.syr.edu/forensic

Databases!Do you have your own

database?

•Cell phone address book•Online article collection

Use these links OR this tab to accessarticle collections…

ScienceDirect

When searching databases…

Remember: RATS

• Synonyms• Subjects• Suggested topics• Types of materials

– Scholarly Journals, Magazines, etc.

Read All The Screens!

Recognize the difference between a magazine and a

journal…..

Peer review: suitability for publication credibility quality control

Primary Sources& Peer Review

Primary Source - Original document containing firsthand information– Diaries, interviews– Original research including journal articles

and preprints

A peer reviewed primary source is a work that is evaluated by experts in the field of study prior to publication. Serves as a measure of quality.

SpringerLink

One good article can lead you to….

Legal & News Resources

Web Resources

Final tips…

Before you begin your research…

• Define your topic• Gain a working knowledge of your topic –

background info, keywords, controversies • Write your abstract/introduction AND your

outline• Make sure you know what you are looking

for• Find books in the….• Find articles in the….

Is Google Scholar OK to use??

http://researchguides.library.syr.edu/forensic

Questions???