eng 102 choosing a topic
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ENG 102Session 1:
Introduction
TODAY’S OBJECTIVES
•By the end of today’s session you will be able to:
•Utilize the various services & materials available in the library
•Consult background sources to help in choosing & refining a topic
Announcing theScottsdale Community College Library
Research Award
Prizes for the best research paper/project by a current SCC student:
1st place $3002nd place $2003rd place $100
Submissions can be from courses taken during Summer 09, Fall 09, and Spring 10. Submission forms will be available starting October 21st. Submissions are due by 4:00 p.m. on April 26, 2010. More information including information about past winners is available at: http://library.scottsdalecc.edu/researchaward
Feelings about library research
• On your note card write down one word that describes how your last experience using the library was.
• Then write why you feel that way.• Write one question you have about the library.• Don’t put your name on the card. Pass them
in.
• Some slides will give you a chance to answer a question with your ResponseCard (“clicker”)
• Use only buttons 1/A through 0/J• Press a button once; the display on
your clicker will show your choice
• You can press a different button to change your answer as long as “polling: open” is displayed
Get ready to Click
Is this your first semester at SCC?
Yes N
o
0%0%
1. Yes2. No
Have you ever had a library instruction session here or somewhere else?
0%0%
1. Yes2. No
Which of the following services does the library NOT provide?
0% 0% 0%0%0%0%
1. Printing & copying2. Wireless internet3. Research assistance4. Tutoring5. Laptop checkouts6. Group study rooms
Which of the following does the library NOT provide access to?
0% 0%0%0%
1. All textbooks2. Electronic books3. Online journal
articles4. Movies
If you need research help from a librarian you can
Call the lib
rary
Use
chat
Come to th
e refere
nce desk
Any of t
he above
0% 0%0%0%
1. Call the library2. Use chat3. Come to the
reference desk4. Any of the above
In a college library, how are books arranged on the shelf?
Alphabetically
by auth
o...
Alphabetically
by title
By subject
By size
0% 0%0%0%
1. Alphabetically by author name
2. Alphabetically by title
3. By subject4. By size
Which tool is used to find books a library owns?
Periodica
l databas
e
Catalog
None of t
he above
0% 0%0%0%
1. Google2. Periodical database3. Catalog4. None of the above
TOPIC SELECTION
• Choose a topic you are truly interested in! (within the parameters of the assignment)
• Make sure you are neither– Too broad– Too narrow
Topic: Nuclear power. Is it…
Too broad
Too narrow
Just
right
0% 0%0%
1. Too broad2. Too narrow3. Just right
Topic: The use of tasers by police to apprehend suspects. Is it…
Too broad
Too narrow
Just
right
0% 0%0%
1. Too broad2. Too narrow3. Just right
Topic: What is the effect of cigarette advertising on anorexic
teenage girls? Is it..
0% 0%0%
1. Too broad2. Too narrow3. Just right
STRATEGIES FOR CHOOSING A TOPIC
• Brainstorm about what interests you
• Get ideas for topics from:– CQ Researcher & Opposing Viewpoints– Specialized encyclopedias– Reputable websites
CQ RESEARCHER & OPPOSING VIEWPOINTS
• CQ Researcher-comprehensive, balanced reports on a variety of controversial or current topics/issues
• Opposing Viewpoints-articles & essays on a variety of controversial or current topics
• Use both to get ideas for topics
Off Campus Login
SPECIALIZED ENCYCLOPEDIAS
• Good place to start if you don’t know very much about a topic.
• http://tinyurl.com/ydueqo7
REPUTABLE WEBSITES
• What makes a website reputable or trusthworthy?
EVALUATING WEBSITES
CRITERIA DESCRIPTION
AUTHORITYIs the author stated? Does he/she have the necessary education or experience on the subject? Is the page part of an individual's site or part of an organization's site? If an organization, is it reputable? Is contact information available?
ACCURACYIs the site free of obvious errors? Does the author give proper attribution to borrowed information or knowledge?
OBJECTIVITYDoes the author have a bias, taking a position on an issue, or giving only one side of the story? Is the site designed to promote or sell a service or product? What's the purpose of the site? To what audience is the author writing?
CONTENTDoes this website contain the kind of information that I need? Does the site offer something unique that is not found elsewhere? Is the subject well-researched and covered comprehensively? Is the information well organized?
CURRENCYDoes the web page show when it was last updated? Is the information up-to-date? How current are the links? Have some expired or moved?
IS WIKIPEDIA REPUTABLE?
ADVANCED GOOGLE SEARCHING
OTHER RESOURCES FOR TOPIC SELECTION
• http://library.weber.edu/ref/guides/howto/topicselection.cfm
• http://www.pcc.edu/library/research/how_select_topic.html
• http://www.stonybrook.edu/library/tutorial/mod1/index.shtml
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