gary handman ghandman@library.berkeley 643-8566

Gary Handmanghandman@library.berkeley.edu643-8566

Doing Research Online: A Crash Course

1. Describes organization of library information

2. Introduce selected online sources for finding books and journaljournal articlesarticles.

3. Introduce a group of basic moves and features common to many online catalogs and indexes.

The (Library)The (Library)Information UniverseInformation Universe

•BooksBooks•Journals (Magazines) & Journals (Magazines) &

Newspapers Newspapers •Government docsGovernment docs

•MapsMaps•Media (video, sound Media (video, sound

recording, etc.)recording, etc.)•Computer files (e.g. CD-Computer files (e.g. CD-

ROMS)ROMS)•Online Resources Online Resources

DissertationsDissertations•ManuscriptsManuscripts•EphemeraEphemera

I’d rather beDoing research!

The Information Universe

The Top 10 Reasons for Using a Book…or a Journal Article…

The Information Universe

But how do you find this stuff? (along with a cute, available guy?)

The Information Universe

Library Catalog(s)

Journal/NewspaperIndexes

Inventory of what the Inventory of what the Library owns:Library owns:BooksBooksJournals (Journals (BUT NOT what’s BUT NOT what’s inside of them!!!!!!inside of them!!!!!!) )

Library CatalogsLibrary Catalogs

Search by:Search by:•AuthorAuthor•TitleTitle•Subject (keywords)Subject (keywords)

MediaMediaManuscripts, documents, Manuscripts, documents, maps…etc. etc. etc. etc.)maps…etc. etc. etc. etc.)

Pathfinder and Melvyl

Vito Acconci

The Information Universe: Books Film at wit's end : eight avant-garde filmmakers / <1989>

Author: Brakhage, Stan. Published: Kingston, NY : Documentext, 1989.Location(s): MAIN: PN1995.9.E96 B741 1989; MOFF: PN1995.9.E96 B74 1989

Description183 p., [16] p. plates : ill., ports. ; 24 cm. NotesIncludes index. Filmography: p. 171-177.

Subject HeadingsExperimental films -- United States. Motion picture producers and directors -- United States -- Biography. 

Call #(It really does mean something!)

The Information Universe: Finding ArticlesArticle Databases (Indexes/Abstracts)

• Databases produced by different commercial publishers; often look/act differently from one another.

• Regularly updated

• Allow subject/author searching in a group of journals in a particular discipline or topical area.

• Some indexes also offer abstracts AND/OR FULLLLL FULLLLL TEXXXXT!TEXXXXT!

I know! I’lldo my paper onMarilyn Manson!

Choosing an Articles database (index)Choosing an Articles database (index)

•Look at the listings of article databases available via the library www.lib.berkeley.edu: includes listings by SUBJECT, NAME, etc.

•General Databases are often good places to start (particularly for newsy/topical issues)

All databases are not created equal (or by the same company)…All databases are not created equal (or by the same company)…

All databases are not created equal (or by the same company)…All databases are not created equal (or by the same company)…

The Information Universe (Now)

But Remember: Not everything is online!!!!!:

•Article Databases: Generally only go back 10-20 yrs online (some exceptions – e.g. Historical Newspapers)

•Not every journal is indexed (but most major ones are)

•Fairly small (but rapidly growing) subset of the books and journal universe is currently available in full-text

Online is Cool

The Information Universe

Remember Also:

•Not every topic has lots written about it, either in books or journal lit.

--Research on very current topics

--Research on radically specific topics

--Research on topics off the beaten academic track or off the current pop culture radar

How to Begin? Before you click: THINK

•Formulate a concise, concrete statement of

the research problem•Formulate your search in terms of

keywords and key phrases:

The impact of television advertising and television violence on school performance and pre-adolesecent social interaction.

How to Begin? Before you click: THINK

•Think of synonyms for key words/phrases

The impact of television advertising and television violence on school performance and pre-adolesecent social interaction.

ChildrenYouthAdolescents…etc.

CommercialsAds…etc.Academic achievement

Grades…etc.

MediaTV…etc

Socialization, relationships,peer interaction…etc.

The Information Universe

What to do if nothing is turning up:

•Tweak your topic: Broaden it / select a different angle•Rethink your search strategy (new keywords, new concepts, etc.)•Bail out completely and choose another topic

A few cautionary words about research on the Net

LibraryLand

The NetGoogle Rocks!

Google Scholar?www.scholar.google.comMaybe…

Common Search Features:

--Save list of good stuff--Mail Articles/Citations to yourself

Connecting from off-campus

www.lib.berkeley.edu HELP: Connecting from Off Campus

…being driven over the edge by your research?

Call me:Gary Handman

643-8566

ghandman@library.berkeley.edu