The Research process & evaluating materials

The Research process & evaluating ResourcesArt 445: filmmakingJanuary 29th @ 2:00 pm

Jennifer Laski, Librarianjclaski@ecsu.edu

Class ObjectivesResearching for ART 445Research ProcessEvaluating Resources

Research ProcessChoosing a TopicCrafting KeywordsEvaluating ResourcesAcademic SourcesOnline ResourcesResearching for Art 445DatabasesOnline Resources2

Research ProcessWhere do you start?

Research ProcessDevelop your research questionFind Background information & keywordsDetermine the best place to start your searchBegin your researchReevaluate your searchEvaluate your search resultsProduce your final product

Research Process : Step 1Developing your research topic:Consider your instructors directionsIf the topic is open:Choose a topic that interests youBe creativeNot too board

If you can state your topic in 2-3 words, it is probably too broad.5

Research Process : Step 1Narrowing down your topicLimit the time periodFocus on a geographic location (country, region, state, etc.)Subject specific context (artistic period, specialty area, etc.)

Research Process : Step 1 ExampleWar & FilmHistory: Depictions of war in film over timeCultural Context: Depictions of African American soldiers in filmGeographic/History: Czech films about the period of Soviet control

How do the depictions of soviet control differ in films produced by Czech filmmakers versus those of American filmmakers?

Research Process : Step 1Brainstorm

Research Process : Step 2

Background InformationKeywordsHow do the depictions of soviet control differ in films produced by Czech filmmakers versus those of American filmmakers? FilmCzechSovietMovieCzech RepublicRussianMotion PictureCzechoslovakiaCommunistCinemaEastern BlockTotalitarian

Determining Where to Start? - BrainstormingWhat kinds of sources do you need?

Research Process: Step 3 & 4

Video created by Kimbel Library. https://vimeo.com/13186317

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Research Process : Step 3 & 4Library WebsiteResearch DatabasesOnline SourcesLibrary BooksScholarly ArticlesWebpagesPeriodicalseBooksArticlesResearch AssistanceSteaming VideoIndustry Information

Use your keywords to search in appropriate places.Combine keywords with Boolean Operators.

AND

OROR

NOT

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Research Process: Step 5Research is difficult keep working!Make note of everywhere you receive informationNot finding what you need? Reevaluate your search!

Need more help? Set up an appointment with one of the campus librarians!

Research Process: Step 6Evaluating Information: Why it matters!

Good resources make your paper betterEnsures accurate informationHelps you to research more efficientlyIncrease YOUR credibility

Research Process: Step 6

C A B L Eurrency

uthority

ias

evel

xplore

Currency: When was the page created? As best as you can tell, is the information up to date? Are links from this site to other sites still active?

Authority: Who is the author for each page? Are the credentials of the author listed? What is the domain name for the site and why is that relevant?

Bias: What is the purpose of the site? Is there a position/opinion presented? What is it? Does this site link to any other sites? If yes, which ones?

Level: Is this site popular or scholarly in nature? Do you feel comfortable citing this page in a college-level assignment? Why or why not?

Explore: Verify the information from the page in one additional source and list the source. Can you find reviews, criticism, or a ranking for this site? Does this site lead you to any other good sites? If so, list one or two.15