health 239

Health 239Drug Cultures and Drug WarsFall Term 2003

Identify the Types of Materials for Your ResearchBooksGovernment documentsStatisticsJournal articlesNewspaper articlesInternet resources

What is Your Research Strategy?Consider these questions before proceeding:What dates of materials should you consider?How will you identify which index to search?Which keywords will you use?How will you evaluate what you find?

http://library.queensu.ca

Search for BooksClick library catalogue (QCAT) for books, journal or newspaper subscription titles and government documents.

Keyword SearchKeyword searches allow you to search QCAT using a single word or a combination of words that you consider to be the main focus.

Keyword Search

Use and to combine search terms and narrow results.

Use quotations for phrases.

Boolean Logicviolence and crimeAND

war on drugs and united states

war on drugs and united states

Keyword Search

Use or to expand search results.

Use ? for plural forms and variant word endings.

Boolean Logic ORviolence OR crime

(drug? or marijuana) and legalization

(drug? or marijuana) and legalization

Explore Subject Headings

Subject Heading = drug legalization

Subject Heading = drug legalization

Journal IndexesJournal indexes and databases contain references to journal and newspaper articles.

Indexes can be subject-specific for in-depth research or can be of a general nature.

Journal IndexesYou will find most of your references in electronic indexes.

These are best searched using keywords. Apply the same keyword strategies as you would when searching for books.

How to Select a Journal IndexClick on Indexes and Databases on the library homepage.

Under Subject Area, click your area.

Once you know the name of the database, enter via the alphabetical list.

Relevant DatabasesAmerica History and Life

Canadian Business and Current Affairs (CBCA) Fulltext Reference

Canadian Newsstand

Databases ContinuedCanadian Research IndexJSTORLEXIS/NEXISMedline

Databases ContinuedNew York Times (Full-Text, 1851-1999) PAIS InternationalReaders Guide AbstractsWeb of Science

Search Example using PAIS

Search Results

Does Queens Have the Journal You Need?To find out if Queens has the journal, click on Check to see if Queens Library has this item.

This searches QCAT to see if we subscribe to the journal.

If we hold this title, the location for the print volume and/or link to the electronic copy is provided.

Search Example using Canadian Newsstand

Search Results

Full Text

Points to RememberIdentify key words.

Check which operators to use. Do phrases need quotations? Is a * used for different word endings or is it ?. Do words need to be connected with and?

Points to RememberLook for subject headings or descriptors in a useful record for more keyword ideas.

Do not search QCAT by journal author or article title. Only journal title is in QCAT.

http://library.queensu.ca/reference/journals.htm

Searching the InternetThere are no uniform standards on the Internet. Always evaluate the accuracy and quality of the information you find on the Internet.

Always use the Advanced search capabilities of a search engine for research topics.

Use Google Advanced Search

Evaluate Your InformationEvaluation Criteria

Is it a popular or scholarly article?What is the date of publication? What are the authors qualifications?Why did the author write the article/book?

Evaluate Your InformationHow was the information obtained?Is the information fact, opinion or propaganda?Are the authors conclusions or facts supported with references?Are there footnotes or a bibliography?

Citation and Style GuidesFor assistance go to:

http://library.queensu.ca/libguides/citationguides.htm

Any Questions?Please Contact:Michele [email protected] OrNathalie [email protected]