An Adventure in ResearchUsing Beaman Library

Services and ResourcesSpring 2010

Beaman Library is your starting point for research

Research materials at your fingertips!

Computers for your convenience!

Study Rooms available to study by yourself or for a group to gather!

Our Library Staff is here for you!

Catacomb—Your Beaman Library Homepage

• Access the library catalog & our electronic databases from any computer

• Ask a Reference Question??? Links you with a librarian for all of your questions

• Find out information about the library or read the latest library newsletter

The Research Process

The research process requires a knowledge of

The locations of information resources How information resources are

organized The tools needed for accessing

information regardless of its format The criteria for evaluating

information retrieved

Information Resources in Beaman Library - Organization

Library of Congress Classification System (LB 2806 .R38)—Read the call number alphabetically and numerically. Any number after the decimal point is treated like a decimal number.

Designators (Ref, Oversize, Buffington…)—Gives you a clue as to where these books are physically located in library. They are special sections unto themselves.

Local Collections (Special Collections, Restoration Collection…)

Information Resources in Beaman Library – access tools

Books

Articles (print & electronic)-Scholarly journal articles-Popular magazine articles-Newspaper articles

Websites

Books!

• Reference Books:-use in library only

• General Collection:-check out for 3 weeks for undergrads.

• eBooks:-access and read online. You must create your own username and password at netlibrary.com from a Lipscomb computer and then you can access them from anywhere.

To find a Book…

Use…The online catalog• Author Search• Title Search• Subject Search—very specific

only searches subject line (which are Library of Congress approved subject headings)

• Keyword Search--searches all lines in the record except for Subjects.

http://library.lipscomb.edu

Articles!

• Scholarly journals-aka “refereed”, “peer-reviewed”, “academic”-articles reviewed and accepted by experts in the field

• Magazines, popular and trade journals-Booklist, Southern Living, GQ

• Newspapers-The Tennessean, Wall Street Journal

To find an Article…Searching

• Search in a print indexOR

• Use one of the databases from the library’s “Electronic Resources” page--On- and off-campus access

• Don’t look for articles in the Catalog!

Periodical Indexes- Location

Periodical indexes are located on the main floor, east wing of Beaman Library.

Periodical Indexes In Print -Subject and general: access tools

• Provides citations to articles in magazines, journals, and newspapers• Remember: citations only - no full-text

• Examples of subject indexes• General Science Index• Social Sciences Index • Education Index

• Example of general index• Readers Guide to Periodical Literature

Periodical Index Citations – Subject examples

Social Sciences Index

Soc Forces =Social Forces

To find an Article…Searching

• Search in a print indexOR

• Use one of the databases from the library’s “Electronic Resources” page--On- and off-campus access

• Don’t look for articles in CATACOMB!

To find an Article…Sorting

• Citation: gives you the information you need to track down the work

• Abstract: summary of article + citation

• Full Text: complete text of article + citation

To find an Article…Locating

• Found sources in a print index or database? Now, how do you find them?

Locating article…pt. 1

• If the source located was cited in a database…• Check to see if full-text is available

Locating article…pt. 2

• If the source located was cited in a print index or full-text was not available in a database…• Check the journal title in the Catalog by

doing a Title Search to see if Beaman has the journal in print

Locating articles…pt. 3

• If the source is not available in print in Beaman Library or full-text via database…• Check other local libraries (in WorldCat or

Athena) to see if they have the journal in print

• Request the article through Interlibrary Loan (Allow 2 weeks)

Periodicals - Location

Current (2010) magazines and journals are arranged alphabetically on open shelves for easy browsing.

Periodicals - Location

Bound periodicals are arranged alphabetically and chronologically.

Periodicals - Location

Some periodicals are kept on microfilm or microfiche.

Electronic/ Online Resources: Types

• General

• Subject specific

• Government

• Military

• Commercial

• Education

Databases

Tennessee Electronic Library

• Academic OneFile• Expanded Academic• Science Database• PowerSearch

Databases

Also try…

• America: History and Life• Biography Resource Center• Business Source Premier• EBSCOhost• Facts on File• LearningExpress Library (for practice

tests and Entrance Exams)• LexisNexis

Search engines

search specifically for scholarly literature: peer-reviewed papers

theses books preprints abstracts technical reports

arranges search results by relevancy

http://scholar.google.com/

Search engines

http://infomine.ucr.edu/

… a virtual library of Internet resources relevant to faculty, students, and research staff at the university level.

electronic journals electronic booksbulletin boards databasesarticles

Evaluating Information

from monographs [books]

from periodicals

from databases

Evaluating books

• A recognized author• Timely content• Documentation• Physical appearance

Evaluating Journal Articles

Scholarly Journal Characteristics

Written for scholars or researchers in a specialized field (medicine, psychology, education)

Evaluating Journal Articles

• found in specialized (subject) indexes [Social Sciences Index]

usually published quarterly or monthly

• mostly print • graphs and/or tables• few or no ads

Evaluating Journal Articles

Scholarly Journal Characteristics

• cites research• includes notes and/or bibliography• passes review by panel of experts

• peer reviewed• refereed

Databases

• Academic .edu

• Government .gov

• Specialized/commercial.com/.org/.net

Web Site Evaluation—the WWW’s

Who says it? Author or sponsor Credentials of responsible party Example: AMDOC

Web Site Evaluation—the WWW’s

What does it claim, assert, etc.? Purpose of web site Biased, objective, fair Factual…in depth Correct grammar, spelling, etc. Example: Silent Killer Example: Scout Report

Web Site Evaluation—the WWW’s

When was it said?• Publication date• Revisions• Links up-to-date• Example: Oncolink

Interlibrary Loan

• Question: What do I do if a resource I need is not available in the Beaman Library?

• Answer: Use the Interlibrary loan service provided by Beaman Library

Interlibrary Loan

Facts about Interlibrary Loan:

• Interlibrary Loan is a service provided by Beaman Library to obtain materials NOT owned by Beaman Library.

• The conditions of this service are set by the National Interlibrary Loan Code.

• The loan period is determined by the lending library.

• Athena is an area consortium of local libraries who loan and borrow from one another without charge.

• Applications are available at the Reference desk or online in Catacomb.

Access form online: http://library.lipscomb.edu

Citations

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association

• APA Style.org

• Citation Styles

Review: The Power of Five

What does scholarly research require?

A knowledge of1. The locations of information resources2. Organization of information resources3. The access tools needed for obtaining

information regardless of its format4. The criteria for evaluating information

located5. The rules of scholarly research

(proper citing/respect for copyright)