Senior Seminar in Kinesiology

An Adventure in ResearchBeaman Library

Spring 2012

Research is a process…

• It is ORGANIZED

• It is METHODICAL

• It is COMPREHENSIVE

The Researcher’s 2 questions…

• WHAT do I want to know?

• WHERE do I find that information?

The online catalog…

All searching begins withthe online catalog.

Information Resources in Beaman Library

Reference books

Periodicals

Indexes

Databases/Websites

Reference Sources: Types

EncyclopediasGeneralSubject

DictionariesHandbooksDirectoriesIndexesStatistical Sources

Periodicals - Location

Current (2012) 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.

Periodical Indexes/Academic Databases

• Online• Tennessee Electronic

Library (TEL)• Expanded Academic

ASAP• General OneFile• Health Reference

Center--Academic

Journals on the Web

The Internet Public Library Online Serials

Find articles.com

Magazines, journals, E-zines, and more.

Academic Databases

Available from Beaman Library Catalog @ http://library.lipscomb.edu

Government Databases

National Library of Medicine

National Institutes of HealthHealth and drug information for patients, family and friends

Biomedical journal literature from MEDLINE/PubMed

Subject Interest Databases

Archive of athletic journals

Education journals and research

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/

Evaluating Information

• from monographs (books)

• from periodicals (journals)

• from databases/websites

Evaluating books

• Is it a recognized author?• Does it have timely content?• Does it contain documentation?

Evaluating Journal Articles

Scholarly Journal Characteristics• limited audience• for scholars or researchers in a specialized field

(e.g. medicine, psychology)

Evaluating Journal Articles

• found in specialized (subject) indexes

such as the Physical Education Index

• 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

World Wide Web Resources

• 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

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.

Web Site Evaluation—the WWW’s

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