Eng 1113 (Word Assignment)
Welcome to the John Vaughan Library! The library hours and maps are available to provide general information about the library. Materials are arranged by subject using the Library of Congress Classification System.
The John Vaughan Library Physical Overview tutorial provides introductory material to the library's collections and services. Use the library tutorials to reinforce topics that are covered in class.
Why do research?
Research can lead to information; information can lead to knowledge, and knowledge is powerful. All of the informational resources available originated from someone being curious about something, exploring it, and sharing the findings.
What is authority and why is it important?
Experts in a field are individuals who might have degrees in a field,
work in the discipline, and have published in the subject area.
Their opinions can be very useful in finding credible sources.
For instance, anyone can write Wikipedia articles, but only experts can
contribute to Encyclopaedia Britannica. Keep the following concepts in
mind when choosing and using resources for research:
1. Identify authors who are outstanding in their fields, determine the
credentials of the author. Does the author have a degree in the field,
is the author a professor?
2. Date of publication--is it recent? On Web pages, do the links work?
3. Does the publisher have a good reputation? Is it published by a
professional association or university press? Is the journal refereed?
On Web pages, check the domain (.edu is educational, .gov is
government, .com is commercial, .net is network, .org is
organizational)
4. How was the resource received by the critics?
5. Completeness of the material. Does the source have an index,
bibliography?
6. Is the language slanted or biased?
7. Does it include well known facts or research studies? Is the
information complete, accurate, objective?
8. What is the purpose of the resource? Is it for the general
public, children, scholars? Is the goal to market persuade, educate?
How is information organized and from where do articles originate?
The cycle of information is an interesting one. Research starts
with an idea. Someone becomes curious about something and wants
to
explore it. Literature reviews are conducted, empirical evidence
is
gathered. The reseoberg may wish to cross disciplinary lines and
take a literary theory and apply it to another field. The
reseoberg
writes an article. If the article adds to the body of knowledge
or
presents a new concept, a journal in that discipline might be
interested
in publishing it. Article submissions go through a reviewing process in
which multiple reviewers will read and comment on the article.
This
is an example of a refereed journal article. If it passes the review
process,
the article is published in the journal. Indexers read journal
articles
and assign subject headings to the articles and place the citation in
indexes
(such as MLA Bibliography). Reseobergs comb indexes to
find
articles, and the whole cycle starts over. This is a cycle that
occurs
right here at NSU. Our faculty and students are publishing.
You
can become a part of the process, too. Exciting, isn't it?
The Flow
of
Information (from the University System of Georgia) depicts how
information about an
event can be represented in different types of resources. Understanding
how
information is disseminated helps to know where to look and the
attributes of each format.
How do I choose a topic?
Listen to the news, read newspapers, surf the Web, and consider your
personal interests to identify potential topics. Read
encyclopedia (general encyclopedias are in the Reference area, call
number "AE") articles to get background information about a
topic. Consider which types of resources (newspapers, books,
etc.) would include information on your topic. See the chart
below for types of resources.
Below is a chart showing the kinds of materials available in
the
library that will be needed to complete your assignment. Use this chart
with any project to help determine what resources would be useful.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Middle of 1st floor |
Research Help Call ext. #3240 |
|
|
other newspapers |
East side of 1st floor |
Newspaper Source |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subject Dictionaries |
Ref. PE 1625.O87 1991 Reference collection, 1st floor |
Available in print arranged by subject. (See LC call number section) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All three floors,
available through the Library Catalog |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Infomine The Internet Public Library JVL NSU Subject Listing of Web Resources |
|
How do I Locate Resources not Available at NSU?
Interlibrary
loan
is available free of charge in which books and copies of articles can
be borrowed from other libraries. Allow approximately two weeks
for interlibrary loan requests to be received.
Where can I Locate an M.L.A. Style Manual?
The M.L.A. Handbook for Writers of Research Papers is located on the first floor at the call number, Ref. LB 2369.G53. Also, try the MLA Web site and the Purdue OWL. For additional help in citing sources, try KnightCite Bibliography Machine. Indiana University has a good guide on plagiarism.
How do I get help?
The reference librarians are here to help you. Feel free to contact us directly or go to the Reserve Desk and ask for help or for us to be called.
SophiaBeverley Threatt, MLS, MA
Instructor of Library Services
Languages and Literature and Communication, Art, & Theatre
Resource Coordinator
(918) 444-3267
threatt@nsuok.edu
Page maintained by: SB Threatt threatt@nsuok.edu
Last Updated: 08/07/2012
