Northeastern State University Libraries

Library CLIP Tutorials

English Comp 1213: 

Research Strategy -- Provides steps and concepts involving the research process.
Evaluation of URLs -- Provides criteria for evaluating the quality of websites.
Citations -- How to cite most common resources using MLA and APA and how to avoid plagiarism.

 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.

 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 researcher may wish to cross disciplinary lines and take a literary theory and apply it to another field.  The researcher 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).  Researchers 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 UCLA College Library and NWACC) 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 is the NSU library organized?

Maps
     Physical Overview to the Library Tutorial
Library of Congress
Hours
  Information can be shared in a variety of formats and examples are as follows:

Books	Shows trends, gives history of topic, provides definitions, theories	Library Catalog
Journals	Covers current research on scholarly topics	Academic Search Premier Wilson Web Subject List of Databases
Magazines	Report on popular topics, news	Masterfile Premier
Newspapers For Oklahoma topics, use Newsbank	Report on popular topics, news	Newspaper Source, NewsBank Newsfile New York Times
Government Publications	Publications on all topics prepared by federal and state agencies.	Marcive Web Docs Occupational Outlook Handbook NSU Government Publications
Audio Visual	Graphic representation of topic	Library Catalog
Internet	Provides quick, full text information, especially on current topics.	Evaluation of URLs Tutorial (see above)
Interviews	Provides a personal account of a topic	In-person or through e-mail

Keyword vs. controlled vocabulary, boolean logic
Research Strategies CLIP Tutorial              

 Locating Internet resources

Internet Search Engines Available

Some (hopefully) reliable approaches to finding good Web sources:

The Internet Public Library
Librarians' Index to the Internet
JVL NSU Subject Listing of Web Resources
     

Assess the quality of the Web sites listed below:
Feline Reactions to Bearded Men

Critically assessing sources

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?

 Researching literary topics

When researching literary topics, see the Literary Criticism page.

 Am I done yet?

Have you tried, books, magazines, journals, newspapers, government publications, Internet sources, interviews, audio visuals? If not, you aren't done! Remember, research is empowering.

                                        How do I cite sources using M.L.A. style?

The Tutorial on Citations provides a good overview to citing resources. The M.L.A. Handbook for Writers of Research Papers is located on the first floor at the call number, Ready Ref. LB 2369.G53.  Also, try the MLA Web site.
 

How do I find these library resources through the Web?

Many of the resources listed above are available through the John Vaughan Library Home Page. With an NT password and userid, these resources may be used from any location.

SophiaBeverley Threatt, MLS, MA
Instructor of Library Services
Languages and Literature and Communication, Art, & Theatre
Resource Coordinator
(918) 444-3267
threatt@nsuok.edu