GEL 101: Library Module (Chu)

Library Module Syllabus

mchu@csusm.edu (Melanie Chu) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:46:31 -0800

The skills you learn during the module will help you for 2 main reasons:

specifically, for the research paper you will do in this class.
in general, for the papers and projects you will do for the rest of your college career.

Learning Objectives

Find different types of information using a variety of tools.
Critically evaluate information.
Identify elements of citation.

Requirements

Attendance and participation are mandatory.
Students who are excessively or regularly late will not receive credit for attendance.
Appropriate classroom behavior is required
All assignments must be submitted on time.
No late work will be accepted without prior approval.
Students will be held accountable for the CSUSM Academic Honesty Policy (pg. 84-85).

Assignments and Points

Attendance and in-class activities = 25%
Homework: 3 assignments = 20% each
Quiz = 15%
Totals = 125 pts (Gallegos); 175 pts (Haro)

Students with Disabilities

The Office of Disabled Student Services provides a variety of services and resources to students. Students with disabilities should contact the instructor immediately to ensure appropriate accommodations are made during the Library Module.

Questions?

The Library Module is a rigorous, active learning experience. Do not hesitate to contact the instructor immediately with any questions.

What is it?

mchu@csusm.edu (Melanie Chu) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:38:07 -0700

The scenario: For Human Development 101, write a 4-5 page APA Style paper on the physical, social, and cultural causes of diabetes. What are some forms of treatment and prevention? Minimum 3 sources required-- at least one scholarly article or book, in addition to reputable websites.

Can you identify different types of information online?

Identify what each source is: magazine, newspaper, scholarly journal, book, website? How can you tell?
Is your source scholarly? Why or why not?
Can you use this source in the above assignment? Why or why not?

Source 1
Source 2
Source 3
Source 4
Source 5

Evaluating Sources

mchu@csusm.edu (Melanie Chu) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:18:56 -0800

Always check with your teachers to see what is required for your research. Most websites would NOT be considered scholarly.

Databases are different than free websites through Google. A database is a collection of information organized for searching and online access. Our research databases are paid subscriptions for CSUSM students, including both scholarly journal articles and popular magazine and newspaper articles.

Learn how to critically evaluate a source (especially websites) before choosing to include it in your research project. This includes looking for Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose (CRAAP).

Scholarly Research

mchu@csusm.edu (Melanie Chu) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:48:06 -0800

In college, you are often required to use scholarly (aka academic, peer-reviewed) sources.

CHECK:

Was it written by experts? They're affiliated with a university or provide their educational background (e.g. PhD).
Is it based on research? The findings are based on a study conducted or on a review of other expert literature. There MUST be a bibliography or works cited list.
Who is the intended audience? Scholarly sources will use complex, expert language and be fairly lengthy. Most academic research is published in peer-reviewed journals or books, not freely available thru Google.

Find out more about scholarly research with this quick video.

Books

mchu@csusm.edu (Melanie Chu) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:50:56 -0800

Books are usually more broad (and provide a better overview) than articles.

Search the Library Catalog for books at CSUSM.

The Circuit delivers books from local libraries to our Check Out Desk in 1-2 days.

(Tip: See a book you want from Amazon or Borders? Search for the title in The Circuit).

Did you know? Most college libraries are organized by the Library of Congress Classification System.

Articles

mchu@csusm.edu (Melanie Chu) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:41:58 -0700

These databases contain magazine, newspaper, and scholarly journal articles:

You can also choose databases in different subject areas.

See an article you want in one of these databases?

Look for "Full Text" in PDF, HTML, Linked or
Fill out an Interlibrary Loan article request form. Free, takes about one week.
Any time you need help, ask a librarian.

Search Strategies

mchu@csusm.edu (Melanie Chu) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:28:24 -0800

Search strategies to get better results when searching a database:

Identify key concepts and synonyms
Use "quotes" around phrases
Use AND between different concepts
Use OR between similar concepts
Use an asterisk* to find word variations

Bonus: Use NOT to exclude concepts

Take this quick tutorial on searching and see a sample search strategy

APA Style

mchu@csusm.edu (Melanie Chu) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:10:16 -0700

Every time you use someone else's ideas (even if you explain the idea in your own words) you give credit in your bibliography AND in the text of your paper. See CSUSM's Academic Honesty Policy (pg. 84-85).

To format your bibliography:

APA Style examples
Free formatting from KnightCite.

In-text citation examples:

When you use your own words:

As Brown (2001) shows blah blah blah.
Blah blah blah (Brown, 2001).

When you use a direct quote:

According to Smith (1998) "direct quote" (p. 14).
"Direct quote" (Smith, 1998, p. 14).

More Sources

mchu@csusm.edu (Melanie Chu) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:29:31 -0800

Only have 1 or 2 good sources? Use those bibliographies to find more research.

Find a specific article -- search for the journal title and year.
Find a specific book -- search for the book title.

Any time you need help, ask a librarian.

Research Outline

mchu@csusm.edu (Melanie Chu) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:23:59 -0700

Introduction

Get reader interested-- e.g. might use compelling statistics or examples. (1 sentence)

Thesis statement

What is the argument/point you will prove? (1 sentence). Example:

Sexual orientation and gender are important factors in the identity of college students.

Supporting evidence

Provide examples of evidence or "proof" that support your thesis (e.g. quotes, statistics, examples from sources). Include in-text citations for at least 3 sources (3 sentences total).

Conclusion

Summarize how evidence has proven thesis statement. Offer suggestions for future research or propose solutions to issue. (Not needed for homework).

Bibliography in APA Style

At least 3 sources used, with at least 1 scholarly source. For example:

1 reliable website (e.g. .edu or .gov)
1 news or magazine article
1 scholarly article or book chapter

Activities & Homework

mchu@csusm.edu (Melanie Chu) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:05:31 -0800

All assignments must be submitted on time, typed and printed out. No late work will be accepted without prior approval.

Homework 1:

Complete the "Evaluating sources" (CRAAP) tutorial: http://tip.uwyo.edu/evaluating/evaluating1.html
Use Google to find one reliable website related to your group research topic.
Apply the "CRAAP" method to the website you found in 5 complete sentences. Example: This website is current since it was last updated on October 27, 2009.
Cite the website in APA Style. You can use KnightCite: http://www.calvin.edu/library/knightcite/index.php (click APA then "website document").

Homework 2:

Complete "Search strategies" tutorial. Take "Quiz for Module 3". Print results page.
On quiz results, write down a search strategy (using what you learned in the tutorial) for your research topic. We will use the seach strategies in the next class.

Example: ("Native American" OR "American Indian") AND (discriminat* OR prejudice OR racism)

Homework 3-- due Thurs, Nov 12th

Find 3 sources for your paper-- you may have already found these in class. The sources should be a mix-- not all from Google. Suggested sources: 1 reliable website (e.g. .edu or .gov), 1 news or magazine article, and 1 scholarly article or book chapter.
Create a research outline (see below) that organizes your main points or ideas for your paper. Needs to include a thesis statement, at least 3 in-text citations, and an APA Style bibliography. See "Research Outline" for more info.