Guide and syllabus to accompany library research module for Fall 2009 Douglass T/R GEL 101 class
Introduction
The Library Module will introduce you to the basics of college-level research. The skills you learn during the module will help you for two main reasons:
Specifically, for the research project and presentation you will do in this class.
In general, for the papers and projects you will be expected to do for the rest of your college career.
By the time you finish the Library Module, you will be able to:
Identify the information you need
Find the information effectively and efficiently
Evaluate the information retrieved critically
Use the information to create new information (your assignments)
Research with an awareness of the ethical and legal issues regarding information use
Course Reserves
Through the Course Reserveslink on the library homepage (Douglass/GEL 101) you can see book titles pulled from the stacks that you MAY find useful in doing your research. These may be checked out in 2-hour increments so titles can be available to a number of people.
Vixy (Beta, converts YouTube to format useable in Imovie or Moviemaker)
Visual Conversion Tools (YouTube to Movie Maker) See the Web Links in WebCT.
I expect and welcome questions either during class, via email, or in my office. Do not hesitate to clear up confusion!
GEL--Expectations
The expectations for classroom behavior are the same as for Professor Douglass' portion of the class with these specific addenda:
The Library Module covers A LOT of information in only 4 meetings, so attendance and participation are mandatory.
Due to the quick pace of the class and in consideration for those who do attend each day, NO extra credit is available and no late work is accepted. The only exception is for absences with proper documentation and prior notification of the library instructor and missed work must be completed by the end of the final library module meeting.
Each class activity and homework assignment is for credit and must be completed in the time given.
Text for the Library Module is The Student, The University, The Community: Custom Edition for Cal State San Marcos 2009-2010, Part I, pp. 82-111.
There will short quizzes at the beginning of several classes that may be based on the assigned readings for that day OR on material covered in prior classes.
Students who are excessively or regularly late will not receive credit for attendance. Late arrivals cannot make up any quiz given that day.
Appropriate classroom behavior is required (e.g. NOfoul language or lack of respect to the instructor or each other, no electronic communication (cell, iPod, etc.), no eating during class.)
IF you have any questions about a library assignment, ask me--I welcome questions!
Academic honesty is expected as standard behavior in the university environment.
Copying text and presenting as your own work will get you ZERO on assignments.
You are expected to provide answers in your own words as will turning in the exact same answer as a classmate when working together but turning in separate work will be counted as plagiarism.
Plagiarism on the annotated bibliography will earn you a ZERO for the entire module.
Note: The Office of Disabled Student Services provides a variety of services and resources to students. Students with disabilities should contact me immediately to ensure appropriate accommodations are made during the Library Module.
HW 1: Find 3 websites related to your topic (one ".edu", one ".gov", and one from "wikipedia.org" Use the Evaluating Websites and pp. 102-103 from your textbook to help you compare the three websites and summarize your findings in a few sentences. Cite your 3 websites using APA style which includes each site's URL (see OWL's Reference List: Other Non-Print Sources for help). Submit in WebCT before next class. 15 points.
Readings: CSUSM custom section of GEL textbook (part I) pp. 83-87 and 96-98. (review of search tools and internet on pp. 88-91)
GEL--Annotated Bibliography
Rubric and Model links for the Annotated Bibliography
An annotation is a brief summary of a book, article, or other publication. Its purpose is to describe the work in such a way that the reader can decide whether or not to read the work itself.
Annotations often appear as part of a bibliography, the list of sources that is standard in scholarly books and articles, including most student papers.
When a bibliography includes annotations it is known as an annotated bibliography.
These are 6 points to help you write your annotated bibliography (not necessarily in this order): 1. What are the qualifications of the author? 2. What is the main purpose of the text? (summarize in one or two sentences) 3. How does this source relate to your topic? 4. What is the viewpoint or bias of the author? 5. Who is the intended audience of this work? 6. What is your final comment on this work? Basically, keep it short and straightforward by using the 6 points above (from GEL Text, Part I, p. 106).
Checklist for the GEL Annotated Bibliography Assignment
Four sources: one from each of the following categories: Scholarly article, Book or Book Chapter, Media, and Popular Press Article. Credit will not be given on items that duplicate a category (e.g., no credit for a second youtube site.)
APA citation format, using the 2009 6th edition of The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association
Annotation paragraph for each citation as demonstrated in the model below and covering the points in the Rubric for authority, summary, and usefulness to your research.
From your own Internet searching, you probably realize there is an overwhelming amount of information available online. You might feel comfortable searching online-- but doing a Google search and using the first few results for your paper does not constitute college research!
Anyone can put up a website. How do you know that its information is accurate, legitimate or current? Refer to the Custom text, pp. 102 before choosing to include the information you find in your research project.
Ask yourself these questions as if you are reading someone else's paper in order to grade it and are reviewing the bibliography and find websites listed:
1. Who made this site? 2. What is its purpose? 3. Where does the information come from? 4. How current is the website?
If you cannot answer these questions or the answers are weak, it is best to find other sources of information.
Group: Call Number Activity - put them in order! 5 points.
Following this class meeting:
HW 2: Draft a thesis statement. Submit in WebCT before next meeting. 5 points.
HW 3: Find one scholarly book (not a reference book) in the library catalog. Submit the citation in APA to WebCT and include below the citation two subject headings appropriate to your topic that you found during your search. 14 points.
Readings: CSUSM custom section of GEL textbook (part I) pp. 92-95, 104-107 and the Annotated Bibliography section from Day One.
Starting Research
Identify major ideas related to your topic. Ask yourself: who, what, where, when, why/how?
Who? Is there a group of people (e.g. race, ethnicity, age group) you want to focus on? What? What do you want know about this topic? Where? Do you want to focus on a location (e.g. country, neighborhood, schools)? When? Are you looking at a specific time period (e.g. contemporary, before World War I)? Why/How? Why or how is this topic happening?
A thesis statement is developed from at least one of the questions you have asked yourself above and is:
the main point of your paper/presentation
a clear single sentence usually in your introduction
supported, explained, or proven by the rest of your paper/presentation
what you want the reader/audience to know or understand
In-Class: Find one scholarly article article on your topic from one of the CSUSM research databases. Cite article using APA style and submit citation with your topic by end of class to WebCT.
Quiz Review, any questions?
Before next class:
HW 3: Find one popular article on your topic from one of the CSUSM research databases (you have all ready located one scholarly article during class). Cite using APA with short explanation of why you believe this is not scholarly. Submit to WebCT.
Fun Stuff: Zotero, a free plug-in for Firefox (sorry, Internet Explorer!) places a citation manager and storage function on your computer. Recently added is the ability to access your files from different computers. Save web pages you find on the web with notations and organization by using this useful tool.
Be a Super Student: Look on the web for information about the author of the book or book chapter you found for HW2. How can you tell you have the same person? How can you tell they are qualified to write on the topic?
Finding Articles
Journal articles include the latest research in the field. To find articles, you need to start with a research database. Each will allow you to search hundreds or even thousands of journals at once by searching for keywords relevant to your topic.
The following databases are useful for this class. Try searching for keywords related to your topic:
Most Useful
Academic Search Premier Magazines, Newspapers, Academic Journals (Limit your results by clicking 'Scholarly/Peer Reviewed') Sociological Abstracts Use 'Thesaurus Search' to find descriptors for your topic.Click 'Journal articles only' for scholarly articles. Project Muse Full-text and scholarly, this database covers many different disciplines and subjects. Recommended to use 'Advanced Search'.
Also Useful
ERIC Good source for sociological and educational topics (Click 'Journal articles only' for scholarly articles).
LexisNexis Great news source: newspapers, newsletters and magazines (all full-text but no scholarly/peer reviewed articles)
JSTOR Use the 'Advanced Search' to limit disciplines and article type.
Sage Journals Online Sage Journals Online includes over 460 journals in Business, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Science, Technology and Medicine.
NOTE: Depending on your topic, other databases might be more relevant. You can choose a database by subject.
See an article you want in one of these databases?
Look for "Full Text" in PDF, HTML, Linked or
If full text is not available through these options, fill out an Interlibrary Loan article request form. You'll get it within 10 or so days for FREE.
Or, any time you need help, ask a librarian!
APA Style help
Sites with examples These sites have examples of how to cite difference sources, in-text citations, and sample papers.
Some instructors want students to follow the 5th editon of the APA Manual.
Here are a few links that provide help if your instructor is requiring students to use the 5th edition. Do not use these links if your instructor is requiring students to use 6th edition.
APA: Publication manual of the American Psychological Association. 6th ed. Washington, DC : American Psychological Association, 2010. BF76.7 P83 2010 Library Copies
Some instructors want students to follow the 5th editon of the APA Manual. Here are a few links that provide help if your instructor is requiring students to use the 5th edition. Do not use these links if your instructor is requiring students to use 6th edition.
http://www.zamzar.com/ You simply enter the URL of the YouTube video and select the format that you would like to convert it to (in the case of Movie Maker that is wmv) and Zamzar will convert the YouTube video and email it to you. The turnaround time varies (.5 -6 hours). Then you can edit the video in Moviemaker.
Evaluations
Quiz (WebCT)
Following our class session:
HW 5: Locate a media file (YouTube, other "movie" or image) that pertains to your topic and you may use in the group movie project. Submit the source information as a citation in APA format with 2-3 sentences on how it could be used in your group movie project to WebCT. 10 points.
Annotated Bibliographies submitted in WebCT by beginning of class September 29!
Follow up resources on avoiding plagiarism - Citing Sources and Academic Honesty (Also see Professor Douglass' syllabus)
PDF, 
HTML, 
Linked or 
