|
The follow are resources for students in COMS 103. Of course, you could start your research in Google or Wikipedia. But don't end it there. Google and Wikipedia are good resources when you're just starting your research or are trying to decide on a topic. But there is a lot of information beyond Google, especially journal articles. The OU Libraries pay for you to have access to many of these resources.
In Class Worksheet
PDF of PowerPoint Presentation
Your Librarian
Jessica Hagman
Or...Ask an OU Librarian: IM/Chat | Email | Phone (593-2699) | In Person (Learning Commons - 2nd floor) | Skype
Choosing a Topic
Choosing the right topic can go a long way towards making your speech better. Choose something that interests you, but avoid huge topics that aren't focused. Some sources for finding topics:
- CQ Researcher: Each week this database has a new in-depth report on a topic in the news, often a controversial issue.
- Opposing Viewpoints: Covers both sides of the many controversial issues you'll find in the news, including arguments for either side along with articles and reports.
- Info Tree Current Issues Section: A section of Info Tree containing a variety of sources that focus on controversial social and political issues. Many of these are entire encyclopedias focused on that particular topic.
- Google News: Google News will help you find current news articles. It is especially useful if you are looking for a way to narrow a very broad topic.
Searching the Library Catalog
In ALICE, the library catalog, you can find books, journals, newspapers, government documents and lots of other sources.
- Start with a keyword search, unless you know the title of a book you're looking for.
- When you find a book you like, check the subject headings. Clicking on the subject heading will give you a list of all the books on the same topic.
- If we don't have the book you're looking for, try clicking the
 button to check for the item from another college or university in Ohio.
- Use the periodical search to search for journals, magazines and newspapers. When you find a journal that's available online, you can connect to that resource online through ALICE. See this example for Newsweek which is available from several online databases.
Finding Articles
When you want to find articles, you'll need to begin with Info Tree, the OU Libraries collection of online databases. Choose a database that you like and then search for articles in the database (not in Info Tree). Info Tree includes a section of resources on communication, but other subject areas may include resources you'll find useful as well. The following are some suggested resources to check out:
- Academic Search Complete: This EBSCO database covers a wide range of topics and includes popular and news articles along with scholarly articles.
- Lexis Nexis: This database contains the full text of articles from thousands of news sources around the world, as well as radio and TV broadcast transcripts.
Finding "Good" Information on the Web
While Google and Wikipedia should not be the sole sources of information for your research, they can still provide valuable information if you're careful.
- Wikipedia: Wikipedia is a publicly edited encyclopedia, which means that almost anyone with an Internet connection can post information, whether it is correct or not. If you find information in Wikipedia, check the references that the author has posted. Often these will provide you with a way to verify the "facts" that you have found in Wikipedia, or even lead to sources that you can use in your paper.
- Reports and other research results: Some organizations will post research and reports and other information online. Some examples are the Pew Research Center for People & the Press or the Digital Games Research Association. Look for sites that end in .gov or .edu.
- Government information: The federal and state governments publish lots of information on the web. The statistics section of Info Tree includes links to many of these resources. This is a great way to find data and information about government activities.
- Librarians Internet Index: A collection of links by subject to reliable online resources.
Evaluating What You Found
No matter where you find your information, from a scholarly research article to a web document, you should always evaluate the information that you find before you incorporate it into your research project. Ask yourself:
- What argument does the author make?
- What evidence do they use to back up their argument?
- What authority does this person have? How much do they know about this topic?
- Is the author trying to change your opinion, or sell you something?
- What is the source of the information (a scholarly journal, a newspaper, a self-published website or blog?)
- How recent is the information?
- How relevant is the information to your research?
Once you have thought about these questions, decide whether the source is useful for your paper.
|
