research strategies
summer 2008
Tony Cosgrave
ajc5@cornell.edu
607-255-7148 (5-7148)
office hours: 108 uris library, Friday 9-10am
Eric Acree
ea18@cornell.edu
607-255-5229 or 255-3822 (5-5229 or 5-3822)
office hours: 222 olin library, Wednesday 1-2pm
course
description:
this course will introduce students with research interests to search strategies and methods for finding materials in various
formats (print, digital, film, etc.) using information databases such
as the library catalog, print and electronic indexes, and the world
wide web. instructors will provide equal time for lecture and hands-on
learning.
written
work:
students will be expected to complete 1-2 short written assignments
(1 page each) which may include: reflective essays on their individual
search strategies, reactions to required readings, and reviews of databases
or workshops.
the final written assignment will be a 12-15 source annotated
bibliography on a scholarly research topic of the student's choice.
ideally, the
research topic should require as full an array as possible of sources
-- reference materials, books, electronic/digital sources, audiovisuals,
government documents, primary sources, and popular & scholarly journal
articles -- and should also be as cross-disciplinary as possible (history,
literature, political science, business, labor, sociology, law, etc.).
grading:
attendance, participation, written work, and other assignments will
be taken into account in determining final grades for the course. this
course is graded s (satisfactory) or u
(unsatisfactory). a grade of s will earn the student
1.0 credit. more than one unexcused absence will result in a u.
Code of Academic Integrity:
Absolute integrity is expected of every Cornell student in all academic undertakings. Integrity entails a firm adherence to a set of values, and the values most essential to an academic community are grounded on the concept of honesty with respect to the intellectual efforts of oneself and others. Academic integrity is expected not only in formal coursework situations, but in all University relationships and interactions connected to the educational process, including the use of University resources. While both students and faculty of Cornell assume the responsibility of maintaining and furthering these values, this document is concerned specifically with the conduct of students.
A Cornell student's submission of work for academic credit indicates that the work is the student's own. All outside assistance should be acknowledged, and the student's academic position truthfully reported at all times. In addition, Cornell students have a right to expect academic integrity from each of their peers.
class 1 - June 24
- Introductions
- Overview
of course
- Pre-test
class 2 - June 26
- Introduction
to the Cornell University Library and vocabulary
- Subject/Research
guides
- Finding
background information - Intro. to Reference Sources
class 3 - July 1
- Searching
the CUL online catalog
- Understanding
LC Subject Headings and LC Classification
class 4 - July 3
- Searching
other catalogs (OCLC, WorldCat, RLIN, LOC)
- Important
services to know (ILL, Borrow Direct, Holds, Recalls, Book Delivery)
class 5 - July 8 - Meet at Africana Library
- Introduction
to finding journal articles
- Distinguishing scholarly from non-scholarly journals
- Full-text
vs. Index databases
- ProQuest Research Library
class 6 - July 10
- Academic Search Premier
- Lexis Nexis
class 7 - July 15 - Meet at Mann Library
class 8 - July 17
classes 9 - July 22
classes 10 - July 24
- Statistical Information Sources
class 11 - July 29 - Meet in Rare and Manuscripts Department, Kroch Library
- Primary Source Research
- Special Collections
class 12 - July 31
- What have we learned?
- Post-test
- Course Evaluations
