LIBRARY SEARCH ACTIVITY

COMM100 * FLOSS

 

This page of links should still be very valuable to your research; I'd advise you to visit each linked site and become familiar with the highlighted resources!

OBJECTIVE : With a group of classmates, become familiar with one section of the Humboldt State University Library and share that knowledge with the rest of the class. This will provide invaluable research tools for you.

DAY ONE : The class will meet in the Library lobby and form the preassigned groups for research. Go to your area of the library, and become familiar with it. Groups 1 - 4 should follow these directions:

* Develop hypothetical speech topic to research.

* Look for supporting material for your research topic.

* Use the one class session wisely; keep track of successful tactics and searches.

* Be ready to present your successful search tactics next class session.

GROUP 1 : Learn to use the HSU Online book catalog. Keep your focus to finding books on the shelves.
GROUP 2 : Learn to use the Periodicals databases and and access full text articles. Keep to general databases of most use to most Comm100 students, such as: EBSCOhost, Omnifile, CQ Researcher. How can the Quick Search feature help with preliminary research? (Click on the Articles tab) Or Quick Search by Subject Area.
GROUP 3 : Learn to use the Lexis/Nexis database along with Proquest, focusing on the general news section.
GROUP 4 : Learn to use the U.S. Documents databases, for general searches and local holdings. Look at the Government Printing office, too. Try searching for topics you would and would not associate with government.

For the above electronic resources, consider the following:

* The boolean operator "or" can widen your search.

* The boolean operators "and" and "not" can narrow your search.

* Can searches be saved? How can you open an account for this?

* What kind of help system is built in?

* Will the cite or database help you format citations for your bibliography?

* Are there features that help you refine your search and/or topic?

GROUP 5: Evaluate research tools from the Library site: Subject Resources, (especially Communication) and be sure check out the Research Roadmap. What parts of Research Roadmap are especially helpful to Comm 100 Students? Evaluate this class websites: Speech Preparation. Which of the YouTube tutorials useful? Which of the Library Video Research Tutorials are useful? How useful is the 24/7 research help?

GROUP 6 : Find and use the Encyclopedias, Dictionaries, Atlases, Statistical Yearbooks, Biographies, Books of quotations and Gazetteers. Show classmates where to find good reference sources for speeches and suggest how they might be used.

For these guidance and reference section searches, consider the following:

* Split into subgroups for efficiency in searching the different reference sections.

* What is each guide or reference type most useful for?

* What kinds of supporting material can you find in each?

* How can the supporting material be used--in what part of your hypothetical speech?

DAYS TWO (& THREE): The class will meet in Library lobby. We will all visit the research areas, in turn, for the groups listed above. Each group will have about 15 minutes to present.

(Note: TuTh sections only meet for two days. Group one presentsin the final 15 minutes of Day One and all others present on Day Two.)

PRESENTATIONS : As you will have only about15 tminutes to present your findings, consider the following:

* Present an general overview of the systems or Library area.

* Present only what you've discovered that will help your classmates use the resources productively.

* Discuss how what you've found will be useful in speech preparations.

* Show the Library handouts and/or online help systems.

 

Note: Freshmen with little research experience really should try some of the Research Roadmap. <http://library.humboldt.edu/researchroadmap>