Digging for the Gem: Developing the Scholarly Research Topic
1. Digging for the Gem: Developing the Scholarly Research Topic Michigan Academy of Science, Arts & Letters 3/26/10
2. Introduction Background information Scholarly topic Steps taken so far What to do next Conclusion Questions Michigan Academy of Science, Arts & Letters 3/26/10
3. Database search Librarians as supervisors of support staff Librarians as supervisors of clerical staff Librarians as supervisors of staff Michigan Academy of Science, Arts & Letters 3/26/10
4. Research Process Google Steps to take to research a scholarly subject Steps for librarians to take to research scholarly subjects Michigan Academy of Science, Arts & Letters 3/26/10
11. Challenges Topic is too narrow There is not much written on the topic Search terms are too unique for the databases Topic is too new for professional literature Topic is too broad Finding information that doesn’t seem to have a focus No matter what you type in, you just don’t seem to be able to pin point what you hope to find Thought the topic would be easier to search You write down your search You diagram your search strategy You try Google Michigan Academy of Science, Arts & Letters 3/26/10
12. What’s Next? Talk to colleagues Look outside of the discipline Compose a quick survey of EMU librarians Compose a larger survey of colleagues outside of Emu Michigan Academy of Science, Arts & Letters 3/26/10
13. What’s Next? Formed a Support Group Scholarly Support Group (SSG) Talk about ideas for scholarly projects Keeps us on task Helps us to make our ideas come to light Michigan Academy of Science, Arts & Letters 3/26/10
14. Conclusion:Things I learned I have a greater empathy toward the student researcher It is important be flexible with your topic Be open to revising your topic Importance of discussing a project with colleagues Michigan Academy of Science, Arts & Letters 3/26/10
15. Websites Olin &Uris Libraries (Cornell University) http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/research/skill.htm Humboldt State University Library: At Your Fingertips http://library.humboldt.edu/ic/general_competency/kuhlthau.html UC Berkeley Library Online Tutorials http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/Help/tutorials.php Michigan Academy of Science, Arts & Letters 3/26/10
