Based on fourth library session for Honors 110: Research Methods

1. Navigating the research Databases Honors 110/ Fall 2010

2. What are the 4 steps in the Research Process? 1. Pick a topic 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Write the paper

3. What are the 4 steps in the Research Process? Pick a topic Where to search (databases) How to search (keywords) How to get it (find the article) Is what I’ve got any good Write the paper

4. Pros & Cons of Research Databases

7. Getting the Article… Step 1:Is the article available full-text in the database? No. Then follow these steps. Step 2: Mason Link Step 3: Go to the E-Journal Finder if no Mason Link Step 4: Mason Library Catalog Step 5:WRLC Consortium Loan Service Step 6:Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

8. HKANDR R HK Basic Search Concepts: Connecting Your Search Terms Hurricane Katrina AND rebuilding *Do Not Use:an, for, in, of, the, with *Other search options

9. Let’s try searching… Start at library homepage http://library.gmu.edu Click on Research Databases Choose the category Basic Topics Choose Academic Search Complete from list Follow along with the librarian’s search example

10. In-Class Activity Instructions: Every pair will have 2 activity sheets to complete. Spend 5-10 minutes brainstorming keywords based on your assigned topic. Search the Library’s research databases to find articles related to your topic. Please select: 1 person to type in the information in the computer & 1 person to record your observations. One person can do more than one job, but everyone should participate. Step 1: Go to the University Libraries Catalog http://library.gmu.edu Under Research Tools, click on Research Databases Step 2: Based on your assigned research question, brainstorm keywords to use when searching. Step 3: Using the keywords from Step 2, search one of the interdisciplinary research databases: Academic Search Complete OR ProQuest Research Library. You can also try searching a subject-specific database (Use the suggestions from the Infoguides or Databases by Topic). Find 3 articles that would be helpful in writing a scholarly, academic research paper. Think about why these articles would be helpful. Note: You can search multiple databases to complete this assignment.

11. Library Assignment Searching the Library’s research database Focus on your proposed topics for research paper If you don’t have a definite topic, think about possible topics. Available on Blackboard