Introduction to Research for Computer ProgrammingUsing the Library Resource CentreApril 2013

Melanie Parlette-Stewart BA, MLIS Program Liaison, Engineering, IT, Trades + Apprenticeship

Email: mparlettestewart@conestogac.on.caTwitter: @ConestogaLib_MP

Why am I here?

My name is Melanie Parlette-Stewart and I’m from the Library.

Your assignment requires you to do research.

Evaluating your sources is key to completing your assignment successfully.

I’m going to show you:1. Improve your search skills through “pre-searching” and “re-

searching” to refine keyword strategies

2. Locate various types of resources to balance your research with high quality information from the LRC’s collections

3. Understand the criteria you can use to evaluate resources to ensure they are of good quality.

4. Discover resources to assist you in creating proper citations

Off-Campus Access PIN NUMBERS - You can use your PIN to:• Access resources from Off-Campus• Renew a book, place a hold• Review your account

Visit the LRC to get your PIN.Don’t forget to bring your student card with the 2013 sticker on it!

YOUR Research Guidehttp://exploreguides.conestogac.on.ca/programming

LRC Homepage Research Help Information Technology Computer Programming

Today’s Research Topic is….

• Is there a relationship Facebook use and academic performance?

Finding a source to answer your question . . .

Where do we begin?

The CRAAP TestC urrency The timeliness of the information

R elevance The importance of the information for your needs

A uthority The source of the information

A ccuracy The reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the information

P urpose The reason the information exists

What’s a credible source?• There may be times when you don’t know exactly where

your resource fits. • This test can help you determine if your information is

reliable. • Depending on the question you are asking, different part

of the criteria might be more important than others.

The CRAAP Test

Balanced Research

Encyclopedias

Books

Scholarly Journals

Newspapers

Professional Magazine (aka

Trade Journals)

Conference Papers

Technical Papers

Websites

Effective research taps into a variety of sources

Types of SourcesWhat’s the Difference?

Scholarly Journals Popular Magazines Trade Journals• Scholarly research or projects.  • Illustrations are usually charts

and graphs. • Authors are authorities in their

field. Often professors or researchers.

• Peer review process is in place where the content of an article is reviewed by one or more experts in the field.

Examples:Communications of the ACM

• General interest articles, entertainment, or information aimed at the consumer.  Usually colour photographs and illustrations.

• Articles are usually written by magazine staff, freelance writers, or may be anonymous.

• No peer review or refereeing process.

Examples:Wired, Popular Mechanics

• Industry related information, news and trends.  Some illustrations.

• Authors are industry experts, professionals, or practitioners who are not always identified

• Typically no peer review or refereeing process.

Examples:Electronic Design

Pre-Searching:

Facebook Academic Performance

Related Terms or Synonyms (words that mean the same)

Let’s Research : LRC Discover Tool

Facebook and Academic Performance

Let’s Re/search:

. . . and again: don’t forget to

Re/Search: Full Text Date Source Type Subject

Don’t forget to try using other “PRE-SEARCHING” terms:Ex: Social Networks and Media and Grades

Citing our SourcesIt's important to cite sources you used in

your research for several reasons: To show your reader you've done proper research by listing

sources you used to get your information

To be a responsible scholar by giving credit to other

researchers and acknowledging their ideas

To avoid plagiarism by quoting words and ideas used by other

authors

To allow your reader to track down the sources you used by

citing them accurately in your paper by way of footnotes, a

bibliography or reference list

Don’t forget to check the IEEE Style Tutorials to make sure your citation is correct!

Let’s Cite our Sources:

Tip: Check out RefWorks.RefWorks is an online citation management tool that helps you create your bibliography.

Need more sources?

http://exploreguides.conestogac.on.ca/programming

Explore the “Computer Programming” Research Help Guide to discover Databases focused on Computer Programming.

These database have: Advanced Search Tools Subject Specific Material

Use Discovery Search firstwww.conestogac.on.ca/lrc

After that, try a relevant Research Help guide for links to even more resources to searchhttp://exploreguides.conestogac.on.ca/programming

Use the “Cite” feature in each databaseRemember no ‘citation generator’ is ever perfectCheck it manually using the Writing Centre’s resources for your Citations

Style.www.conestogac.on.ca/learningcommons/resources/writing.jsp

Summary

Questions

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