Digging for the Gem: Developing the Scholarly Research Topic

Michigan Academy of Science, Arts & Letters 3/26/10

Digging for the Gem:

Developing the Scholarly Research Topic


Introduction

• Background information• Scholarly topic• Steps taken so far• What to do next• Conclusion• Questions


Database search

• Librarians as supervisors of support staff• Librarians as supervisors of clerical staff• Librarians as supervisors of staff


Research Process

• Google– Steps to take to research a scholarly subject– Steps for librarians to take to research scholarly

subjects


Research Process

• Olin & Uris LibrariesSeven Steps of the Research Process• Identify and develop your topic• Find background information• Use catalogs to find books and media• Use indexes to find periodical articles• Find internet resources• Evaluate what you find• Cite what you find using a standard format


Research ProcessUniversity of California, Berkley– Step One: Formulate/define your research topic– Step Two: Do some background reading on your topic– Step Three: Select the appropriate information sources,

databases and tools– Step Four: Learn the search protocols of relevant

databases– Step Five: Use effective search techniques– Step Six: Read critically, synthesize, seek meaning, revise – Step Seven: Take good notes and cite sources


Stage 4 -- Focus FormulationTask Thoughts Feelings Actions StrategiesTo formulate a focus from the information encountered

Predicting outcome of possible foci

Using criteria of personal interest, requirements of assignment, availability of materials, and time allotted

Identifying ideas in information from which to formulate focus

Sometimes characterized by a sudden moment of insight

Optimism

Confidence in ability to complete task

Reading notes for themes

Making a survey of notes

Listing possible foci

Choosing a particular focus while discarding others, or

Combining several themes to form one focus


Research Process

What happens when you can’t get off of step one?


ChallengesTopic 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 literatureTopic 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 findThought the topic would be easier to search– You write down your search– You diagram your search strategy– You try Google


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


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


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


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 Tutorialshttp://www.lib.berkeley.edu/Help/tutorials.php

http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/research/skill.htm

http://library.humboldt.edu/ic/general_competency/kuhlthau.html

http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/Help/tutorials.php

http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/Help/tutorials.php

Digging for the Gem: Developing the Scholarly Research Topic

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