Framing the Context:Using Subject Specific Databases to

Explore Your Topic

Nicole BranchSanta Clara University Library

Image courtesy of flickr user Jeff Babbitt

Objectives • Practice a model to help develop

assignment topics

• Become familiar with subject-specific library resources

• Develop a strategy for searching for sources for your assignment

Image courtesy of flickr user Kirsten Pauli

Developing Your Topic

Topic -- Question -- Significance

Image courtesy of flickr user D. Robert Wolcheck

Choosing Your Topic

• An interesting subject that came up in class

• Something you are passionate about

• A topic you would like to learn more about

Image courtesy of flickr user Evelyn Flint

Warm up

• Write down your topic as it currently exists

• If you don’t have a topic yet, write down any topic you are interested in related to race, class and gender

Developing Your Topic

Topic -- Question -- Significance

Topic

Race & Media

Focus your topic

• If you can state your topic in 2-3 words, it is too broad.

• Narrow your topic by adding a context:HistoryDifferent communitiesDisciplineAudience

Examples

• History» Depictions of African American men in the media

across time

• Different Communities» Comparison of how majority people of color

protests are depicted in the media versus majority white protests

• Discipline» Communications; Business

• Audience» Popular; Conservative; Ethnic news sources

Topic

Race & Media

• Media portrayals of white versus people of color protesters

Discussion

• Describe your primary topic to your neighbor.

• Integrate a context to develop your topic.• History• Different communities• Discipline• Audience

Developing Your Topic

Topic -- Question -- Significance

Question

• Add a question such as how, why, or in what ways to your topic.

• How do media portrayals of civil disturbances related to race versus other civil disturbances differ?

Common Mistakes

• Avoid questions with one word answers or that cannot be answered within limits of the assignment.

• Avoid questions that are too vague or cannot be answered with research.

• Avoid speculation without evidence.

Question

• How do media portrayals of civil disturbances related to race versus other civil disturbances differ?

Writing Reflection

• Transform your topic into a question.

• Incorporate How WhyIn what ways

Developing Your Topic

Topic -- Question -- Significance

Significance

• So what?• I am researching…. Because I want to explore…

Race & Media

I am researching Media portrayals of civil disturbances related to

race versus other civil disturbances

Because I want to explore» The ways that the media impacts public perceptions of

activism related to issues of race.

Keep it Open

I am researching Media portrayals of civil disturbances related to

race versus other civil disturbances

Because I want to explore» The ways that the media impacts public perceptions of

activism related to issues of race.

Reflection & Discussion

Apply significance to your question

• I am researching ___________ because I want to explore___________.

Questions?

Identifying Keywords

I am researching Media portrayals of civil disturbances related to

race versus other civil disturbances

Because I want to explore» The ways that the media impacts public perceptions of

activism related to issues of race.

Identifying Keywords

I am researching Media portrayals of civil disturbances related to

race versus other civil disturbances

Because I want to explore» The ways that the media impacts public perceptions of

activism related to issues of race.

Identifying Keywords

Joshua Vossler, Selecting and Using Keywords

Finding the Context

• Research Guides

• Background Information

• Article Databases

Database Search

• Selecting a database:Who would be writing, thinking, talking about this

topic?

• Search & advanced search

Questions?

Any last questions about

• Topic Development

• Database searching

• Search strategy

Nicole BranchInstruction Librariannbranch@scu.edu408.554.5436

Thank you to flickr users:Jeff BabbittEvelyn FlintKirsten Pauli & D. Robert Wolcheckfor sharing their work through creative commons license.