LESSON 1: ONLINE RESEARCH IN THE ELECTRONIC
AGE
Reading
Tutorial:
Subject Guide Searching on Gale PowerSearch Databases
Assignment
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
* To understand what research is and how the Internet has
revolutionized the way research is done in the electronic age.
* To understand the strengths and limitations of the Internet
and libraries.
* To know that
there are 3 basic tools for searching the Internet.
* To be able to
tell the difference between a subject and a topic.
* To be able to
formulate an appropriate college-level research topic.
* To be aware
of the preliminary questions to ask yourself before setting out to do research
on the Internet.
LESSON ONE TABLE OF
CONTENTS:
1. What is Research?
2. Research in the Electronic Age: The
Internet
3. The Strengths and
Limitations of the Internet
4. Partners not Competitors: Libraries and the Internet
5. Information Sources
on the Internet
6. Internet Search Tools
* Web Databases
* Web Subject Directories
* Web Search Engines
7. Preparing to do
Research: Subjects vs. Topics
8. Guidelines
for Choosing a Topic
9. Overall
Research Strategy
10. Key Points to Remember
1. WHAT IS RESEARCH?
At many times in your life, you will be in situations in which – for a variety
of reasons and purposes -- you need more information. You might need information for a term paper,
or about a medical condition, or about the cost of living in another city, and
so forth. In order to find this
information you need to do research.
Research
is the process of gathering, evaluating, and interpreting information in order
to answer a particular question or problem.
Research projects of various types and complexity are an important part of
the college experience. But even after
college, the ability to locate and evaluate information is essential for many
areas of life and a crucial part of what it means to be an educated person.
2. RESEARCH IN THE ELECTRONIC AGE:
THE INTERNET
More information is being produced and distributed today that at any other time
in human history. In fact, experts
believe that the amount of available information doubles about every 4 years,
and that more new information has been generated in the last 30 years than in
the previous 5,000 (Wurman 32).
Faced with this avalanche of information, how do you find what’s relevant to
your particular topic or interest? Since
approximately the mid 1990’s, the general public has been able to access an
astonishing variety and amount of information via the Internet.
The Internet
can be defined as a global network of computer networks, linking computers to
computers. It is the hardware, software, and telecommunications technology that
links together computers all over the globe, so that documents and files
residing on one computer can be transported to and viewed on other computers.
Moreover, because of the way it allows communication between people (through
email, newsgroups, etc.) as well as the option of “publishing” one’s ideas, it
is sometimes called an “open information resource,” i.e. open to all those who
want to participate, with no central authority in charge.
The terms “Internet” and “World Wide Web” are often used synonymously, although
technically they are different. The World Wide Web is a large
collection of information that’s available on the Internet, linked in a sort of
web. Information on the Web is often
presented in a multi-media format, with text, images, graphics, video, and/or
audio.
The Internet has revolutionized the way information is produced and
distributed. In order to be an effective
researcher, you must know how to use it wisely.
3. THE STRENGTHS AND
LIMITATIONS OF THE
INTERNET
Although the Internet offers an astounding amount and variety of information,
it is not some sort of magic "brain in the sky" that will always
provide reliable, accurate answers to any question. When using the Internet,
keep in mind both its strengths and its limitations:
Internet strengths:
- a vast array of electronic information sources
- convenient access to information that used to be
inaccessible, very difficult to find, or never before published
- extremely up-to-date information on current
events and popular culture
- the ability to communicate with others through email, newsgroups,
and blogs
Internet limitations:
- Lack of formal organization
- Lack of quality control. There is no governing body
in charge of the Internet (although there are groups that oversee
technical standards). Anyone with a computer and an Internet connection
can "publish" information or opinion on the Web. This openness
can be seen as one of the Internet's great strengths, but it also means
that the quality, accuracy, and credibility of the information varies dramatically. In other words, anyone's ideas --
even if they are extremist political views or completely untrue ideas --
can be found on the Web and no one checks to make sure Web pages provide
accurate information.
- Uneven subject coverage. The Internet is
completely haphazard and unpredictable in terms of the depth, number, and
kinds of subjects being covered. Thus, the Internet may or may not offer in-depth
coverage of the topic that interests you.
Given these strengths and
limitations, skilled researchers understand that the Internet supplements, but
does not replace, libraries and traditional research tools such as online book
catalogs and periodical indexes.
4. PARTNERS NOT
COMPETITORS: LIBRARIES AND
THE INTERNET
There is a widespread misperception among many people
that the Internet has replaced libraries and the traditional tools and methods
used by libraries. Skillful researchers, however, realize that the Internet and
libraries each have their own strengths and limitations and will draw on each
when appropriate. The Internet and libraries compliment each other because they
each offer some things that the other does not:
*
What does the Internet offer that the
library does not?
- unpublished or previously inaccessible material
-- such as the digitized archives of museums and special collections
around the world
- electronic texts -- such as e-journals and
specialized "e-books" (electronic books with no printed
equivalent, such as Stephen King's Riding the Bullet)
- online discussion groups dedicated to various
topics -- an excellent way to gain new perspectives and stay informed on
topics of interest
- millions of websites from a vast array of organizations and
individuals
* What does the library offer that the
Internet does not?
- millions of documents (books, journals,
newspapers, and other published material) that pre-date the Internet and
are unlikely to ever be made available full-text on the Internet
- access to proprietary (i.e. for paid subscribers
only) databases
- tools to conduct historical research: print periodical indexes, backfiles on microfilm, etc.
- a high-quality, organized collection of
materials
- free access to e-books still protected by copyright
5. INFORMATION SOURCES ON THE INTERNET
The three most numerous and widely used
sources on the Internet are books, periodicals, and websites. Let’s take a brief look at each:
• Books: one of the most common sources of information, ideas, and
entertainment. Throughout human history, from the Bible to Hitler’s Mein Kampf, books have been the vehicle for conveying the
most honorable as well as the most contemptible accomplishments and
speculations of the human mind.
The complete text of some books can be found on the Internet. These are called online books or e-books,
and are accessible through websites such as
netLibrary, Google
Book Search and many others.
More commonly, however, you use the Internet to access book catalogs known as OPAC’s (Online Public Access Catalog) that
give you records describing printed books owned by libraries.
Books are divided into two categories: fiction and nonfiction:
- Fiction:
a narrative work of the imagination, i.e. a story.
Includes novels, short stories, drama, and poetry.
Fiction - Nonfiction: books that explain or comment upon facts and reality.
Examples include biography, history, scientific works, etc.
Nonfiction
• Periodicals (Serials): the term used to refer to newspapers, magazines,
and journals. They are called “periodicals” (or “serials”) because they
are published periodically, i.e. at regular intervals -- daily, weekly,
monthly, quarterly, or yearly. Newspapers and magazines offer information
geared to the general reader, whereas journals usually offer more scholarly
analysis and discussion.
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• Websites: A website
is a coherent collection of Web pages that are linked together and reside on that
part of the Internet known as the World Wide Web (aka the “Web”). Millions of
websites exist, offering vast amounts of information of varying credibility and
worth.
Website
This course will focus
on using the Internet to find and evaluate books, periodical articles, and
websites.
6. INTERNET SEARCH
TOOLS
There are 3 basic tools for searching the Internet:
* Web databases: organized collections of information created
and maintained by businesses, government agencies, professional and scholarly
groups, libraries, and many other credible organizations. Some are for paid subscribers only. Examples include: PsychInfo (for paid subscribers), PubMed (free), and library book catalogs (free).
* Web subject
directories: an online tool that lists selected websites (and other
Internet documents) arranged by subject category. Examples include: Google Directory and Yahoo! Directory.
A special type of subject directory that only lists websites known to contain
credible, high quality information is known as a selective directory.
Examples include the Internet Public Library and InfoMine.
* Web search engines: an online tool that provides keyword searching
to find websites (and other Internet documents)
You will learn the skillful use of each one of these
tools in this course.
7. PREPARING TO DO RESEARCH: SUBJECTS vs. TOPICS
You cannot do research effectively unless you have an
appropriate topic in mind. This will
depend on understanding the difference between a subject and a topic:
* SUBJECT: a broad area of interest
from which a more specific research
question can be chosen. Examples of
subjects include: illegal immigration, alcoholism, freedom of speech, computer
networks, elementary education, astronomy.
* TOPIC:
a question that
focuses on one particular aspect, event, controversy, issue, or dilemma within
the larger subject. It’s a relatively narrow area of interest that can be
thoroughly researched and discussed.
Given below are examples of subjects and research topics:
SUBJECT RESEARCH
TOPIC
The death penalty How does the death penalty affect violent crime
rates in the
Astronomy What are the latest scientific
discoveries about life on Mars?
Illegal immigration How does illegal immigration
affect job growth in the
The mass media What are the effects of media monopolies on news
reporting and editorial freedom?
The Internet What steps – if any – should the
government take to protect children from
pornography and sexual predators on the Internet?
8. GUIDELINES FOR CHOOSING A TOPIC
When formulating your topic, keep in mind the following guidelines:
*
Don’t choose a topic that is too broad or too narrow.
Too Broad: What causes homelessness?
Too
Narrow: How many homeless are in
Appropriately focused: How has deinstitutionalization of the mentally ill
contributed to the problem of homelessness?
*
Ask open-ended questions.
Notice that each of the
topic examples in section 7 are open-ended questions,
i.e. they are phrased in such a way that the researcher is deliberating
inviting varying perspectives. This open-minded approach to all viewpoints is
essential.
*
Avoid topics that are too speculative.
Avoid topics in which you are merely presenting your own opinion on a
philosophical or abstract topic. Good
research topics allow you to find facts, evidence, and objective discussions.
Too speculative: What is the difference
between a just and an unjust law?
*
Avoid topics that are too bland.
Choose a topic that will be interesting and intellectually challenging both
to you and your audience. Avoid
questions that fail to provoke thought or engage readers in a debate.
Too bland: How was the
* Your topic should have at least 2 main
ideas.
A well-formulated research question will always contain at least two
aspects or main ideas, referred to as concepts.
The concepts can be phrased in relation to each other, typically in one of the
following ways:
|
“What is the
effect of |
(concept #1)
on |
(concept #2)
?" |
|
"What
is the role of |
(concept #1)
in |
(concept #2)
?" |
|
"How
has the use of |
(concept #1)
affected |
(concept #2)
?" |
|
“Why has |
(concept #1)
led to |
(concept #2)
?” |
* Begin your research question with the words How, Why, or What.
Research questions beginning with these words automatically suggest a somewhat
broad investigation and substantive discussion, thus helping you avoid phrasing
your topic too narrowly. Avoid starting your research question with the words Who, Where, or When.
These words tend to force your research into a limited aspect of your subject
and you'll be unable to come up with enough material for your project.
9. OVERALL RESEARCH
STRATEGY
Successful research
depends in part on having an overall plan of action, or strategy, in mind. Therefore, before you set out to look for
information, ask yourself the following questions:
* Have I
formulated an appropriate research question?
* Which
academic discipline(s) cover my topic?
* What types of
sources might provide the information I seek?
-- books?
-- reference
sources?
-- periodicals?
-- Web sites?
-- specialized sources?
-- people?
* What types of information do I need?
-- scholarly?
-- non-scholarly? (i.e. “popular”)
-- professional?
-- primary sources?
-- secondary sources?
* How much information do I need?
* Which Web search tools are likely to
provide the information I seek?
-- Web databases?
--
Web subject directories?
--
Web search engines?
Answering these preliminary questions automatically provides you with an
overall plan of action to guide you in your research.
10. KEY POINTS TO
REMEMBER
* Research is the
process of gathering, evaluating, and interpreting information in order to
answer a particular question or problem.
* An astonishing amount and variety of
information is available on the Internet, a global network of
computer networks.
* The World Wide Web is a
large collection of information that’s available on the Internet, linked in a
sort of web.
* When using the Internet for research,
keep in mind both its strengths and its limitations.
* Skillful researchers know that the
Internet and libraries each have their own strengths and limits and will use
each as needed.
* There are 3 basic search tools for the
Internet:
* Web databases
* Web subject directories
* Web search engines
* Good research depends on beginning
with an appropriate topic. A topic
is a relatively narrow area of interest that can be thoroughly researched and
discussed. By contrast, a subject
is a broad area of interest.
* Before setting out to look for
information on your topic, there are some important preliminary questions to
ask yourself that will guide you in your research.
Go
to Tutorial:
Subject Guide Searching on Gale PowerSearch Databases
last revised: 1-23-08 by
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the source as: LSCI 100: Introduction to Information Online Research.
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