Research Guides

Prepared by: Mrs. Priscilla “Prilla” Speer, M.L.S.  

Reference & Information Literacy Services and Module Three Instructor

TREVECCA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY

333 Murfreesboro Rd.

Nashville TN 37210-2877

615.248.1570

pspeer@trevecca.edu        

http://faculty.trevecca.edu/pspeer/

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WAGGONER LIBRARY AND

CENTER FOR INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY

Trevecca Nazarene University

333 Murfreesboro Road

Nashville, TN 37210-2877

For May Mini-Term, and holiday hours, please call the library

 Or check hours from the Waggoner Library Web site.

http://library.trevecca.edu/

Circulation Desk: 615-248-1214    Reference Desk: 615-248-1570

LIBRARY FACULTY

 

Mrs. Ruth Kinnersley Director of Library Services – Ext. 1491

General requests.  E-mail: rkinnersley@trevecca.edu 

Mrs. Prilla Speer, Reference & Information Literacy Services Librarian – Ext. 1347  Module Three Instructor, Research services.  E-mail: pspeer@trevecca.edu

Mrs. Judy Bivens, Instr. Resources Lib.– Ext. 1206 E-mail:         jbivens@trevecca.edu  

Mrs. Annette Harber, Serial Services Librarian – Ext. 1349 E-mail:  aharber@trevecca.edu

Ms. Paula Mate, Systems & Acquisition Services Librarian – Ext. 7732  Trouble accessing the web site or systems.  E-mail: pmate@trevecca.edu

Mrs. Beth Purtee, Interlibrary Loan Services Librarian – Ext. 1455

Athena loans, Interlibrary Loans and renewal of books. E-mail: bpurtee@trevecca.edu

Mrs. E. Ray Thrasher, Technical Services Librarian-1460 E-mail: rthrasher@trevecca.edu

MODULE THREE OVERVIEW                                                            

    Working adults who are continuing their education, like you, have a difficult time completing exhaustive information research. Yet, the research project that is a major component of the MHR program requires a substantial amount of research.  The Internet and its ease of use has dramatically changed the way libraries operate. Waggoner Library has simplified a part of your research by providing you with access (on and off campus) to full text journal & book databases.  In the Spirit of the Squirrel, you will find value in working hard gathering your sources to create a Ch. 2 that is worthwhile.  

    Module Three is designed to be a practical, hands-on approach to illustrating basic research principles and an introduction of primary online resources that will assist you in your project research.

• REQUIREMENTS - At the conclusion of Module Three, you will turn in an Annotated Bibliography (due 6 p.m., week 15) that will be compiled from information you have gathered during your research. The guidelines for developing the Annotated Bibliography follow the Project Thesis guidelines with a few additional requirements. See Appendix C for a sample annotated bibliography. The Annotated Bibliography is considered the Summary Paper for Module Three.

• ATTENDANCE IN MODULE THREE - You are expected to be in attendance from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. for Week 13 & 14.

• ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY - The Annotated Bibliography serves as the primary evaluation tool for the instructor to see the research you have obtained. No grade is assigned for this module. The Library Module instructor is required to sign your Project Thesis Topic Proposal, this signature indicates that there is sufficient published information available on your project topic to successfully complete the Chapter Two. This can be emailed to me or a print copy can be brought to class.

• REMINDER- If your group has a scheduled meal or snack time, you will want to make an alternative plan during the library module as no food or drink is allowed.

SCHEDULE /ASSIGNMENTS DUE                                    

THE RESEARCH PROCESS                                                                   

         Whether you need to analyze the cost-effectiveness of computerizing a manufacturing process or locate a recipe for chocolate mousse, the research process will be the same. Likewise, performing a computer search and using an online database like ProQuest Direct is the same process. You may not consciously think of each step of the process, but you do them just the same.

 The Idea

         The first thing any researcher must do is to Conceptualize The Idea. You will already have selected a topic for your research when you begin this module. That’s the hardest part! The second step is to take your topic and Analyze the Key Terms. Your topic, or problem, will generally contain several terms or interrelated subjects. If you can, separate each concept and begin to think of synonyms or related words for each concept. 

Sample Topic: the effect of wages on employee morale.  

         Every periodical index, every card catalog, and electronic database has a standard list of subject terms that are used consistently throughout that particular index. They generally are not the same list from index to index, however.

  Problem or Solution?

         It is important to remember the difference between the PROBLEM and the SOLUTION. Your research will be easier if you approach the problem and look for possible solutions, instead of trying to find documentation to support your proposed solution. The terms highlighted in the examples below are your subject terms.

Solution         My Company wants to install an expensive theft detection system.

Problem       How can a small manufacturing firm eliminate inventory loss due to theft?

Solution         I want to get the hospital to raise salaries of nurses.

Problem      Staff turnover is very high in my department. What can be done to reduce it?

TREVECCA's  ACADEMIC HONESTY STATEMENT                                    

Academic Honesty is expected of all students at TNU. Plagiarism, using another’s statements or thoughts without giving credit, submitting for credit a borrowed or purchased paper, falsifying documentation, these types of infractions can result in course failure and/or program termination. Refer to Student Handbook for more information.

The PAC is your guide to book, periodical and media resources in the library. It is accessed from the library’s Web site http://library.trevecca.edu/

Search On the Library homepage enter the topic you want searched in the search box. After typing in your word or phrase you need to select the tag for your topic; subject, author, title, keyword or journal title.  Simply click on the tag you want to search and then the ‘Search’ button.

Keyword VS Subject Searching Keywords are searched by the database simply by matching the spelling of the word/phrase-NO meaning is attached.  Searching by subject (or author and title) will attach a meaning to the spelling creating a better result list.  If you cannot find any titles after searching by subject, enter your terms in as a keyword search.  This will broads the search.

Advanced Search provides options to search the Reserve Room and Electronic Journal Titles as well as Basic Search options of Author, Title, and  Subject.

Search  Athena   If you need book materials to supplement the TNU collection, click on the Search ATHENA button on the Library web page.  This virtual online catalog provides access to several local area libraries including Trevecca, MTSU, Vanderbilt, Nashville Public Library, and TSU. Retrieved titles can be ordered online for no cost.  They will be couried to Trevecca for pickup.  See ILL section for detailed information on requesting books located through Athena.. 

Searching online full text books (ebooks)/netLibrary  About 20,000 ebooks are integrated into the library holdings and can be searched through the PAC or you can go directly to the netLibrary Web site.  Students must create an account to receive checkout privileges and other services. Free accounts must be created on campus or through Citrix if accessing from off campus.

Journal Searching

      By journal title:  From the library homepage, enter the name of the journal in the search box near the top. Change the tag to read “Journal Title” then enter.  If your journal is full text in one of our databases the result will include a link to the database where you can access the full text.  If there were no hits you can complete online an ILL form requesting a journal article reprint. Allow 7 days for receipt of the reprint. http://library.trevecca.edu

By subject: 

Search MetaFind, on the menu from the library homepage, will search all databases the library subscribes to with one search statement.  It takes a bit of time to process, if you are using a phone  connection as your Internet access, you may want to just go directly to a database. http://library.trevecca.edu/

Electronic Resources Link: Choose a general database or scroll down to see a subject list of Internet sites and subscriber databases arranged by department.  Accessing databases off campus access requires you to provide your name and the ID number from your student ID.   http://library.trevecca.edu/screens/internet.html

    Result List The search result list appears in the order a record was entered into the catalog.  The holdings line provides call number as well as indicates whether a book has been checked out by using the phrase “No copies available.”  Also included in the library holdings are ebooks from netLibrary which are indicated by the phrase [electronic resource] in the title line.

       Checking out/Renewing library books Books are checked out at the Main Desk with a maximum of ten books for at least four weeks. Your TNU I.D. card serves as your library card. Books cannot be checked out from the Web site.

Materials can be renewed online.  From the library home page click on the “My Account” link on the menu. Follow instructions to view your account. The renew link will appear on the screen.  Books cannot be renewed if they are overdue.

INTERLIBRARY LOAN PROCESS                                                      

                  The ILL Process: All transactions for ILL are handled through the Interlibrary Loan Services Librarian, main floor of the library. Requests can be emailed directly to Beth Purtee (bpurtee@trevecca.edu) or a form can be completed.  Obtain forms from the Circulation Desk or complete an online form on the library Web site.  Allow 7-10 days for the requested book to arrive and 7 days for article reprints.  Both items are sent to the Library for pickup.

•  Books:  Books generally have a three to four week checkout period.  Turnaround time for book requests is about 7 working days. There are no fees for this service however, late fine charges for ILL books are $.50 per day.

• Journal Article Reprints: If a journal is unavailable at TNU a reprint of it can be ordered for no cost. Allow 7 days for delivery of the article.

Searching Online Full Text/Abstracted Databases                                   

In many cases, the information located from electronic resources/databases is more current and up-to-date than information found in books. Waggoner Library has different types of electronic resources; online full text; and online abstracted.  Using our example, the effect wages on employee morale, what index/database would cover this topic the best?

                       Online Full Text/Abstracted databases

          ProQuest Direct (PQD) – ProQuest has four “Search Methods.” The first is Basic, a keyword search. Advanced search allows choices for attaching meaning to your words/phrases. A Topic search allows you to browse by subject and a Publication searches journal titles.  

                 A result list is displayed identifying retrieval options.  You can view or print a record in one of four ways; Citation (bibliographic format), Abstract (bibliographic plus a short summary), or Full Text (bibliographic plus abstract plus complete text) and Page Image.  Icons indicate format choices.  To select, simply click on the icon and it will display that format.  Articles can be printed or emailed to your personal Internet account.  PQD can be accessed from all workstations in the library, all campus computer labs, and by user login allowing remote access off campus. 

 * InfoTrac Databases or Tennessee Electronic Library                        

         The Tennessee Electronic Library is a collection of InfoTrac databases that provide a significant number of full text articles.  Access is through the library Web site “Internet Resources” page.  Password “elvis” is needed to access off campus.  Subject collections include “Business,” “Health Reference Center,” and “Expanded Academic.”  Search screen/method is the same for every database.

         Result List indicates article length following the word “view.”  Print and email options follow the text of the article. 

  Business Source Premier   [EBSCO]                                                           

BSP is the primary full text database for business related articles.  Harvard Business Review is available full text from BSP as well. 

Retrieving the full text of abstracted/citation only articles                     

          WebBridge links are provided within databases linking you to other full text locations in the library holdings for those articles that only have citation or abstracts. WebBridge provides links to other databases, links to the library catalog for print or microfilm information and provides a link for interlibrary loan if needed. 

EFFECTIVE DATABASE SEARCH STRATEGIES                                

         To get the best results when you search our databases there are some basic strategies you can employ.  *Remember you are in control of your research process and its results!

 Keyword Vs Subject: The computer cannot differentiate between the same words used in different contexts. This can result in “crazy” citations. For example, in searching for a hospital manual on hand-washing techniques for floor personnel, using the term Sterilization is not good because references to Birth Control will also be retrieved.

This is why databases have an advanced search option that

will allow attaching a meaning to your search terms/phrases.

 In ProQuest it is “Advanced” search and in InfoTrac it is “Advanced Search.”   InfoTrac also provides a list of possible subject headings when your search is very broad.  These options are provided to allow you to have control over your search and the end result will be a more relevant bibliography.

 When you get zero hits on your result list: Check your spelling.  Verify that the database you are using is appropriate to your topic. Make sure that you haven’t entered too many words into the search box.  When several words/phrases are entered your results will reflect how narrow your search was, in this case, generalize more and relate what literature is available in a broader sense to your more specific topic.

 INTERNET RESEARCH STRATEGIES                

       Most of you are already subscribers to Internet Service providers such as AOL or Bellsouth. net and are already Internet users in some way. The Internet can provide you with access to other libraries, “chat rooms,” or even provide full text services.

•  Search Engines.  Search engines index the Internet in much the same way as the PAC indexes the library’s card catalog. In order to use the search engine effectively, look at the “Help” section.  Here will be detailed search techniques that will help you create more relevant search results.  Google (http://www.google.com) is a search engine I recommend you try.  You get very high quality relevant results.

• Quality Control.  There is no authority reviewing the information that you locate on the Internet. No one polices the net to make sure information is factual. You need to question every Web site you look at to determine their authority for publishing that information. The library can provide you with some quality URL’s that will enable you to begin to access information on the Internet.

• Alternatives to ILL: Check your local public library, they too can request a title from other library branches.  “Local Libraries” from the library’s Web site has URL’s for several area libraries allowing you to check their catalogs over the Internet.

 Documenting Sources Using MLA Style                             

            The Project Thesis requires you use the MLA (Modern Language Association) Documentation  Style when writing your thesis. Online databases offer a special challenge to documentation.  Below you’ll find how to cite journal articles you’ve located from PQD or InfoTrac.

            Note that the article title is enclosed in quotations.  The source or journal name is italicized.  You could also underline the source.  Just do the same thing for every article you cite.  Note that the page numbers are just the numbers.

The last four pieces (PQD. Trevecca Nazarene University, Nashville. 7 July 2003) are added only if you viewed the article from an online database such as PQD.  They tell the reader that the article came from an electronic source and the date they were viewed or accessed.  If you used an article from a bound, microfilm or paper copy you do not add this information to your citation.  If you used InfoTrac, simply substitute InfoTrac for the PQD.

Article page numbers in some databases are not complete.  You may be given a beginning page and an estimate as to how many pages it will take to print your article but you are not given an ending page number.  The way this will be cited using MLA style would be the beginning page number followed by a plus sign.  The plus sign indicates that the article is continued on following pages.  Should look like this: 54+ .

 Parenthetical Citation:    Author       (Feuer 45)          

Comments:  PQD/TEL and other articles located online/Internet do not have page breaks identified.  When you cite an article within Ch. 2 you are required to include the page number your information came from.  Sometimes databases do not identify specific page numbers, the MLA 6^th ed states that you only use the author, no page number is needed.  Accuracy and quality control is important in your research. Waggoner Library has the complete MLA Handbook for referral and there are several Web sites that provide online MLA versions.

Appendix A: Online Database Descriptions                                            

ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials – an online full text database of journals indexed in the ATLA Religion Indexes also including abstracts and citations for religion related topics.  ATLASerials is an ongoing collection of religious journals.

Business Source Premier – an online database providing full text business and economic articles.  Harvard Business Review is full text in this database.

Christian Periodical Index – an online abstracted index to religious publications not commonly found in the major indexes such a Holiness Today.

ERIC – Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) is a database that covers all aspects of education. From recreation programs for prison inmates to training interns how to work with closed head injured patients to the traditional education topics like classroom management. There are two types of materials indexed in ERIC, ED’s (ERIC Documents) which are reproduced full text on microfiche or available online through the new ERIC site [http://www.eric.ed.gov] and EJ’s (ERIC Journals) which are located by journal title within the library’s periodical collection. ERIC can be searched through ProQuest.

ERIC Plus Text Linking the entire ERIC database with full-text and/or full-image articles only from nearly 260 leading journals, ERIC PlusText, part of part of ProQuest. It is a primary source for any educationally related topic.

The SearchERIC site includes thesaurus browsing, a search wizard, as well as expert searches to choose from.  http://searcheric.org   Syracuse University sponsors the Educators Reference Desk at http://www.eduref.org/ Along with searching the database this site includes lesson plans, TV companion guides.

Hoover's Academic - provides marketing and research data necessary in creating effective marketing plans for all types of companies and products.

InfoTrac Databases/TEL– The Tennessee Electronic Library provides access to a collection of InfoTrac databases.  Many of the articles are available full text online. It is accessible from the library’s Web site “Databases” link. The password “elvis” is needed when accessed off campus. The collection includes the following databases:

• Professional Collection – 1980-present. Aspects of education.
• Business & Company ASAP – 1980 – present.  All aspects of business and management topics. Includes directory listings for over 150,000 companies as well as information on Finance, Trade, New Technologies, Trends and more.
• Computer Database – 1980-present. Computer applications & products.
• Religion and Philosophy – 1980-present. 
• Expanded Academic ASAP – 1980 to present. From arts and the humanities to social sciences, science and technology, across all academic disciplines.
• Military and Intelligence – includes some basic reference materials that are updated annually: The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia and The World Almanac and Book of Facts.  Additionally included are more than 500 titles and more than 10 million articles.
• Health Reference Center Academic
• - 1996 to present. Fitness, Pregnancy, Medicine, Nutrition, Diseases, Public Health, Occupational Health & Safety. The material contained in this database is for informational purposes only.

Hoovers Academic - delivers comprehensive company, industry, and market intelligence that drives business growth. Our database of 12 million companies, with in-depth coverage of 40,000 of the world's top business enterprises,

Library Literature & Information Science – This full text online database, part of WilsonWeb, is accessed from the Databases link on the library Web site.  Covers all aspect of librarianship and information science.

netLibrary- about 20,000 full text ebooks. An account must be created to check out books online.

PQD (ProQuest Direct) –This online full text database covers all major subject areas.  It is accessible from all workstations in the library, computer labs on campus as well as can be accessed off campus with an account number and password.  PQD is very complementary to the InfoTrac databases.

ProQuest Digital Dissertations – This online abstracted database provides access to all dissertations published in the United States. Access it from the library’s “Internet Resources” page. Many results include a significant summary of the dissertation.  To obtain a complete copy you must order it through Interlibrary Loan.  

PsycARTICLES  Full text articles from about 40 selected APA published psychology journals.  Accessed through ProQuest.

PsycINFO - An abstracted online database that is the authoritative source in the field of psychology.  It is the electronic version of Psychological Abstracts. PsycINFO indexes professional journal articles as well as dissertations in the field of psychology.  Dissertations have to be ordered using Interlibrary Loan.                                          

Social Science Full Text – A full text online database, part of WilsonWeb, covering all aspects of the social sciences; social welfare, social work, psychology from 1995 - present.                   
Value Line Investment Survey  allows you to locate company data to assist with investment strategies.

Important Disclaimer!  Online databases may change their format, search strategies and topics indexed at any given time.    Consequently, Waggoner library may even drop a database if cost to maintain it becomes too prohibitive.  When you come into the library for Module Three you will receive the most up to date information regarding databases.  If you need assistance prior to Module Three please call or email me,  pspeer@trevecca.edu or library@trevecca.edu

Appendix B: TNU Waggoner Library Services for Off-Site MHR students    

1. Search the Library catalog via the Web: http://library.trevecca.edu

Enter keyword terms or a subject term or title term in the Quick Search box. Select the correct tag and begin your search or click on “Advanced Search” for more options.

2. Once you find the books you are looking for, send e-mail to library@trevecca.edu.  Besides your name, telephone number, and mailing address; be sure to include the author, title, and call number of the books you want.

3. If it’s journal articles you’re looking for, select the “Journal Title” tag from the Catalog Search box on the Library’s web page.  If your title is not in our catalog,  send us e-mail with the author, title of the article, title of the journal, date, and page numbers, as well as your name, telephone number, and mailing address.  We will order a r