Analyzing the question to identify the appropriate resource

SPRING 2003

LIBRARY STUDIES 301H

Information Research Methods and Systems

Analyzing the question to identify the appropriate resource

Question	Type of Resource	In the CAT, do a keyword search. In separate boxes, type..	On the E-Resource List A-Z	On the Web....[quick starts]
What is the definition of......? What are key issues in......?	Subject-specific dictionaries or encyclopedias [use for definitions or overviews in the content of a specialized field]/	your subject dictionaries your subject encyclopedias your subject handbooks, manuals	Encyclopedia Brittanica PSUL Online Reference	Librarians' Index to the Internet [reference] Britannica.com
How to conduct research in a discipline	Research manuals	your subject research your subject methodology your subject research - methodology	Subject-specific databases Dissertation Abstracts	.
How many......?	Use statistical resources to understand the scale of the issue, and to substantiate your position and support your claims	your subject statistics your subject handbooks, manuals	Lexis Nexis Statistical	U. Michigan Documents Center Statistical Resources on the Web
List of resources on..?	Bibliographies	your subject bibliography	.	.
Overviews/summaries of past research in ...?	Literature Reviews / Summaries of research	Your subject literature review or use a title search with: Annual review of broad subject or Advances in broad subject or Year's work in broad subject	.	Internet Scout Project Argus Clearinghouse InfoMine Librarian's Index to the Internet
What current research studies exist about ;;?	Scholarly research articles; Dissertations; Conference proceedings	For proceedings, type association name	Subject-specific databases Dissertation Abstracts Web of Science	Internet Scout Project Argus Clearinghouse InfoMine Librarian's Index to the Internet
What are specialized aspects of the topic?	More narrowly focused treatments	your subject social aspects or psychological aspects or United States or social conditions	.	.
Examples of the issue?	Case studies	your subject case studies	.	.
Recent news; current events?	Newspapers; Web pages		Lexis Nexis Academic; 'News Sources'; 'Newslibrary Online'	CNN MSNBC ABC
Is there any recent legislation....?	Government documents	your subject law and legislation	'Congressional/Legislative Resources'; Lexis Nexis Academic; Gov. Documents/Maps	Thomas U. Calif.
What interest groups care about this?	Identify associations, consumer and interest groups, etc. for contacts and supplemental literature	your subject directories your subject handbooks, manuals Name of group	Associations Unlimited	Librarians' Index to the Internet [organizations]
What does the public think about.....?	Opinion polls or surveys	public opinion or public opinion polls or your subject public opinion	Subject-specific databases + ProQuest; identify database terms for polls and surveys	Public Opinion Poll Question Database [UNC]
Need images?	Pictures; Images	your subject pictorial works	News Sources >>>Newspaper Photos	.
Need information about people?	Biographical information	your subject biography	Biography and Genealogy Master Index	World Biographical Index

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