PLS 201: Research Methods

1
PLS 201 Research Methods

• Dr. Jungkun Seo
• Ms. Sue Cody
• Day 2

2
Your Questions

• Library as Place
• Library Stats
• Getting Help
• Technology
• Databases
• Government Documents
• Evaluating Sources
• Search Tips

3
Databases

• Your questions?
• Which databases are your favorites? Why?

4
Search tips

• And, Or, Not
• And narrows Identify concepts
• Or adds synonyms/related
• Not excludes (use carefully)
• Start specific, be willing to revise
• Truncate for word variations
• Immigra immigrant, immigrants, immigration
• Words anywhere or phrase?
• public opinion

5
Government Documents

• Our collection
• 1965-became a depository
• 70 of depository items
• Finding aids
• Online catalog (1990-date)
• WorldCat
• Catalog of US Government Documents (1976-date)

6
Gov Docs Detailed search

• CQ Electronic Library
• About Congressional issues
• Lexis Nexis Academic
• Legal Codes Cases
• Govt Periodicals Index
• Lexis Nexis Congressional
• EbscoHost Military Govt
• Thomas (Congress)
• Randall Gov Docs web page

7
Other Specialized Databases

• Statistics
• Statistical Abstract of the United States
• Historical Statistics of the United States
• Lexis Nexis Statistical
• World Development Indicators
• LINC
• www.nationmaster.com

8
More Specialized Databases

• Polling Data
• Polling the Nations
• Odum Institute
• Pew Research Center
• ACRL Guide to Polling Data

9
Evaluating Sources

• Authority
• Scope
• Purpose
• Persuade or simply deliver?
• Accuracy
• Evaluating Websites
• Evaluating News Magazines

10
Getting Help

• Let me count the ways!
• Reference Desk
• Telephone [phone]
• Email libref_at_uncw.edu
• Chat randalldesk
• By Appointment http//library.uncw.edu/web/resear
  ch/rap.html
• codys_at_uncw.edu