Chapter 7: Gathering Materials

Preliminary Bibliography

A list compiled early in research process of works that look as if they might contain helpful information about topic.

Catalogue

A number used in libraries to classify all books and periodicals to indicate where they can be found on shelves. ~Can show book's availability and search through author, title, subject, or keyword.

Biographical Aid

A reference work that provides information about people and contains brief life and career facts

Virtual Libraries

A search engine that combines Internet technology with traditional library methods of cataloging and assessing data.

Advantage of using Internet

~More recent information that printed sources--look for copyright date, publication, and revision dates ~Trusted resources from printed words and found in electronic form, having undergone editorial review to ensure reliability

Examples of Databases

~ProQuest Research Library: Articles go back to 1988 ~Academic Search: Full text of articles and periodicals from newspapers ~Reader's Guide Full Text: Electronic counterpart of printed guide that can have abstract articles, full-text from periodicals ~Nexis Academic: Legal, news, reference, and business sources

Your own knowledge and experience

~When you are knowledgeable, need facts and figures, as well as personal examples ~Draw from personal experiences for more emotion and color

Searching the Internet

~World's biggest library not run by a specific person and provides a lot of information. ~A supplement and powerful research tool

1. Encyclopedia 2. Special Encyclopedia

1. Comprehensive reference that provides information about all branches of human knowledge--accurate and objective 2. Devoted to specific subject and goes into much more depth than general encyclopedias

Research Interview

An interview conducted to gather information for a speech

Sponsoring Organization

An organization that, in the absence of a clearly identified author, is responsible for the content of a document on the Internet. ~Check if it is objective ~.gov and .edu are more credible websites, .org for nonprofit organizations, and .com for businesses.

Librarians

Experts that are trained in library use and research methods that should be consulted to save time in locating sources and specific information

Newpapers

Invaluable for research on historical and contemporary topics. ~Current issues found in periodical room and back issues on microfilm

Search Engines

Key to finding materials on Internet ~Most popular search engine is Google. ~Need to search to zero in on required information

Abstract

Only the summary of the article or magazine ~Written by someone that is NOT the author ~Do NOT cite

Yearbook

Reference work published annually and contains information about previous year.

Periodical Databases

Research aid that catalogs articles from a large number of journals or magazines

After Interview

Review your notes as soon as possible to look for main points and specific information that is usable. ~Transcribe notes

Authorship

To find author's information on the internet, look through another site for their credentials.

Reference Words

Work that synthesizes a large amount of related information for easy access by researchers ~Found in Reference section

Before the Interview

~Define purpose of interview--have questions prepared ~Decide who to interview--usually best to interview leader due to their understanding ~Arrange interview ~Decide whether to record to check back later for direct quotes and important facts, take notes by hand ~Avoid questions that can show bias or loaded questions

During the Interview

~Dress appropriately and be punctual ~Restate purpose of interview ~Keep interview on track and pursue relevant leads with follow-up questions ~Listen carefully ~Do not overstay welcome

Tips for research

~Early start to collecting materials ~Make a preliminary bibliography ~Take plenty of notes that are consistent, separate entries, and distinguish from direct quotations and your own ideas ~Think about what you are finding in research

Types of Reference Works

~Encyclopedia ~Yearbooks ~Biographical Aid ~Quotation

Resources available for speech

~Interview of knowledgeable experts ~Research from Internet or library ~Personal experience or above-average knowledge of subject