Concordia University, St. Paul - Online Orientation Materials http://orientation.csp.edu Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:32:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 en Primary-V-Secondary-Information http://orientation.csp.edu/library/primary-v-secondary-information/ http://orientation.csp.edu/library/primary-v-secondary-information/#comments Wed, 19 Sep 2007 18:34:03 +0000 borkenhagen http://orientation.csp.edu/library/primary-v-secondary-information/ Primary Sources

Primary sources are original materials or records of events as they were first described. They were either created during that particular time period or later by a participant in the studied event. They form the basis for subsequent interpretations or studies.

Primary research would be research that investigates a new problem or issue, or investigates a longstanding issue with a new approach. Also called Field Research, it focuses on collecting data that has not before been gathered.

Secondary Sources

Seconday sources often attempt to interpret, explain, or analyze primary sources. Literature reviews and textbooks are examples of secondary sources. Some secondary sources also attempt to persuade the reader to a particular point of view.

Encyclopedias, textbooks, reviews are all examples of secondary sources.

Secondary research, also called desk research, involves the description, summary, collation, synthesis, explanation, or review of primary research.

Primary Sources Secondary Sources
Art Original artwork Critical review
Theatre Video of play Review of play
History Diaries & Memoires Analysis of Nixon years
Literature Poem, novel Critique of poem, history of the novel
Political Science Treaty Article on Native American rights
Anthropology Article on Native American rights Comparison of two ethnographic studies
Market Research Original data about product & market Census bureau information & Nielsen ratings
]]> http://orientation.csp.edu/library/primary-v-secondary-information/feed/ Introduction to the Library http://orientation.csp.edu/library/introduction-to-the-library/ http://orientation.csp.edu/library/introduction-to-the-library/#comments Tue, 04 Sep 2007 16:36:18 +0000 borkenhagen http://orientation.csp.edu/uncategorized/introduction-to-the-library/ http://orientation.csp.edu/library/introduction-to-the-library/feed/ Citation Styles and Guides http://orientation.csp.edu/library/citation-styles-and-guides/ http://orientation.csp.edu/library/citation-styles-and-guides/#comments Fri, 31 Aug 2007 16:49:45 +0000 knoll http://orientation.csp.edu/library/citation-styles-and-guides/ Correctly citing the sources used for a research project is important. It is your acknowledgment of the author of an idea as well as allowing those who read your work to find the sources you used. There are several citation styles used, however the two most common are APA and MLA. Below are sources you can use to guide you in correctly citing your sources.

Web resources

Library Resources

  • Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5th edition
    • R808.06615 P96 2001 (Reference Collection)
    • LIB 001 (Reserves Shelf)
  • MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 5th edition
    • R808.027 G35m5 1999 (Reference Collection)
  • MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 6th edition
    • LIB 001 (Reserves Shelf)
]]> http://orientation.csp.edu/library/citation-styles-and-guides/feed/ Types of Journals http://orientation.csp.edu/library/types-of-journals/ http://orientation.csp.edu/library/types-of-journals/#comments Fri, 31 Aug 2007 16:49:17 +0000 knoll http://orientation.csp.edu/library/types-of-journals/ Use the grid below to help you determine if a journal is a scholarly, trade, or popular publication. You can also use this grid to help you determine if an article retrieved using an online database is scholarly, trade, or popular. If you do not have the entire journal to look at some of the characteristics may not be easily recognizable. Important fields that can still guide you in distinguishing between the different types of publications are publisher, author identification, level of coverage, and bibliographic citations.

  Research/Scholarly Journal Professional/Trade Journal Magazine/Popular
  Ex: Journal of Music Therapy Ex: The Church Musician Ex: Rolling Stone
Publisher Often a University or Scholarly Association Professional or Trade Association Commercial Publisher (with profit motive)
  Ex: National Association for Music Therapy Ex: Sunday School Board of So. Baptist Conven, Worship & Church Music Division Ex: Straight Arrow Publishers
Intended Audience Other researchers or scholars in the field Other professionals or practitioners in the field Audience often targeted by age, sex, hobby or other interests
  Ex: Members of the association and interested scholars Ex: Music leaders, pastors, music planning groups Ex: Those interested in popular culture/entertainment
Author Identification & Qualifications Usually provides affiliated institution, educational background, etc. Usually aidentifies occupation, employer, affiliated institution, educational background, etc. Usually signed, not qualifications, often staff or free-lance writers
  Ex: Affiliated institution & those who make major contributions to research Ex: Affiliated instution & career background Ex: Most signed, no info given
Level of Coverage Primary info source, report of original research, often with literature review Secondary source of info, Application of resarch or successful method of operation Informational, “popular” level of writing, may report on research and give overview coverage, read for entertainment
  Ex: Original research Ex: Interviews, “We did it” Ex: Interviews, reviews
Bibliographic Citations Usually extensive bibliographic with literature review of pertinent research May cite research articles or books May acknowledge source of information in article, usually no bibliographic citations
  Ex: 2-3 page bibliography Ex: No bibliography or citations Ex: No bibliography, an excerpt from a book
Format Text with charts or graphs, “cheap” paper, not attention getting Variety of info, professional news, jobs, glossy appearance, color illustrations Attention getting, glossy, filled with color, photos, vairety of presentation & type
  Ex: Charts & graphs, non-glossy paper Ex: Colorful, attention getting, news of association members Ex: Yes
Advertising No advertising Ads directed to professionals or practitioners, equipment, supplies, jobs Filled with variety of ads, from toothpaste to cars, may also be directed to targeted audience
  Ex: No ads Ex: Few ads directed to church musicians, materials, bks, etc. Ex: Cigarettes, cars, clothes, electronics, sports equipment, alcohol
Indexing Often self indexted at end of volume, indexed in both specific subject and broad discipline indexes May be self-indexted, both specific subject and broad discipline indexes, occassionaly in comprehensive general indexes Indexed in magazine indexes
  Ex: Specific subject and broad discipline indexes Ex: Self & Christian Periodical Index Ex: Reader’s guide and ProQuest
]]> http://orientation.csp.edu/library/types-of-journals/feed/ Evaluating Information http://orientation.csp.edu/library/evaluating-information/ http://orientation.csp.edu/library/evaluating-information/#comments Fri, 31 Aug 2007 16:49:06 +0000 knoll http://orientation.csp.edu/library/evaluating-information/ There is a lot of information available on the web. Some of it is useful for scholarly research, and much of it is not. The list below can help you decide if the websites you find are useful for your research.

Five Criteria for Evaluating Web Pages
Evaluation of Web Documents How to interpret the basics
1. Accuracy of Web Documents

  • Who wrote the page and can you contact him or her?
  • What is the purpose of the document and why was it produced?
  • Is this person qualified to write this document?
 Accuracy

  • Make sure author provides e-mail or a contact address/phone number.
  • Know the distinction between author and webmaster
2. Authority of Web Documents

  • Who published the document and is it seperate from the “webmaster?”
  • Check the domain of the document, what institution publishes the document?
  • Does the publisher list his or her qualifications?
 Authority

  • What credentials are listed for the author(s)?
  • Where is the document published? Check URL domain.
3. Objectivity of Web Documents

  • What goals/objectives does this page meet?
  • How detailed is the information?
  • What opinions (if any) are expressed by the author?
 Objectivity

  • Determine if the page is a mask for advertising; if so information might be biased.
  • View any web page as you would an infomercial on television. Ask yourself why was this written and for whom?
4. Currency of Web Documents

  • When was it produced?
  • When was it updated?
  • How up-to-date are the links (if any)?
 Currency

  • How many dead links are on the page?
  • Are the links current or updated regularly?
  • Is the information on the page outdated?
5. Coverage of the Web Documents

  • Are the links (if any) evaluated and do they complement the documents’ theme?
  • Is it all images or a balance of text and images?
  • Is the information presented cited correctly?
 Coverage

  • If page requires special software to view the information, how much are you missing if you don’t have the software?
  • Is it free or is there a fee to obtain the information?
  • Is there an option for text only, or frames, or a suggested browser for better viewing?
Putting it all together

  • Accuracy. If your page lists the author and institution that published the page and provides a way of contacting him/her and…
  • Authority. If your page lists the author credentials and its domain is preferred (.edu, .gov, .org, or .net), and…
  • Objectivity. If your page provides accurate information with limited advertising and it is objective in presenting the information, and…
  • Currency. If your page is current and updated regularly (as stated on the page) and the links (if any) are also up-to-date, and…
  • Coverage. If you can view the information properly - not limited to fees, browser technology, or software requirement, then…

You may have a higher quality web page that could be of value to your research!

FROM: Kapoun, Jim. “Teaching undergrads WEB evaluation: a guide for library insturction.” C&RL News (July/August 1998): 522-523.
]]> http://orientation.csp.edu/library/evaluating-information/feed/ Google Scholar http://orientation.csp.edu/library/google-scholar/ http://orientation.csp.edu/library/google-scholar/#comments Thu, 30 Aug 2007 20:32:56 +0000 knoll http://orientation.csp.edu/library/google-scholar/ Google Scholar

Google Scholar makes it possible to search for scholarly literature on the web. Using this tool, one can find peer-reviewed papers, theses, books, preprints, abstracts and technical reports in many disciplines.

Search Options
Google Scholar offers both Basic Scholar Search and Advanced Scholar Search options. The basic search looks the same as Google’s regular basic search. The advanced search allows for more accurate and effective searching with the following tools:

  • Specify whether to search for ALL of the words, with an EXACT PHRASE, with AT LEAST ONE of the words, WITHOUT certain words
  • Search in a particular domain (e.g. .edu, .org, .gov, etc.)
  • Search by author or publication information
  • Limit to broad areas of study

Positive aspects: Google Scholar is a helpful tool for finding out about the existence of scholarly resources beyond the library’s catalog and subscription databases.

Negative aspects: Not everything found with Google Scholar is available in full text through Google Scholar. If you are not finding full text, take the citations you do find and search Journal Finder or CLICnet to find out if you have access to the full text via Concordia or set your preferences to show when full text is available through Concordia’s online collection (see below for instructions on setting your preferences). You can also request the resource via interlibrary loan. Also, Google Scholar does not offer a controlled vocabulary (e.g. Subject Headings in CLICnet), so this makes searching Google Scholar less precise than searching a database.

Customizing Google Scholar for Your Library
Setting Google Scholar to link to Concordia University Library’s holdings

  • Go to Google Scholar.
    You can do this in a couple of ways.

    • One option is to choose more from the Google homepage, www.google.com.
    • Then choose “Scholar” from the list.
    • You can also go directly to http://scholar.google.com.
    • Select “Scholar Preferences,” found next to the search box.
    • Type “Concordia University” in the “Library Links” search box.
    • Click on “Find Library.”
  • Place a check in the “Concordia University, St. Paul” box, and click on “Save Preferences.”
  • Perform a search and any items with online holdings at Concordia will have a link to those items.
]]> http://orientation.csp.edu/library/google-scholar/feed/ Policies on Interlibrary Loan http://orientation.csp.edu/library/policies-on-interlibrary-loan/ http://orientation.csp.edu/library/policies-on-interlibrary-loan/#comments Thu, 30 Aug 2007 20:11:45 +0000 knoll http://orientation.csp.edu/library/policies-on-interlibrary-loan/ What is Interlibrary Loan (ILL)?

ILL is a service used to get books and journal articles that are NOT available at Concordia’s Library Technology Center or CLICnet.

Can I use ILL?

Yes, you may use ILL services if you are a currently enrolled student, faculty, or staff member at Concordia University, St. Paul. You must have a valid Concordia ID to place requests. You may be denied ILL service if you have unresolved overdue fines or if you abuse the service by not picking up the items that you order.

What can be requested?

Books not available or checked out on CLICnet may be reuqested through ILL. CLICnet materials should be requested by placing a hold in CLICnet. Please do not use ILL for CLIC materials.

Journal articles not available through Concordia’s print and database collections may be requested through ILL.

Faculty and staff may request materials located through the United States. Gradulate students may request materials located through the United States when they are doing research for their Master’s theses. Undergraduate student requests are limited to materials found within Minnesota.

How do I request ILL materials?

Check CLICnet to see if Concordia or CLIC own the book or journal; ILL is not available for materials owned by Concordia. If books are found at another CLICnet school, please place an electronic hold (or request) for that book. Choose the red Request button, enter your name and 14 digit number found on your student ID, and choose the library at which you would like to pick it up. You will be notified when these materials arrive at the library.

For books not found in CLICnet and journal articles not available through the print or online collection, you may use the online ILL forms. These forms can be located by choose the Forms/Requests link from the Help menu on the library page. Next, click on Interlibrary Loan Forms and then choose the link for the type of material you want to request.

How long does ILL take?

CLICnet items take 1-3 days to arrive. There is a twice-a-day delivery service between the CLIC libraries September through May and once a day during the summer months.

Items from libraries in Minnesota take up to 2 weeks for delivery.

Items from libraries outside of Minnesota take up to 3 weeks for delivery.

PLAN AHEAD! Delivery from any library will depend on the availability of the requested materials. if we need to submit requests to several holding libraries to find an available copy, the request will take longer to fill.

It is important to give a need by date; this would be the LAST possible day you can use the material. If you do not give a need by date, we will assume that you have a 30-day deadline.

How much does ILL cost?

There is no charge for patrons using the ILL service. The cost to Concordia University’s Library Technology Center, however, can be significant; therefore, we ask that you be selective in your requests.

Books are free unless the lending library charges for the loan of the material. We will notify you about possible charges and you may cancel the request or pay the requested amount.

Payment of fees is due at the time of pickup, or fees will be assessed to your student account.

Complete List of ILL Policies and Procedures

]]> http://orientation.csp.edu/library/policies-on-interlibrary-loan/feed/ Policies on Mailing Books http://orientation.csp.edu/library/policies-on-mailing-books/ http://orientation.csp.edu/library/policies-on-mailing-books/#comments Thu, 30 Aug 2007 20:11:17 +0000 knoll http://orientation.csp.edu/library/policies-on-mailing-books/ Students living outside of the Twin Cities metro area can request to have items mailed to their home.  They can request these items through the library catalog, CLICnet.  When you find an item that you want to check out, click on the red Request Item button.  The first time that you request items, please contact the library Reference Desk at reference@csp.edu or at 651-641-8812, so a note can be placed in your record stating that items should be mailed to you.  The only cost for you is the return postage.

]]> http://orientation.csp.edu/library/policies-on-mailing-books/feed/ CLICnet http://orientation.csp.edu/library/clicnet/ http://orientation.csp.edu/library/clicnet/#comments Thu, 30 Aug 2007 20:11:00 +0000 knoll http://orientation.csp.edu/library/clicnet/ CLICnet is the library catalog of Cooperating Libraries in Consortium (CLIC), of which Concordia is one library.  Use CLICnet to find books and other materials available in Concordia’s collection and to request materials from the collections of the other CLIC libraries.

]]> http://orientation.csp.edu/library/clicnet/feed/ Journal Finder http://orientation.csp.edu/library/journal-finder/ http://orientation.csp.edu/library/journal-finder/#comments Thu, 30 Aug 2007 20:10:47 +0000 knoll http://orientation.csp.edu/library/journal-finder/ http://orientation.csp.edu/library/journal-finder/feed/