Social Ecology SE 10                                                 Julia Gelfand

Research Design                                                         Science Library 228

Winter 2008                                                                824-4971

                                                                                    jgelfand@uci.edu

 

This handout will introduce you to library resources and services and lead you to how to conduct the research you need to complete the assignments for this course.  Hopefully, you will be able to translate the process to other research assignments you need to complete.  This quarter the UCI Libraries are open every day including the Martin Luther King and Presidents' Day Holidays.  Remember that the quarter passes quickly, so you will want to stay ahead of the deadlines.

 

In order to work efficiently in the Libraries, you may want to:

1)     master e-mail so that you can send results from conducting literature searches in different databases and file in e-mail folders for future reference

2)     consider learning how to use RefWorks, a form of Bibliographic Management Software to organize your results from searching databases or collecting citations - there are orientation classes in how to use this free web-based resource

3)     learn how to use ANTPAC and MELVYL – in order to access holdings

4)     access to library resources from off-campus - make sure that you can Connect from Off-Campus when you need to - access to licensed resources requires authentication - follow directions for one of the two options in using VPN.  If you have difficulties, contact NACS at 949-824-2222

 

Hours of the Libraries are: 

                        Monday - Thursday from 7:30am - 11pm

                        Friday from 7:30am - 9pm

                        Saturday from 9am – 9pm

Sunday from 10am - 11pm

Extended Study Centers are open until 3am

 

Hints for Research Project

  1. Read Research Project Handout carefully.
  2. Remember that group work requires everyone to carry their load and fulfill their responsibilities
  3. Make sure that you use Excel to enter your data
  4. Get topic, methods, consent and debriefing approved by TA before you start collecting any data
  5. Define your subtopic so that you can conduct your literature search - consider some synonyms that describe topic or major themes
  6. Look specifically for empirical articles - if you search PsycINFO you can restrict your search to contain empirical data by scrolling down and restricting the "Methodology" to "Empirical Study" - it may be helpful to consult the Database Guide to PsycINFO - this database goes back to 1806 so you want to restrict the dates of coverage right away
  7. Before you begin writing your research proposal, find about 5-6 relevant articles that will help you follow the proposed outline
  8. APA Style Guide to Electronic Resources, chapter 5 of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association has been revised for online content - see http://apastyle.org/elecmedia.html to make sure that your citations are correct
  9. Follow the proposed outline for the research proposal:

·           Title

·           Abstract - do not copy an abstract from an article; just use it as a model; sometimes it is best to write the abstract last so it really describes the paper or study

·           Introduction

·           Methods - can be searched in PsycINFO under Methodology - Empirical or a specific kind of study; remember to identify the Independent and Dependent variables - may be stated or you will have to determine from the data

·           Results/Findings

·           References - follow the APA style

·           Tables/Figures - can also be searched under supplemental data

 

You have four homework assignments to complete as requirements for this course.  Each of them introduces you to different research methodologies and documentation from the scholarly, academic and popular press literatures.  This handout illustrates how best to proceed with assignment #4.  If followed, you will have virtually no problem in getting things done correctly.  Plan your time accordingly and do not wait until the last possible moment to gain access to the resources you need! 

 

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT #1 - There are several different ways to approach this assignment. Following are hints for each of the four choices:

            1.  Choice 1: Altruism Research - consult at least one database and find two articles on altruism - you may consult a dictionary or thesaurus to determine what aspect will be covered by each database.  A list of databases can be explored and you may consider the Subject Headings, Social Sciences or Multidisciplinary.  Conduct a search that will help you answer the given questions and introduce you to the kind of studies that you must read that contain the kind of research that is described. 

Appropriate databases may include, PsycINFO, Sociological Abstracts, Expanded Academic ASAP, Pub Med, Criminal Justice Abstracts, Business Source Premier - make sure that you are reading scholarly articles containing research content.  Remember to restrict your search to journal literature as some of these databases include and index dissertations, government information, books and book chapters.

 

2.     Children and Shyness - it is best to read several research studies before you begin designing one - you will have abundant                opportunity to find appropriate content in , PsycINFO (search by keyword), Child Development & Adolescent Studies, ERIC

 

3.     Pace of life research - this opportunity to engage in the research process by observing people in as unobtrusive way as possible - you may observe consumer behavior, athletic activity, recreational relaxation, etc.  You can find some examples of this kind of research in  PsycINFO or Sociological Abstracts.

 

4.     Graffiti in Public Restrooms - general or social sciences databases will cover this subject and you can find again, an abundance of content in different environments, college campuses, public buildings, etc. 

 

Overall considerations - make sure that you have an accompanying coding sheet when it is requested - review your textbook for ideas about how this is accomplished.  Use the UC eLinks in the databases to determine if UCI has a fulltext online copy of the articles - remember to cite the article and CITATION means:

            Author(s)

            Title of the article

            Source of the article

            Volume #, Issue #, date and pages

            If online source, provide the DOI - Digital Object Identifier

 

There are many other reference tools that will help inform you on these topics providing background information and some references, and they include:

CQ Researcher

International Encyclopedia of the Social and Behavioral Sciences

EXTRA CREDIT ASSIGNMENTS - Regarding Opportunity #1B - lots of options here - Use ANTPAC to find all resources in the UCI Library Collection.  You can find newspaper articles by consulting the Subject Guide for News and Newspapers; browsing in the Langson Library Current Periodicals Room, and by searching the web.  There are many news sites and you can also search by theme or topic in Google Scholar for academic articles, book chapters.  Evaluating information from the Internet requires some pause and care.  Consider:   

1.     Authority

2.     Audience

3.     Purpose

4.     Objectivity

5.     Currency

6.     Coverage

7.     Accuracy

8.     Relevancy                                                        

OOTHER HINTS:        

                 1.  If you need to print or copy articles at the UCI Libraries, you will need to buy a copy card - available from machines throughout all libraries - when printing, save item and go to a network printer nearby to retrieve copy by using the key# you assigned it.  If you have a choice in printing the article, select option to print out the pdf using the printer icon instead of using the print option under "File"                 

                 2.  If you have need additional assistance for this assignment, contact Liaison Librarian or you may want to use reference services via  Ask   a Librarian to sign up for a Research Consultation with a reference librarian at either the Langson or Science Libraries.