gary handman [email protected] 643-8566 doing tv research online: a crash course
TRANSCRIPT
Gary [email protected]
Doing TV Research Online: Doing TV Research Online: A Crash CourseA Crash Course
1. Describes organization of library information
2. Introduce selected sources for finding books and journal topics online
2. Introduce a group of basic moves and features common to many online catalogs and indexes.
3. Practice using these features in selected databases.
The (Library)The (Library)Information UniverseInformation Universe
•BooksBooks•Journals (Magazines) & Journals (Magazines) &
Newspapers Newspapers •Government docsGovernment docs
•MapsMaps•Media (video, sound Media (video, sound
recording, etc.)recording, etc.)•Computer files (e.g. CD-Computer files (e.g. CD-
ROMS)ROMS)•Online Resources Online Resources
DissertationsDissertations•ManuscriptsManuscripts•EphemeraEphemera
I’d rather beDoing research!
The Information Universe
Why a Book? Why a Journal Article?
The Information Universe
But how do you find this stuff? (along with a cute, available guy?)
The Information Universe
Library Catalog(s)
Journal/NewspaperIndexes
Inventory of what the Inventory of what the Library owns:Library owns:BooksBooksJournals (Journals (BUT NOT what’s BUT NOT what’s inside of them!!!!!!inside of them!!!!!!) )
Library Catalog Library Catalog
Search by:Search by:•AuthorAuthor•TitleTitle•Subject (keywords)Subject (keywords)
MediaMediaManuscripts, documents, Manuscripts, documents, maps…etc. etc. etc. etc.)maps…etc. etc. etc. etc.)
Bada-bing!OskiCat and Melvyl
The Information Universe: Books In the zone : the twilight world of Rod Serling / <1997>Author: Wolfe, Peter, 1933- Published: Bowling Green, OH : Bowling Green State University Popular Press, c1997.
Location(s): MAIN: PN1992.77.T87 W66
Get da Book in da Stax
Call #
The Information Universe: Finding ArticlesArticle Databases (Indexes/Abstracts)
• Databases produced by different commercial publishers; often look/act differently from one another.
• Regularly updated
• Allow subject/author searching in a group of journals in a particular discipline or topical area.
• Some indexes also offer abstracts-- short description of article content
I know! I’lldo my paper onMarilyn Manson!
Choosing an Articles database (index)Choosing an Articles database (index)
Look at the listings of article databases available via the library www.lib.berkeley.edu: includes listings by SUBJECT, NAME, etc.
General Databases are often good places to start (particularly for newsy/topical issues)
Gary’s Desert Island Index/Article Database List
NoNow Playing
GH Desert Island Index/Article Database List
NoNow Playing
•Academic Search Complete
•MLA Bibliography
•FIAF Index
•Communication Abstracts
All databases are not created equal (or by the same company)…All databases are not created equal (or by the same company)…
•Two possibilities:
•Links you to full-text Links you to full-text in ANOTHER article in ANOTHER article databasedatabase
OrOr
•Flips you over to Flips you over to MELVYL so you can MELVYL so you can locate a physical copy locate a physical copy of the journal at UCB of the journal at UCB or elsewhere.or elsewhere.
The Information Universe (Now)
But Remember: Not everything is online!!!!!:
•Article Databases: Generally only go back 10-20 yrs online (some exceptions – e.g. Historical Newspapers)
•Not every publication is indexed
•Fairly small (but rapidly growing) subset of the books and journal universe is currently available in full-text
Online is Cool
The Information Universe
Remember Also:
•Not every topic has lots written about it, either in books or journal lit.
--Research on very current topics--Research on radically specific topics--Research on topics off the beaten
academic track or off the pop culture radar
How to Begin? Before you click: THINK
•Formulate a concise, concrete statement of
the research problem•Formulate your search in terms of
keywords and key phrases:
The impact of television advertising and television violence on school performance and pre-adolesecent social interaction.
How to Begin? Before you click: THINK
•Think of synonyms for key words/phrases
The impact of television advertising and television violence on school performance and pre-adolesecent social interaction.
ChildrenYouthAdolescents…etc.
CommercialsAds…etc.Academic achievement
Grades…etc.
MediaTV…etc
Socialization, relationships,peer interaction…etc.
The Information Universe
What to do if nothing is turning up:
•Tweak your topic: Broaden it / select a different angle•Rethink your search strategy (new keywords, new concepts, etc.)•Bail out completely and choose another topic
A few cautionary words about research on the Net
LibraryLand
The NetGoogle Rocks!
Gooooogle Scholar???
Common Search Features:
--Save list of good stuff--Mail Articles/Citations to yourself
Connecting from off-campus
www.lib.berkeley.edu HELP: Connecting from Off Campus
TelevisionTelevision:
•Broadcast NewsBroadcast News = fergeddaboutit (or pay Vanderbilt)
•TranscriptsTranscripts: Vanderbilt TV Archive (news)—short summaries; Lexis/Nexis
•ProgramsPrograms = some in MRC
•Commercials and AdsCommercials and Ads = lots in MRC
See: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/MRC/primarysources.html