This document provides guidance on navigating research databases and the research process. It outlines the typical steps in the research process as 1) picking a topic, 2) determining where to search, 3) developing search terms, 4) finding relevant articles, and 5) writing the paper. It recommends starting searches in broad, multidisciplinary databases like Academic Search Complete and ProQuest Research Library. Subject specific databases contain more focused, specialized content. The document instructs on accessing full text articles from search results and outlines backup options if the full text is not available directly. It includes an example search strategy using keywords and Boolean operators. Finally, it describes an in-class activity where students will brainstorm search terms and search library databases related to

1. Navigating the research Databases Honors 110/ Fall 2010

2. What are the 4 steps in the Research Process? 1. Pick a topic 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Write the paper

3. What are the 4 steps in the Research Process? Pick a topic Where to search (databases) How to search (keywords) How to get it (find the article) Is what I’ve got any good Write the paper

4. Pros & Cons of Research Databases

7. Getting the Article… Step 1:Is the article available full-text in the database? No. Then follow these steps. Step 2: Mason Link Step 3: Go to the E-Journal Finder if no Mason Link Step 4: Mason Library Catalog Step 5:WRLC Consortium Loan Service Step 6:Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

8. HKANDR R HK Basic Search Concepts: Connecting Your Search Terms Hurricane Katrina AND rebuilding *Do Not Use:an, for, in, of, the, with *Other search options

9. Let’s try searching… Start at library homepage http://library.gmu.edu Click on Research Databases Choose the category Basic Topics Choose Academic Search Complete from list Follow along with the librarian’s search example

10. In-Class Activity Instructions: Every pair will have 2 activity sheets to complete. Spend 5-10 minutes brainstorming keywords based on your assigned topic. Search the Library’s research databases to find articles related to your topic. Please select: 1 person to type in the information in the computer & 1 person to record your observations. One person can do more than one job, but everyone should participate. Step 1: Go to the University Libraries Catalog http://library.gmu.edu Under Research Tools, click on Research Databases Step 2: Based on your assigned research question, brainstorm keywords to use when searching. Step 3: Using the keywords from Step 2, search one of the interdisciplinary research databases: Academic Search Complete OR ProQuest Research Library. You can also try searching a subject-specific database (Use the suggestions from the Infoguides or Databases by Topic). Find 3 articles that would be helpful in writing a scholarly, academic research paper. Think about why these articles would be helpful. Note: You can search multiple databases to complete this assignment.

11. Library Assignment Searching the Library’s research database Focus on your proposed topics for research paper If you don’t have a definite topic, think about possible topics. Available on Blackboard