Argues that business-communication instructors can aid students in their research by introducing them to the terminology and functions of an efficient Web-search process. Discusses the operation of four search tools: Web directories, search engines, indexes, and spiders or robots. Discusses Boolean logic, and other ways to improve the productivity…

This handbook is designed as an introduction to the process of library research in the field of education. To illustrate the process, a sample topic is developed from a broad concept through a well-developed topic for a research paper. Following an overview of a successful research strategy, the chapters are organized in the order of a typical…

The number of history reference works has proliferated at a tremendous rate in the past few decades. The effective use of these tools is one of the most important research skills of the historian. Bibliographies should be understood as more than just books that list books. The design and workings of these tools are meant to influence search…

This workbook contains 10 chapters describing the various phases of planning and conducting library research: (1) The Libraries at NCSU (North Carolina State University); (2) The Research Paper; (3) Understanding Call Numbers; (4) Locating Background Information Using Encyclopedias; (5) Locating Information in Books (including sections on using…

Designed to be used in an English course at the University of Houston, this library skills workbook includes lessons and multiple-choice exercises on the following topics: (1) a floor plan of the main university library; (2) catalog records; (3) catalog access points; (4) using the catalogs; (5) locating books; (6) encyclopedias; (7) dictionaries;…

This workbook is intended to teach education students information about basic library resources and information gathering techniques that are important in conducting educational research or writing a research paper. Most chapters are in the form of assignments which require students to use the reference materials for a specific purpose. Chapter 1…

This guide is designed to introduce students to the California State University at Long Beach Library. The first chapter discusses how to start searching for information--types of information sources, search strategy, choosing a topic and finding preliminary information, encyclopedias, and dictionaries. Topics related to catalogs and computers are…

Describes the Research Assistance Program that was developed for African American undergraduates to improve their library research skills. Topics include cognitive style of African American students; and skill objectives, including formulating a research topic, effective search strategies, discernment and source equivalence, and information…

This handbook is a guide to doing business research in a university library. Following library location and orientation information, the first section discusses the research paper, i.e., thinking about the topic and planning a research strategy, the flow of information over time, and evaluating sources. Finding and using books, journal articles,…

Teaching how to choose a research topic in a bibliographic instruction class should emphasize the underlying methods and principles of library research while making research tools as unobtrusive as possible. This approach teaches the basics of scientific inquiry and provides a structure in which to teach library skills. (EM)

This book is designed to help college students develop information and research skills. Twenty-one chapters cover the following topics: (1) "Information Content, Information Packages"; (2) "Reference Works: Finding Facts Fast"; (3) "Directories"; (4) "Biographical Dictionaries"; (5) "Encyclopedias"; (6) "Dictionaries, Thesauruses, and Other Word…

A series of study guides, which were developed to assist students in improving study and library skills, is reproduced for teachers' use. The guides cover test-taking skills; writing business letters; selecting a writing topic; plagiarism; developing search strategies; documentation; and locating dictionaries, periodical articles, books,…

College students were trained to do online searching in a mandatory research paper course. Bibliographies from student papers, search transcripts, questionnaires administered to students, the library's serials holdings, and interviews with instructors and librarians provided data for analyses of students' database and library searches and the…

The use of search strategy as a conceptual framework for teaching research techniques has long been a central concept of library instruction. It involves teaching analysis of research questions, understanding of structural differences in knowledge across disciplines, and evaluation of information. (MSE)

Discussion of the difficulties undergraduates have with the research process focuses on the research process of scholars and suggests guiding questions for students to ask. Highlights include finding a topic and its focus; selecting a search method; the role of the librarian; and evaluating Web sites. (Author/LRW)