UCB Libraries

Focussing a Topic

| Finding Background Information

| Finding Reference Sources

| Developing Keywords

Focussing a topic
Once you have determined a topic, issue or subject of interest, you will need to focus the topic into a researchable question. Some tips for doing so are: Brainstorm about your topic. Identify related issues, people, events etc. List what you already know about your topic, and what you need to know or want to know. How can your teaching experience inform your topic? Determine what perspective will you take on your topic. Deternine the geographic region on which you will focus. Choose a specific time period. Often doing some preliminary reading or background research is extremely helpful in developing a focus. Move to the next step 'Getting Background Info' for some tips.

Focussing a topic

Once you have determined a topic, issue or subject of interest, you will need to focus the topic into a researchable question. Some tips for doing so are:

Brainstorm about your topic. Identify related issues, people, events etc.
List what you already know about your topic, and what you need to know or want to know. How can your teaching experience inform your topic?
Determine what perspective will you take on your topic.
Deternine the geographic region on which you will focus.
Choose a specific time period.

Often doing some preliminary reading or background research is extremely helpful in developing a focus. Move to the next step 'Getting Background Info' for some tips.

Finding Reference Sources
You will find numerous reference sources in the UCB Libraries' collection, both online and in print. SEARCH your topic in Reference Universe, enter your topic in the search box below: Reference Universe: This is a searchable database that indexes information from specialized subject encyclopedias. It does not include the full text of reference materials but will point you to reference sources that cover your topic. It searches both the titles of reference articles as well as the encyclopedia / dictionary indexes, providing a thorough level of access to materials and potential sources. CU

Finding Reference Sources

You will find numerous reference sources in the UCB Libraries' collection, both online and in print.

SEARCH your topic in Reference Universe, enter your topic in the search box below:

Reference Universe: This is a searchable database that indexes information from specialized subject encyclopedias. It does not include the full text of reference materials but will point you to reference sources that cover your topic. It searches both the titles of reference articles as well as the encyclopedia / dictionary indexes, providing a thorough level of access to materials and potential sources. CU

Finding Background Informaion
Developing a comprehensive understanding of your topic is essential when embarking on research. One way to gain background information is to utilize reference sources. This will help you to focus and concentrate your interest in a researchable portion of your topic. For help developing background information: Print Reference Sources Encyclopedia of education / James W. Guthrie, editor in chief Norlin Library- Reference Collection Online Reference Sources Encyclopedia Britannica CU Gale Virtual Reference Library CU Oxford Digital Reference Shelf CU World Almanac CU

Finding Background Informaion

Developing a comprehensive understanding of your topic is essential when embarking on research. One way to gain background information is to utilize reference sources. This will help you to focus and concentrate your interest in a researchable portion of your topic. For help developing background information:

Print Reference Sources

Encyclopedia of education /

James W. Guthrie, editor in chief

Norlin Library- Reference Collection

Online Reference Sources

Encyclopedia Britannica CU
Gale Virtual Reference Library CU
Oxford Digital Reference Shelf CU

World Almanac CU

Developing Keywords

Before you start to research a topic, you need to develop keywords that represent your research interest, question, or inquiry.

Keywords are significant words (usually nouns or noun phrases) which can be used as search terms in online catalogs or databases. Keywords will determine the quantity and relevance of results you retrieve when searching.

First you will identify and articulate your topic in your own words:

Example: I am interested in investigating the effectiveness of literacy assessments used with second language learners.

Next you will designate the main concepts or ideas that describe the topic:

Concept 1:

second language learners

Concept 2:

literacy

Concept 3:

assessments

Then develop other terms and vocabulary that represent the topic. Some terms may be broader, narrower, or synonyms. Adding terms that represent geographical distincitions, time periods, or significant figures about your topic may also be useful.

Concept 1:

second language acquisition

ESL

language learners

foreign language instruction

bilingual

L1/L2

ELLs

Concept 2:

literate

reading

comprehension

Literacy Education

Cultural literacy

Concept 3:

test (s)

assess

assessment*

proficiency

standardized

Combining Keywords

Operators:

AND: second language learners AND literacy (must find both terms)
OR: testing OR assessment (must find one of the terms)
NOT: testing NOT standardized (must find first term NOT second term)

Punctuation:

Phrases: “second language learners” (must find that phrase in that order)
Synonyms: (“second language learner” OR ELLs) AND literacy
Wildcards: assess* will find assessment, assessments, assessing, etc.

You may use the Search Strategy/ Keyword Worksheet to develop your own topic.

For deatails on combining keywords for the best results view the

How Do I Use Keywords

Chinook |

Prospector |

Interlibrary Loan

First Search Chinook - http://libraries.colorado.edu/
Chinook is the catalog for materials owned by the CU Libraries. You can do a title search for a specific book, or a keyword search if you are looking for books on a particular topic. You can also use MyChinook to manage your library account (including renewals, holds, recalls, saved searches, etc.) Tutorial: Chinook Keyword Search For Tips on developing keywords for your topic go to: How do I Choose Keywords for my search More Chinook Tutorials SERIES These sources explore current topics in depth. The books in the series examine different voices and viewpoints on the issue. They also include a bibliography of periodical articles, books, and organizations to contact for more information on the topic. Opposing Viewpoints Series Taking Sides Contemporary World Issues

First Search Chinook - http://libraries.colorado.edu/

Chinook is the catalog for materials owned by the CU Libraries. You can do a title search for a specific book, or a keyword search if you are looking for books on a particular topic. You can also use MyChinook to manage your library account (including renewals, holds, recalls, saved searches, etc.)

Tutorial: Chinook Keyword Search

For Tips on developing keywords for your topic go to:

How do I Choose Keywords for my search

More Chinook Tutorials

SERIES

These sources explore current topics in depth. The books in the series examine different voices and viewpoints on the issue. They also include a bibliography of periodical articles, books, and organizations to contact for more information on the topic.

Opposing Viewpoints Series

Taking Sides

Contemporary World Issues

Then Search Prospector - http://prospector.coalliance.org/

If you search Chinook and find that the CU Libraries do not have the item you are looking for (or if the item you are looking for is checked out), you can search Prospector, which is a combined library catalog of 23 libraries in Colorado and Wyoming. CU students, staff and faculty can request materials through Prospector, and the items will generally be delivered to Norlin within a few business days. <

Finally Request through Interlibrary Loan (ILL) - http://ucblibraries.colorado.edu/ill/index.htm
If the book you are looking for is not in Chinook or Prospector, you can request it through Interlibrary Loan (ILL). Generally, an ILL request will take longer to be delivered than material requested through Prospector.

Articles By Topic |

Choosing a Database |

Articles From a Citation

Articles by Topic
UCB Libraries provides access to numerous databases. They are available on the Find Articles and More Page. In order to find articles about a particular topic, you will need to use a library database other than Chinook. You can only search for journal titles in the Chinook catalog, you won't find article titles listed in Chinook. You may explore our databases organized by categories and subcategories. Remember to read the descriptions of each database to determine which will suit your needs. Think about other disciplines that may be relevant to your topic! Typically you may search by keyword, author, title and more. For help developing keywords, go to How do I Choose Keywords? HINT! Keep track of search terms. Look for database recommended search terms and help resources. WAIT! Are you connecting from off-campus? Tutorial: VPN

Articles by Topic

UCB Libraries provides access to numerous databases. They are available on the Find Articles and More Page.

In order to find articles about a particular topic, you will need to use a library database other than Chinook. You can only search for journal titles in the Chinook catalog, you won't find article titles listed in Chinook.

You may explore our databases organized by categories and subcategories. Remember to read the descriptions of each database to determine which will suit your needs. Think about other disciplines that may be relevant to your topic!

Typically you may search by keyword, author, title and more. For help developing keywords, go to How do I Choose Keywords? HINT! Keep track of search terms. Look for database recommended search terms and help resources.

WAIT! Are you connecting from off-campus?

Tutorial: VPN

Choosing a Database

Education-related abstracts/databases

CQ Press electronic library

Created and hosted by CQ Press, the CQ Press Electronic Library is the definitive reference resource for research in American government, politics, history, public policy, and current affairs. Includes Congressional Quarterly Researcher and Congressional Quarterly Weekly, as well as other online resources.

Requires VPN software to access off campus.

Academic search premier

This scholarly multi-disciplinary database contains indexing for over 8,000 publications, with full text for more than 4,450 of those titles. PDF backfiles to 1975 or further are available for well over one hundred journals, and searchable cited references are provided for more than 1,000 titles. Provides full text journal coverage for nearly all academic areas of study - including social sciences, humanities, education, computer sciences, engineering, language and linguistics, arts & literature, medical sciences, and ethnic studies.

Education Full-Text

Includes comprehensive coverage of an international range of English-language periodicals, monographs and yearbooks. Coverage includes about 79 journals not covered by ERIC. This includes full-text articles from 1983 to present and indexes articles from 1929 to 1983. In most cases, the Find it at CU icon will connect to the full-text. Access limited to four simultaneous users. Requires VPN software to access off campus.

ERIC (CSA)

ERIC Education Resources Information Center (CSA) provides access to more than 1.2 million abstracts of journal articles and other education-related documents produced by practioners and researchers. CSA also provides saved searches, email alerts and other education-related databases.

Included is full-text access to ERIC Documents (ED) from 1996 to present. ERIC Documents from 1966-1993 are available on microfiche and can be requested from Pascal using the ERIC Document request form.

ERIC is also available in a free web-based version.

ERIC’s personalized Web resource, My ERIC, makes it easy to manage your ERIC searches, sources, and citations. My ERIC gives you the ability to save searches and interesting citations from your search results to access later from wherever you choose to do your online research. My ERIC participants also have the opportunity to submit their own works to be considered for the ERIC Collection through the Online Submission System.

PsycINFO

Index with citations and summaries of journal articles, book chapters, books, dissertations, and technical reports, covering psychology and the psychological aspects of related disciplines, such as medicine, education, psychiatry, anthropology, business, and law. Produced and copyrighted by the American Psychological Association.

Full-text journal collections

Education: a SAGE full-text collection

Includes the full text of 26 peer-reviewed journals published by SAGE and participating societies distinguished by up to 40 years of backfiles, and encompasses over 8,000 articles.

JSTOR IV

This is an archival collection (2003-earlier) including more than 50 major peer reviewed education journals including those published by the American Education Research Association. This full-text collection does not contain the most recent publications.

Research and Subject Guides

Or search numerous guides leading to valuable resources (databases, print, online directories and more).

Widening your search

The Libraries subscribe to numerous databases and choosing the right article database can be difficult. There are numerous types of databases some will provide citations and abstracts, some will also include full text, some will link to reference materials, and more.There are a few things to keep in mind:

What discipline or subject area does your topic fall within? Who is having a conversation on the issue?

What perspective are you interested in? (medical, psychological, sociological etc.)

What type of material do your need? (scholarly, popular, newspapers)

What time period are you researching?

All of these questions will help lead you to a relevant database. Keep in mind that there are a few types of databases.

General and Interdisciplinary databases: These databases are a good starting point when you are new to your topic. They often include scholarly and popular sources as well as material from a variety of disciplines and perspetives. For example: Academic Search Premier

Subject or Discipline Databases: These databases will help you find material from specific disciplines. They provide more in-depth and focused research. For example: Film and television literature index

Format Specific Databases: These databases are narrowed to specific types of material, such as newspapers, statistics, images, biographies etc. For Example: ProQuest newspapers

Are you connecting from off-campus?

Articles from a Citation
If you have a specific article you need or you are tracking works from a bibliography, you will use: Find it @ CU Article Finder Complete this form to find the article in electronic or print. Tutorial: Find it @ CU Article Finder OR use the Chinoook Journals/ Serials Title search. Be sure to look for the journal/ magazine title NOT the article title. Then follow the links to the correct volume, issue, year, page number. Tutorial: Chinook Periodical Title

Articles from a Citation

If you have a specific article you need or you are tracking works from a bibliography, you will use:

Find it @ CU Article Finder
Complete this form to find the article in electronic or print.

Tutorial: Find it @ CU Article Finder

OR use the Chinoook Journals/ Serials Title search. Be sure to look for the journal/ magazine title NOT the article title. Then follow the links to the correct volume, issue, year, page number.

Tutorial: Chinook Periodical Title

More Sources

Equity, Diversity and Education Library

A comprehensive education library dedicated to equity and diversity, located within the School of Education, gives patrons direct access to education tools and resources reflecting the School's commitment to social justice and the preparation of educators fully informed about issues and curriculum resources for educating diverse students in grades Kindergarten through 12.

Related Library Guides

Education
A guide to research resources in Education available from the University of Colorado at Boulder Libraries.

Educational Resources
This guide, from the Government Publications Library, provides links to data on education from federal', state and international sources.

How do I Find an ERIC document?

Education Traditions

Understanding educational reform [electronic resource] : a reference handbook / Raymond A. Horn, Jr

Full-text in ABC-Clio eBook Collection

The roots of educational change [electronic resource] / edited by Ann Lieberman

Full-text in Springer e-books

Search for Book in Chinook

Education -- Philosophy

Education -- Political aspects

Education -- Aims and objectives

Critical pedagogy

Educational change -- United States

Freire, Paulo, 1921-1997- Subject

Hirsch, E. D. (Eric Donald), 1928- Author

Finding Pro and Con Arguments

How do I...find pro / con arguments?

CQ Press electronic library

Created and hosted by CQ Press, the CQ Press Electronic Library is the definitive reference resource for research in American government, politics, history, public policy, and current affairs.Go to CQ researcher Online and select Pro/Con in the left hand menu.

Requires VPN software to access off campus.

EdWeek Current Issues

Biographies

How do I find ...biographical information?

School Finance and Governance

Education Commission of the States

Edweek Research: School Finance

CONTACTS:

Alison Graber

alison.graber@colorado.edu

Education Subject Specialist

9/08 ACG

Citation Styles |

RefWorks |

Tips & Strategies

Citation Styles
How do I ..cite a source? APA Online Guide: OWL Purdue You may also find print guides in the library: APA Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association 6th Edition, Washington, DC : American Psychological Association, c2010 [Norlin Library Reference Collection]

RefWorks
REFWorks A personal online database and bibliography creator that allows users to create a personal database online, import references automatically from multiple databases, organize references, and quickly format bibliographies and manuscripts. You will need to create a login and password. Provided by the University of Colorado Boulder Libraries. How do I use RefWorks?

Tips & Strategies

Use RefWorks, EndNote, Zotero, or some other citation management tool. You will be able to keep track of citations, organize your literature reviews, insert citations easily into your paper, as well as create bibliographies. It will save you a huge amount of time in the long run.

Receive personalized new resource alerts from Chinook

You can customize Chinook, the CU library catalog, so that you automatically receive email alerts of new resources added to the library collection. Follow the steps below to initiate this feature.

Writing Sources
University of Colorado PWR Writing Center The Writing Center offers writers from across disciplines and skill levels the opportunity to work one-on-one with consultants trained in writing pedagogy. Writing Center sessions strive to address writers' stated needs while attending to relevant disciplinary, rhetorical, grammatical, and stylistic concerns. Services are FREE to all CU students, faculty, staff and alumni. We're in the Norlin Commons (Norlin E111, near the east entrance of Norlin Library ) OWL of Purdue University Online Writing Center of Purdue University is an excellent site full of writing and research tips.

Writing Sources

University of Colorado PWR

Writing Center

The Writing Center offers writers from across disciplines and skill levels the opportunity to work one-on-one with consultants trained in writing pedagogy. Writing Center sessions strive to address writers' stated needs while attending to relevant disciplinary, rhetorical, grammatical, and stylistic concerns. Services are FREE to all CU students, faculty, staff and alumni. We're in the Norlin Commons (Norlin E111, near the east entrance of Norlin Library )

OWL of Purdue University
Online Writing Center of Purdue University is an excellent site full of writing and research tips.

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