MODULE 2
Beginning Your Research
Outline of the Research Process
Selecting a Research Topic
The Research Project
Remote Access to Library Resources
The Library is a Service Organization
Cataloging and Classification
Publishing and Types of Publications
Scholarly versus Popular Information
Primary versus Secondary Information
Critically Evaluating Information
Assignment: Start Your Research Project
Quiz 2
On to Module 3
Glossary
FROM INFORMATION TO PUBLICATION

From Information to Publication

The process of research requires detective work. In order to locate the most interesting, authoritative and informative sources of information, an effective researcher must know the basics of how information is generated, written and published.  When looking for information, think about how the information evolved from an idea or event to a publication.

How the information moves from event or idea to publication

Time Frame
Publication Process
Hours to days After the occurrence of an event or discovery, information is first disseminated through mass media (newspapers, radio, television and the Internet.)
Days to Weeks Over time more information is gathered and summary articles may appear in popular magazines, such as Time or Newsweek. 
Months Significant events and ideas will be further analyzed and researched and then published in academic or scholarly journals.
Years Major topics may be thoroughly investigated and result in the publication of a book.
Years and Years Reference tools bring together information from many different types of publications to create cumulative summaries (such as encyclopedias) and access tools (such as article databases and indexes.)

Formats of Information

Information comes in many formats. Many formats are available on the Web, but many are not. The table below identifies a variety of formats and where you may find them.

Format
Why use it
How to find it
Audio/visual  To listen to music, or view performances or news events
Scientific charts, graphs and slides		 Library catalogs, search engines
Books Longer, in-depth treatment of  a subject.  Libarary catalogs, search engines
Conference Proceedings Professors and researchers present their newest work at conferences.  Library catalogs, article databases, search engines
Dissertations PhD candidates write scholarly dissertations. Most have good bibliographies. Library catalogs, article databases
Government Documents Primary sources, unbiased, authoritative Library catalogs, search engines
Manuscripts Original documents Library catalog or Library Special Collections (many of these are being digitized and are on the Web)
Maps and Atlases Locations Library catalogs, search engines
Micorforms Historical newspapers, manuscripts, and rare books Library catalogs. Some microform sets have an index.
Musical Scores Written music Library catalog, search engines
Newsletters Current information from organizations Search engines, article databases
Newspapers Daily, Weekly or Monthly reports Article databases, search engines
Popular Magazine Articles Mass media written for the general public, popular trends, public sentiment Article databases
Reference Tools Quick answers and summary information. Library reference department, search engines
Scholarly Journals original research Article databases, electronic journals
Web Sites Many formats of information, vast amount of information search engines
Zines or Ezines Alternative subjects. Self published. search engines, local distribution sites

Exercises

  1. Use the Publication Process table at the top of this section to decide what types of publication might work best for your research project.
  2. Look at the Formats of Information table. Decide which formats will be useful for your research project.
  3. The audience for your research project will make a difference in the formats of materials you select? What formats might you select if your audience were:
    1. A kindergarten class
    2. Your college professor
    3. Your family

Continue - Popular vs. Scholarly Information

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