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HOME > Research > Course Guides > SED 699 | |
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SED 699 - Directed Study Introduction | Reference Sources | Indexes & Databases | Internet Resources | Writing the Paper
For further research assistance, please contact Tim Lynch tlynch@usm.maine.edu; (780-5344), Research and Instructional Services Librarian; Liaison to the Education Department. Gorham Campus Library, University of Southern Maine.
The key to all your library research is your USM Card. On that card is your Library Barcode beginning (2502. . .) This card will gain you access to remote databases, Interlibrary Loan, Request items from other libraries in Maine and will allow you to check-out books from the University of Maine Library system. This card must be activated by the Circulation staff at one of our libraries before you may use it. To start us off, lets begin by learning how to search the catalog and databases at USM: Searching Using AND and OR: (This process can be used in most any database including journal indexes and databases)
Currently search strategies are catagorized by four types of searches: Keyword; Title; Author; and Subject. Keyword searches use "key words" from areas of the book or document record like the title and the abstract and match the exact instructions of your search (See Basic Search below). Title searches are performed by entering the exact wording of the title, While Author searches are performed by entering the Last name of the author followed by a comma and the first letter or first name of the person or entity responsible for the content of the work. Subject searches are altogether different. A subject search (See Subject Headings Below) is an attempt to find a collection of works determined to be in the same subject area. The Library of Congress creates these Subject Headings and new works are either matched to an existing Subject Heading or new Subject Headings are created. The best way to use a Subject Heading is to find a book, using a Keyword search, (See above) that very closely fits your topic, then look to the bottom of the record for the Subject Headings that belong to that book. Using the blank subject search on its own is possible but will probably not give you the information you are looking for unless you know exactly the right Subject Headings to use. In order to find books, journal titles, videos, government documents and other materials owned by the University of Maine system you will need to consult URSUS, the online catalog. Because journal article citations are not included in URSUS, you will need to use a discipline-specific index to find this information (see Resources by Subject). If you do not know the exact subject heading describing the topic you need, try doing a keyword search using other word(s) related to that topic and then click on the subject heading links found within the relevant records to find additional, useful resources. The following is a listing of selected subject headings relating to Special Education. Each subject heading is hotlinked directly to URSUS.
Searching Using AND and OR: (This process can be used in most any database including journal indexes and databases) Basic Search
Advanced Search (Default)
To obtain materials not located at USM, but within the University of Maine System, you will need to click on the black Request button on the URSUS screen and enter your name and barcode number (found under the barcode on your USM Card). Your barcode will need to be activated at the Circulation Desk on the first floor. Remember also to choose a location for the item to be delivered. Items requested in this manner require 3 to 5 days for delivery. If the item is not available through the University of Maine System (URSUS) or Maine InfoNet you can request it via Interlibrary Loan (Illiad). Off-Campus (remote) connection to databases: Use your name and library barcode number (2502. . . . ) available from your student ID to access Indexes and databases from home. Indexes and Databases that can be accessed remotely will have a small yellow "remote access" icon next to the Index or database. If you are having trouble, try using the state funded Marvel Databases. Enter personal information including ZIP Code.
Reference sources are useful tools to obtain background information and to develop a vocabulary of possible search terms. The following items are print resources available within the University of Southern Maine system. Encyclopedia of African-American Education Encyclopedia of Education Encyclopedia of Educational Research Encyclopedia of Disability and Rehabilitation Encyclopedia of Human Behavior Encyclopedia of Human Development and Education Encyclopedia of Human Intelligence Encyclopedia of Learning and Memory Encyclopedia of Marriage and the Family Encyclopedia of Special Education Gale Encyclopedia of Childhood & Adolescence International Encyclopedia of Education International Encyclopedia of Teaching and Teacher Education International Handbook of Research and Development of Giftedness and Talent Handbook of Alternative Education Handbook of Child Psychology Handbook of Research on the Education of Young Children Handbook of Reading Research Biographical Sources Biographical Dictionary of American Educators Who's Who in American Education Dictionary of Multi-cultural Education Dictionary of Statistics and Methodology Educator's Resource Directory Handbook of Educational Terms and Applications Handbook of Qualitative Research in Education Requirements for Certification 2003-2004 Special Education and Rehabilitation Testing: Current Practices and Test Reviews Special Education Dictionary Special Education Desk Reference
Because of the publishing cycle of a book, information in a book is not always current. Periodical articles are current sources of information. There are two main types of periodicals: scholarly and popular. Scholarly periodicals are usually referred to as journals. Articles in journals contain reports of primary research; the articles are written by experts in the field and for other researchers/scholars; use terms and language specific to that discipline; may include graphs, charts, etc. related to the topic; most often are peer reviewed via an editorial board; are published by professional organization or society, university, research centers, scholarly presses; and often include a bibliography. Popular periodical articles contain general information; are written using easily understood language that appeals to a varied audience; are usually written by journalists or others who are not experts in the field; do not include citations; has a limited or non-existent editorial review board; and may contain glossy photographs To find scholarly articles it is necessary to consult a discipline-specific electronic or print index/database. The following are electronic indexing sources available to the Unversity of Southern Maine in the area of Education. Academic Search Premier ERIC Because ERIC has been sold to a private contractor for management, it is unknown to what extent the database will change. The new model promises full-text online for much of the information indexed in ERIC whenever possible. See more information at the http://www.eric.ed.gov/ site. PsycINFO
There is no authority control for the Internet. In choosing Internet resources it is imperative to evaluate the authenticity of the source. Thinking Critically about Discipline-Based World Wide Web Resources (UCLA College Library) provides excellent evaluation criteria. The following selected resources have been chosen because of authenticity and comprehensiveness of coverage. Special Education (Google Directory)
In using resources it is imperative that they be used ethically and legally. The sources listed here provide assistance in following correct citation methods. In using resources it is imperative that they be used ethically and legally. The sources listed here provide assistance in following correct citation methods and in avoiding plagiarism. Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association St. Martin's Handbook Citation Styles Citing Sources (MLA) (Indiana University) MLA (University of Wisconsin-Madison Writing Center) MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 6th edition Online! A Reference Guide Using Internet Resources Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association Using Modern Language Association (MLA) Format (Purdue University Online Writing Center) Plagiarism-The Do's and Dont's: Guidelines for Avoiding Plagiarism (University of California-Davis) Plagiarism (Indiana University)
Last Update: 10.2005 |
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