This is for a composition class doing international research.

1. Tips for
Geographic
and Social
Research
Heather Wilson
stanleylibrary@ferrum.edu

2. Answer = Prize
http://www.ferrum.edu/acad
emics/stanley_library/
• Narrowing a Search
• Background Sources
• Open Search Time

3. Prize Number 1
We need a
topic!

4. Everybody!
1. Break the topic into its
major terms
2. Search for terms in
OneSearch
3. Use Subject subheading
to narrow
4. Follow Subject Headings
in record

5. Prize Number 2
Share an article that you
found on this topic
AND
State why you think this
article might be helpful to
this researcher

6. Using General Sources
 Go back to
http://www.ferrum.edu/
academics/stanley_libr
ary/
 Find in the 5th box from
the left the link that says
Databases
 Click “Try the new
databases page!” at the
top

7. Reference
 Use middle Database Type dropdown to select Reference
 Reference:
 Encyclopedias
 Dictionaries
 Atlases
 Maps
 Available in paper!

8. Prize Number 3
We need
ANOTHER
topic!

9. Find Background
Information
Pick a Reference
database from the list
Break this topic into key
terms
Find background
information for this
researcher!

10. Prize Number 4
Share an entry that you
found on this topic
AND
State why you think this
article might be helpful to
this researcher

11. News
 Select News from that same middle dropdown box
 News is great for finding
 When the topic was relevant
 How affected people feel about the topic
 Primary sources
 Google News Archive (news.google.com/archivesearch)
 Not all full-text (but the library can help!)

12. Prize Number 5
We need
ANOTHER
topic!

13. Find Helpful News Articles
Pick a News database
from the list or try the
Google News search
Break the topic into key
terms
Find a news article for this
researcher!

14. Prize Number 5
Share an article that you
found on this topic and
how you found it
AND
State why you think this
article might be helpful to
this researcher

15. Finding More Specific Articles

16. Thanks!
This presentation can be found at
http://www.slideshare
.net/hwilson_ferrum/d
oing-geographic-and-
social-research