LSCI 100

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Lesson 1 Assignment

Due: October 24

NAME:

Each question is worth 1 point unless otherwise noted.
Total points for this assignment: 25 points

Please answer all of the questions below and then email your completed assignment to your instructor (either: Eric Brenner at: Brenner@smccd.net or Dennis Wolbers at: Wolbers@smccd.net)

I. Short answer

1. Name one of the Internet's strengths.

2. Name one of the Internet’s limitations.

3. Name one thing that the Internet offers that libraries do not.

4. Name one thing libraries offer that the Internet does not.

5. Name three basic types of tools for searching for information on the Internet and briefly describe each type. (3 points)

6. Briefly explain the difference between a subject and a research topic. (2 points)

II. Beginning your research: select a broad subject

This course requires you to write a precise research topic (worded in the form of a question) that you will be researching during the 8-week session. You will be finding books, periodical articles, and websites for the topic you select.  

In assignment 2, you will be asked to write a specific research question.  However, at this beginning stage of the research process, you will begin by first choosing a broad subject or area of interest.  For example, you may decide you'd like to research environmental justice, alcoholism, astronomy, or any of hundreds of other subjects.

The link below provides a list of broad research subjects. Click on this link, choose a subject from the list, and then follow the directions below for doing a search on your subject using the Gale PowerSearch article databases.

The purpose of this initial search is to gain a general overview of your subject.  Think of your research as if you were building a house. A house must be built on a firm foundation from which the rest of the structure can rise. Therefore, begin your research by looking for sources that provide the following kinds of introductory, background information on your subject:

• explanations of the basic principles and overall scope of the subject
• definitions of key terms and concepts
• explanations and summaries of research done by important scholars of the subject
• explanations and summaries of controversial issues
• history and current scholarly state of the subject
• statistics, facts, dates, etc.
• key publications
  
  

Once you have gained some background knowledge on your subject, you should be able to formulate a specific research question in assignment 2.

Choose a subject that interests you. The more curiosity you have about an area, the more enthusiasm and motivation you'll bring to the project.

CLICK HERE TO SEE A LIST OF SUBJECTS

7. Name the subject you’ve chosen:
(NOTE: Your subject must be taken from the "Subject List" link.  If you want to pursue a subject not on the "Subject List," please contact the instructor for approval before continuing with this assignment.)

III. Find a topic overview article on your subject using the Gale PowerSearch databases

Find one overview article related to your subject using the Gale PowerSearch databases.  You will find this article by using the “Subject Guide Search” mode and choosing a “Topic Overview” article from the “Books” tab.

(Review the Tutorial on Subject Guide Searching on the Gale PowerSearch Databases as needed.)

Follow the steps given in the bullet points below:

• To access the Gale PowerSearch databases, click here. (A new window will open, but this page will still be accessible by clicking on the tab for this page at the bottom of your screen.)
  
  
• If you are accessing the Gale PowerSearch databases from off campus, enter your library card number from your PLS library card in the entry box.
  
  
• Choose the “Subject Guide Search” mode (click on the link on the task bar near the top of the page), type your subject term and click the Search button.
  
  
• At the “Subject terms” result screen, note how many total articles are listed for your subject (look under "Results")

8. What is the total number of articles listed for your subject?

• Click on your subject term. (Do not click on “Subdivisions” or “Related Subjects”.)
  
  
• From the results screen for your subject, click on the “Books” tab and choose a “Topic Overview” article.
  
  NOTE: In some cases, a different type of overview article may be of interest to you. Gale PowerSearch offers several types of overview articles including: event overview, era overview, culture overview, geographic overview, country overview, disease overview, company overview, etc.
  
  NOTE: It is acceptable to use an overview article that is either broader or more specific than your chosen subject. If you cannot find an overview article, choose another subject or contact your instructor.
  
  
• Click on the title of the overview article to see the full display.

Provide the following information about the overview article you find. (Reminder: This must be an “Overview” article found under the “Books” tab.)

9. Title:

10. Source:

11. Copy and paste the article “Source Citation“ below. (The “Source Citation” is listed at the very bottom of the article and includes all of the information required for citing the article in a “Works Cited” list in a research paper.) Do not include the full text of the article:

12. Look through the text of your overview article. Identify in the article and briefly describe an aspect, event, controversy, or issue within your subject that you may want to focus on and shape into a specific research question. (3 points)

IV. Critical thinking / reflection

13. A main goal of this lesson is to help you learn how to start a research project by finding background information on a broad subject and then trying to begin to focus on a more specific topic that you might be interested in researching further.

Think about your search and results in the Gale PowerSearch article database and answer the following:

a) How easy or difficult was it for you to use the PowerSearch database? Explain. (2 points)

b) How effective was the PowerSearch database in giving you good, clear general information on your topic? (2 points)

c) How useful was the article you found in helping you to focus in on a more specific topic? Describe what was or was not useful in the article. Do you feel like you have a good idea of a topic you want to focus on or are you still trying to decide on what to focus on? (2 points)

d) Do you think it is likely that you will use the PowerSearch database in the future (outside of this course) to look for background information on a broad subject? Why or why not? (2 points)

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last revised: 10-30-08 by Eric Brenner & Dennis Wolbers, Skyline College, San Bruno, CA
These materials may be used for educational purposes. All commercial rights are reserved.
Send comments or suggestions to: Eric Brenner at: brenner@smccd.edu.