Transcript Document

the Research Process
Fleet Library @ RISD
Why think about the Research Process?
• Research is integral to the creative process
• Visual and written research include these stages: brainstorming
& mapping, searching & discovering, evaluating, developing,
seeking feedback, reviewing & critiquing, refining & reflecting
• The research process can provide structure, inspiration, and
depth to your studio and written work
• Whether for a visual or written assigment, research develops
one’s critical thinking
Recording the Research Process
Research can be recorded as a timeline,
Day 5
Day 1
choose
topic
brain
storm
gather
sources
formulate
thesis
Day 8
evaluate
sources
cite
sources
Day 12
review
& revise
final
revision
Recording the Research Process
as a list of numbered steps,
source: www.lib.umn.edu/help/calculator/
Recording the Research Process
or as a visual diagram
Envision research beginning like a stone being dropped into still water
IDEA
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the research process begins with your initial thought or idea
develop your idea by brainstorming words, names, imagery
sketch or visually map the various aspects of your idea
formulate questions
create lists of synonyms and related topics
add broader or narrower terms
Investigate your topic by using Reference sources
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use print & online encyclopedias, dictionaries, indexes, & thesauri
use RISD Online Reference sources
go to RISD Library’s website: library.risd.edu > Resources > Reference
find an overview of your topic which places it in its larger cultural context
write down terminology, dates and place names related to your topic
identify the people associated with your topic
Reference sources
• view the concept mapping tutorial - make a concept map of your topic
library.risd.edu > Resources > Tutorials
• contact a RISD Librarian to help you locate reliable Reference
sources on your topic and to get help with the research process
• Contact librarians at: library.risd.edu > Departments > Reference
Write a thesis statement
• review your notes
• create a statement that clearly defines and describes your topic
• check in with your instructor about your thesis statement
Thesis statement
Search the RISD/Athenaeum catalog
• go to the RISD Library website: library.risd.edu
• use the catalog search box at the top of the screen or
• go to RISD/ATH Catalog on the QUICK LINKS
Search the RISD/Athenaeum catalog
• search by keyword, title, author, subject
• Truncate words with an asterisk * to search variant forms of the term
and to get more search results
example: paint*= searches for paint, paints, painted, painter, painting
RISD / ATH catalog
• once an initial search has been done in the RISD/ATH catalog, use the
SEARCH BROWN button to repeat the search in Brown’s catalog.
Search for Articles
• go to RISD Library’s website: library.risd.edu > Resources > Articles
• read the database descriptions - select databases related to your topic
• ask your instructor or a librarian to recommend databases to search
• limit search results by a date range or to scholarly journals
Article databases
• search multiple databases - not just one
• make a list of the keywords, synonyms, and subject headings that
describe your topic
• use the article’s subject heading hypertext links to find related articles
• search E-Journals for full text journals by title: Resources > E-Journals
Search for Articles - 24/7 Off Campus Access
• start at library.risd.edu > Resources > Articles
• select databases related to your topic
• a login window will open
• type in your first or last name as it appears on the FRONT of your RISD ID
• type in the 14-digit Barcode number on the BACK of your RISD ID
• if your login doesn’t work, contact the Library for help, 709-5901
Search for Images & Multimedia
Images & multimedia
• RISD Online Image Resources library.risd.edu > Resources > Images
• visit the Picture Collection & Materials Library, RISD Library, 2nd floor
• search for dvds in the catalog by adding the keyword dvd or
• modify a keyword search to the Location RISD MEDIA
Search Area Libraries for Resources
Athenaeum Library
Brown Univ. Libraries
HELIN Libraries
Providence Public Libraries
the RISD Library Community
• Athenaeum Library www.providenceathenaeum.org
RISD Library & the Athenaeum share an online library catalog. The
Athenauem is located across the intersection from the College Building on
Benefit Street. RISD students can check out 5 books for 4 weeks.
Renew online at My Record
• Brown University Libraries library.brown.edu
CHiL (College Hill Library Consortium)
Search Brown’s catalog from the RISD/ATH catalog by using the SEARCH
BROWN button. Borrowing privileges and on-site database access for all
RISD students. Register first at RISD then at Brown’s Rockefeller Library.
Check out 5 books for 4 weeks. Renew online at My Josiah
• HELIN Libraries library.uri.edu
Consortium of 11 academic and 14 health sciences libraries which share
an online catalog. On site access to the libraries but no borrowing
privileges.
• Providence Public Libraries www.provlib.org
Providence Community Libraries www.provcomlib.org
Access and borrowing privileges upon registration.
Search other online catalogs & websites
worldcat.org
google books
google scholar
google patents
museum websites
digital collections
government websites
Request items through Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
RISD Library can request books & articles that are not available locally
from reciprocal lending libraries via the ILL Service
ILL - Interlibrary loan
• ILL requests take 1-2 weeks to arrive - plan ahead
• online forms: library.risd.edu > Services > Interlibrary Loan
Review and evaluate all your sources
Evaluate sources
Evaluate the sources you have gathered using the following criteria:
Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose
Evaluating Print & Online Resources
• Currency: the timeliness of the information
• Relevance: the importance of the information for your needs
• Authority: the source and authorship of the information
• Accuracy: the reliability and correctness of the information
• Purpose: the reason the information exists
source: www.csuchico.edu/lins/handouts/evalsites.html
Citing Sources Used
Cite sources
• select a citation style and use it consistently
• Not sure what needs citing? View the plagiarism tutorial:
library.risd.edu > Resources > Tutorials
Review & repeat the research process
Review & revise
• review the process; if needed, repeat steps in the process
• allow time to reflect upon & refine your work
WORK SMART - Ask a Librarian for help
Working with a Librarian - a snapshot
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listen - as you discuss your class assignments and studio projects
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translate - your art & design ideas or questions into effective ways to think about,
search for, and locate information
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bridge - any gaps between your subject domain and using library resources - the
librarian's domain of expertise
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filter - offer ways to think critically about the information you encounter
RISD Library Reference Desk - Library 1st floor, 709-5902, [email protected]
library.risd.edu > Departments > Reference
finis
Rev 2/13 J. Austin, M. Calhoun, C. Covert, and E. Nacheman
ellen petraits