Session Plan
Session Plan
During today's session, we will discuss:
- Different types of sources
- Using library tools to find sources
- Evaluating sources
- How to get help with your research
Types of Sources
Characteristics of Journal Articles
- Describe the background, process, and results of academic research
- Written and reviewed by academic experts (peer-review)
- Often follow a standard structure (Introduction, Literature Review, Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion)
- Medium-length to longish treatment of specific topic
- Evidence cited using a standard format (e.g. APA, Chicago)
Example
Characteristics of Policy Papers and Reports
- Published online directly by the creator organization (stand-alone or in a publication)
- Internal review process
- Medium-length to long treatment of a specific topic
- Written by experts (not necessarily academic)
- No standard structure
- May cite evidence in the form of structured references or within the text (e.g. "According to a report by Statistics Canada...")
- Arguments may reflect the leanings of the creator organization
Example
Characteristics of Op-Eds
- Brief treatment of a specific topic of current interest
- Written by a broad range of experts (pundits, academics, politicians, industry leaders, etc.)
- Editorial review
- Based on both expert opinion and evidence
- Evidence presented in text without formal citations
Example
Finding Sources
Refining a Topic
Take a few minutes to read some of the following Wikipedia article on Medicare in Canada.
Medicare_(Canada) - Evaluating Claims About the System
In the box below, add some specific aspects of the topic of Medicare that we could explore further (e.g. dental and prescription coverage)
Use LibrarySearch to find books and journal articles.
Use AND between terms when you want both terms in results. Use OR when you want either term in results.
Examples
sports AND (gambling OR betting) AND tax* AND revenue
sports AND (gambling OR betting) AND addiction AND (cost OR expense)
General Tips
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Sign in to save searches, items, and to request materials.
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Use the pin icon to save books and articles.
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Use the filters on the right. You will use Availability, Resource Type, and Date filters most often.
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When viewing an item record, scroll down to the Access Options section to get the item.
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Use the Locate button to find print books in the library
Finding Policy Reports
Two recommended databases:
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Canada Commons - DocumentsThis collection contains monographs of research papers, reports, studies, policy papers & briefs, environmental scans and more.
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Policy Commons
Policy Commons is a one-stop community platform for objective, fact-based research from the world’s leading policy experts, nonpartisan think tanks, IGOs and NGOs.
Tips for search in Canada Commons and Policy Commons
- Be specific to start
- Filter by year. Select 'View More' to select more than one year.
- In Policy Commons, go to advanced search to filter by country and other relevant limiters
Finding Newspaper Articles (Op-Eds)
Recommended databases:
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Canadian NewsstreamAccess to the full text of Canadian newspapers, newswires, newsmagazines, and television and radio transcripts.
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ABI/INFORM CollectionKey business and economics journals, and country and/or industry focused reports, and downloadable data.
Tips for finding op-eds in Canadian Newsstream
- Your search can be broad
- Filter by Publication Date
- If your topic is specific to a geographical area, filter to major newspapers from that area
- Filter by Document Type. Select Commentary to see op-ed and opinion content
Evaluating Sources
Evaluating Sources
You should always evaluate sources of evidence (including journal articles). Consider the following:
- Expertise/Authority
- Expertise can be context dependent
- Look for the author's/creator's credentials, including education, role or profession, and previous publications
- Review Process
- Review by neutral, subject matter experts is ideal (peer review)
- Look for information on the publication's website about how content is reviewed
- Publication
- Publishers and publications have reputations with regard to rigour, bias, and slant
- Look for third-party reviews or analysis of the publication (e.g. Wikipedia)
- Purpose
- Why was the content created? To inform, persuade, deceive?
- Use context about the author and publication, read the content closely, and compare the article to other information you have found.
Let's evaluate this document together:
