History

Consider your research topic carefully to identify the main concepts, then come up with keywords to describe those concepts as you search for information in library search tools.
 

Research Topic: 
Examine the development and implementation of multiculturalism as an offiicial policy in Canada and its effects on national identity. 

Note synonyms, alternate and related terms: 

• multiculturalism, multicultural
• policy, policies, legislation, laws, regulations
• Canada, Canadian, Canadians
• history, historical

Mix and match search terms: 

• Canada multiculturalism history
• Canada multicultural policy
• Canad* multicult* policy "national identity"

Search Tips: You can search in a way to combine or omit different terms by telling the search engine exactly what you want …this can help you save some time (and frustration!)

• Use quotation marks to keep phrases together and improve relevance of search results - "national identity"

• Use wild cards to substitute a letter or suffix with a symbol - Canad* finds Canada, Canadian, Canadians

• Avoid long strings of words and sentence fragments:

  Good search:  Canada multiculturalism "national identity"
  Poor search: Effects of multiculturalism implementation on Canadian national identity

• For FEWER, more relevant search results, add a search term

• For MORE and broader results, remove a search term

• Use the advanced search to incorporate synonyms - Use OR between synonyms or related terms

  • policy OR legislation AND multiculturalism AND Canad*

Encyclopedia or reference entry:

- Brief sources of background information that provide overviews of a topic/event/person, summarize existing information and provide basic facts..
- Author is not always known, though may be an academic expert, and sources may not be cited.
- Do not undergo peer review, but are edited by a professional editor.
- Many are published by specialized academic publishers.
- Most helpful as you begin your research and can help you develop a basic understanding and search vocabulary for the topic.
 

Scholarly book:

- Lengthy works of original academic research written by academic experts.
- Evidence of extensive research through the presence of many citations/references. 
- Scholarly books typically go through peer review by other experts in the field.
- Published by university presses or other specialized academic publishers.
-  Address multiple aspects of a single topic, through many chapters; often provide ample background and context for the topic, along with in-depth discussion and analysis.

Scholarly journal article:

- Works of original academic research written by academic experts and peer reviewed by other experts in the field.
- Usually 10-30 pages long and focussed on a narrow topic.
- Evidence of original research through the presence of many citations/references.
- Article title will be very specific, clearly identifying the research question the article is exploring.
- Most helpful after you have developed a basic understanding of the broader topic.

Hands-On Activity: Compare scholarly and non-scholarly sources 

• Skim each of the sources below; make sure to scroll to the end of each. 

• How are they different?

• What indicators help you recognize the scholarly source?

→ Use this tool to note the differences you observed between the two sources 

Source #1 -- Example of scholarly journal article 

Source #2 -- Example of a popular, non-scholarly article from a magazine

Framework for Source Evaluation

Being able to evaluate sources and distinguish scholarly sources from non-scholarly or "popular" sources is an important academic skill that you will apply throughout your academic life. When evaluating sources, some things to consider include:

• RELEVANCE: Is the source directly and clearly relevant to your topic? The source should relate to the topic or issue you are studying, and in this course, likely the relevant time period, and, depending on your topic, the relevant place (e.g. Canada), and should be from the discipline of History, Canadian Studies, Policy Studies or a related field.
   
• AUTHOR: Who wrote or created the source? Are they an expert? What qualifications do they have to write on the topic? Note that scholarly sources are written by academics, usually with a PhD, and usually indicate the author's university affiliateion. If no author is listed, who is the host or publisher, and what authority do they on the topic? Note that scholarly sources almost always list the author's name. 
   
• PURPOSE: What is the intended purpose of the information? To educate? Entertain? Persuade? Sell you something? Who is the intended audience - experts or amateurs? Scholarly sources are intended to share academic research and inform other experts in the academic community. 
   
• PROCESS: What generated the information? Opinion? Research? How can you tell? Note that sources based on original research will list their references. What steps has the information gone through (Spell check? Editors? Peer review?)? Scholarly sources are based on research, cite their sources and are peer reviewed.
   
• SUBSTANCE: Scholarly sources are substantial - they analyze the topic in depth, use sophisticated language and technical jargon, and are lengthy. Journal articles will usually be 10-30 pages long. Magazine articles are much shorter, generally 1-5 pages long. A lot of photos/images is often clue a source is non-scholarly/popular.

Recognizing Scholarly Secondary Sources in History 7:42 min.

To get a basic understanding of events or issues related to your topic, and to build your search vocabulary, it can help to consult specialized academic encyclopedias.

You can find them:

• Via the Background Sources tab of this research guide. From that list, I recommend the following for this course:
  • Canadian Encyclopedia  - Many topics in this course will be covered in the Canadian Encyclopedia, it is a great starting point. 
  • Oxford Reference 
• Or via MRU LibrarySearch, use the Resource Type filter to limit to Reference Entries.

Tip: Within an encyclopedia, use one or two very simple search terms e.g., Canada constitution, Quiet Revolution, multiculturalism etc.

LibrarySearch - the search box on the MRU library homepage - is the best way to find print and electronic encyclopedia or reference entries, books, and journal articles at MRU.

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Pro Tips: Using LibrarySearch Filters

- Although scholarly books are peer reviewed, all books are removed from search results when you check the peer reviewed box, so it is helpful to do some searches leaving that box unchecked. 

- Use the Subject filter to limit search results to items tagged with relevant subject terms

- Use the Resource Type filter to find books, journal articles and reference entries (a.k.a. encyclopedia articles) more quickly

How-To Video: Finding and Accessing Books & Articles in MRU's LibrarySearch 5:32 minutes

Brief introduction to APA Style from University of Technology Sidney Library

Citation Help at MRU

• Use the "cite" feature in most search tools to get you started with most resources (you will need to review and correct the citation).

• Cite Sources: Learn the correct way to cite sources by using these guides, tutorials, and videos.

  • MRU Guide to APA Style for Academic Work - This is the go-to resource for MLA citation at MRU - read it!

• Academic Success Workshops: APA: An Introduction workshops are 75 minutes long and are offered both in-person and online. Registration is required.

• Appointments: Personalized online or in-person 30-minute appointments with a Learning Strategist at Student Learning Services located on the 2nd floor of the Riddell Library & Learning Centre.

• Use the Library Service Desk on the 1st floor of the RLLC for assistance as well as the library chat feature on the library website for quick citation questions.

• Ask Alice!

Call number: The address for a physical library item, so you can find it on the shelf. In MRU's LibrarySearch, it is displayed below the title of the book. You can follow the locate icon for a map to the book on its shelf.