Sociology 111 -- The Family

Course Instruction by Professor Mark Lieberman

Library Instruction by Diane Smith

The following is meant to be used as support material related to a library instruction session conducted by a library instructor and a BHCC Behavioral Science Department course instructor.

Since we're limited for time, this session will focus on the electronic resources more than the traditional paper indexes and casual browsing of the library shelves. This is not meant to suggest that electronic resources alone can fulfill your information needs for this project. The library offers six workshops a week for students interested in learning more about any and all aspects of information use.

For those who feel they could use a basic computer skills refresher, take a look at a tutorial for new students at the University of Oregon. Take a look at the Browser Basics and Searching the WWW links. Remember, you're not at the University of Oregon. You're just tapping into the information specific to its campus and extracting what you can use at your PC here on the BHCC campus or elsewhere.

Getting Started...

• Suggested Topics List -- family issues focusing on child rearing, adolescent problems, dating and mating, gender, sexuality and others
• Journal Title List -- academically oriented journals and magazines relating to the study of family in the Behavioral Sciences (availability varies)

Consider the course assignment(s) that relate (s) to today's session. Let's focus on the selected list of topics generated in class this semester that relate to family formation or development. Other topics lists from previous classes are also available for you to see if you are undecided about a topic. The term paper you are working on is meant to be objective and research based. You may, and probably will connect your topic to the world in which you live but what goes into the bibliography will be the books, articles, web sites and other sources that you used to investigate and learn more about your topic.

Preparing Your Search

• State the goal of your search
• List parameters and/or guidelines that help focus your search
• Select a topic
• Decide on keywords use subject headings if available
• Identify the fields of study or areas of knowledge most closely related to your topic. Use the Reference Shelf at the Internet Public Library to consider your options.
• Determine the method of searching that will best serve your search
• Develop a search strategy before getting started and adapt as you progress

The two most important things to consider when approaching a new online search tool are Search Tips and Help. These aids, in context, are invaluable in terms of saving your time and frustration and are not to be overlooked. Other features of online databases that may prove useful to know about before you begin to search include:

• Database unique wordlist (thesaurus, dictionary, subject heading list)
• Source title list (names and associated information about publications included in the database)
• Index and other information organization details used to construct the database

You'll need to find a range of sources from which to draw ideas and help to stimulate new ideas of your own. If you need to take some time to clarify what you are looking for or strategize your search activity, try an online tutorial designed to step you through the thought processes related to basic research. When you're ready, move on to tap some of the electronic resources available to BHCC students.

• Finding books in the BHCC library and materials available from other libraries using InterLibraryLoan
• Using EBSCO (Requires 14 digit BHCC library barcode #)
• Using InfoTrac Basic (Requires 14 digit BHCC library barcode #)
• Using the Boston Globe(BHCC Campus Access Only)
• Using JSTOR(BHCC Campus Access Only)

Online resources can help you identify keywords that will help make your searching more efficient and effective. If you are interested in looking at newpaper articles, use the ProQuest online subscription service. Take a look its list of controlled vocabulary subject headings to find terms that best align with your topic.

Helpful Links

From Argus Clearinghouse

From the Internet Public Library

From AcademicInfo

The New Athenaeum

Western Connecticut State University

Trinity College

The American Sociological Association

Childstats

National Child Care Information Center

Husband Abuse

Stepfamily Association of America

If you need to cite the resource material that you'll use for your paper, use the Bibliography Styles Handbook to guide you in the use of proper format.

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Last reviewed June 27, 2001Last updated June 27, 2001