Taking Library online this quarter has enlightened my knowledge about research and exactly how to research efficiently. I have learned basic information such as what particular URL’s mean, copyright basics to formulating research questions and how to receive exact results one is trying to obtain. I have learned these tools through separate assignments that gave me the opportunity and example to recreate such information and exercise tools at the same time. The skill I think that is most helpful being a college student, is being able to refine your searches, key terms, and being able to simply obtain the exact results you are looking for instead of sifting through millions of results. In regards to on campus information, I have now acquired a more in depth way of how to use the campus resources in the library and also through the school website. I have also gained confidence in communicating and describing my research processes and results. Most importantly, I have gained more confidence because being that this is the first online only class I have enrolled in so far, I now know that I can effectively complete courses that are not taught to me in person, which is a surprise to me.
1. What progress have you made this quarter in your information literacy growth?
I think I have made great progress this quarter in my information literacy growth. I am not only able to recognize credible information by examining the content, but also by examining the source whether it is an online source or a text source. This has and is going to come in handy throughout my college career which I am very grateful for. I have made progress in being able to refine my searches in a broader stage or a narrower stage depending on the information I am trying to gather. Researching information is now easier and effortless.
2. What areas of weakness have you identified in your information literacy growth?
One weakness that I believe I can work on and improve in my information literacy growth is using other web resources and search engines, but also being comfortable using them as well. Before this course, I was only comfortable with GOOGLE search and other current news databases such as SFGATE.COM or CNN.COM. I have now become more comfortable with using YAHOO.COM and other disciplinary searches that are listed on the library website.
3. What steps will you take in the next three to six months to continue your growth in information literacy?
In order to gain growth in information literacy within the next three to six months, I will probably exercise these skills I have learned, take them with me, and use them for other courses in the spring and throughout the years. These skills are something that will continuingly help me no matter what the course or objective.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
unit 6 log 2
1. How can a balance be achieved between protecting privacy and meeting the needs of national security?
Some sort of balance can be achieved between protecting privacy and meeting the needs of national security by maybe not releasing full detailed documents to the public. Another way might be to allow only students that are directed with full permission and reason by professors to view such information on the internet. Also, it might be a good idea to require a log in to view such information, that way it is clear on who exactly viewed the information and when.
2. How did you react to the list of challenged books (were you surprised, for example)? Do you think some books should be banned or should books be freely available? Why?
I was really surprised about the list of challenged books. I don’t really understand what type of complaint could be filed against such books as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Color Purple, and I know Why the Caged-Bird Sings. From my knowledge, these books only expressed issues that were appropriate for the specific time period in which each book takes place. I think all books should be freely available because a novel and all other books are written with a specific message that is surrounded only by usually truthful and realistic events that are relevant to the story.
3. How have your overall ideas about information ethics changed or not changed after completing this unit?
My thoughts about information ethics has drastically changed. I never knew copyright laws were that much in depth from years it is effective to who is reliable for such information such as librarians. All of this information came to me as a surprise and kind of made me look at text with more appreciation because of how the long the process really is.
Some sort of balance can be achieved between protecting privacy and meeting the needs of national security by maybe not releasing full detailed documents to the public. Another way might be to allow only students that are directed with full permission and reason by professors to view such information on the internet. Also, it might be a good idea to require a log in to view such information, that way it is clear on who exactly viewed the information and when.
2. How did you react to the list of challenged books (were you surprised, for example)? Do you think some books should be banned or should books be freely available? Why?
I was really surprised about the list of challenged books. I don’t really understand what type of complaint could be filed against such books as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Color Purple, and I know Why the Caged-Bird Sings. From my knowledge, these books only expressed issues that were appropriate for the specific time period in which each book takes place. I think all books should be freely available because a novel and all other books are written with a specific message that is surrounded only by usually truthful and realistic events that are relevant to the story.
3. How have your overall ideas about information ethics changed or not changed after completing this unit?
My thoughts about information ethics has drastically changed. I never knew copyright laws were that much in depth from years it is effective to who is reliable for such information such as librarians. All of this information came to me as a surprise and kind of made me look at text with more appreciation because of how the long the process really is.
Unit 6 entry log 1
1. Discuss how the author, the publisher, the faculty member, the library, and the students can be accommodated.
The author, the publisher, the faculty members, the library and students can all be accommodated. The author of course is accommodated with profits in everyway possible as well as the publisher. Faculty members get to use the information thanks to the publisher, and author who allow the information to be public and useful. The library is allowed to make such information more available to students who buy or use the text which adds profit to everyone above.
2. How can a fair arrangement be achieved?
A fair arrangement can be achieved by maybe evenly distributing the text or information to the publisher, schools, students, libraries and so forth.
3. What are the challenges in creating a fair arrangement for everyone?
The challenges in creating a fair arrangement for everyone is that there will not always or rarely be a perfect and equal amount of demand for information, text, novels etc. that are completed and published.
The author, the publisher, the faculty members, the library and students can all be accommodated. The author of course is accommodated with profits in everyway possible as well as the publisher. Faculty members get to use the information thanks to the publisher, and author who allow the information to be public and useful. The library is allowed to make such information more available to students who buy or use the text which adds profit to everyone above.
2. How can a fair arrangement be achieved?
A fair arrangement can be achieved by maybe evenly distributing the text or information to the publisher, schools, students, libraries and so forth.
3. What are the challenges in creating a fair arrangement for everyone?
The challenges in creating a fair arrangement for everyone is that there will not always or rarely be a perfect and equal amount of demand for information, text, novels etc. that are completed and published.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Unit 4, part 2 subject or discipline-based databases
1. What is the MAIN subject of your question?
The main subject of my question is, “carbon cycle.”
2. What subject guide or guides did you use to identify the relevant databases for your question?
I used the subject guide “Environmental Sciences” guide for both of my searches.
FIRST DATABASE SEARCH
1. Which database did you choose for your search?
For this search, I decided to use the “Dictionary of Environmental Science” database.
2. What terms did you enter to conduct your search?
I first entered the search terms “carbon cycle” to conduct my search.
3. How many results did you retrieve?
I retrieved 6,785 documents as results with the terms “carbon cycle.”
4. If there were more than 100 results, how did you refine your search terms to narrow your results?
After receiving 6,785 results, I refined my search by checking the “United States” box, “Research” box, as well as the “Carbon Cycle (biogeochemistry) box located under the book rank tab that popped up. By doing this, I received 1,115 documents. I refined my search again by checking the box “Environmental Sciences” in the same box that states, “Focus your search by selecting an additional subject below.” This gave me no results!!
I refined my search again by leaving the terms “carbon cycle” in the ‘text and key fields’ box and I also left the “united states” OR research OR carbon cycle (biogeochemistry) in the first subject box. I then only checked the box “Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide” which then gave me 3 results.
5. Once you got your results to around 100 (or fewer), how did you determine they were meaningful?
I determined my results were meaningful by looking at the subjects. All of them had “Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide” and “Carbon Cycle (biogeochemistry)” within there subjects.
6. Which article did you choose? Give the bibliographic information for that article.
I choose the last article because it focused more on global carbon cycle and the effect on humans as well as the natural world.
BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
Title: “Global Carbon Cycle: Integrating Humans, Climate, and the Natural World.”
Author: Field, Christopher B. and Raupach, Michael R.
Publisher: Island Press.
Released: 2004
Subjects: Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Cycle (biogeochemistry), greenhouse gas mitigation, Nature—effect on human beings on.
7. How did you determine these articles were meaningful?
I determined this particular article was meaningful because it fit what I was looking for: “Global Carbon Cycle,” unlike the two other articles that I believed was more about carbon dioxide in different ways.
SECOND DATABASE
1. Which database did you choose for your search?
I choose the database “ISI web of knowledge” the science index.
2. What terms did you enter to conduct your search?
I entered the terms “carbon” on one line of the topic and “cycle” on the other line of the topic.
3. How many results did you retrieve?
I retrieved 14,330 results with these particular terms.
4. If there were more than 100 results, how did you refine your search terms to narrow your results?
I refined my search by clicking the “Environmental Sciences” to the left in the subject areas and still recovered 1,887 results. I then changed ‘document type’ to articles and retrieved 1,560. Lastly, I went to ‘more options’ at the bottom of the subject box area and clicked ‘Environmental Sciences” again and retrieved 75 results.
5. Once you got your results to around 100 (or fewer), how did you determine they were meaningful?
I determined these results were meaningful by looking at the titles this time, and getting an understanding of whether the article might be relevant to my search topic.
6. Which article did you choose? Give the bibliographic information for that article.
I choose the tenth article because it included information on the human carbon footprint which we are now learning in our cluster class. This relates to the carbon cycle which humans have an effect on the carbon cycle and output.
BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
Title: “Quantifying the global and distributional aspects of American household carbon footprint.”
Author(s): Weber CL, Matthews HS.
Source: ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS volume 66, Issue 2-3, pages 379-391
Published: June 15, 2008
Times Cited: 1
7. How did you determine these articles were meaningful?
I determined the article was meaningful because it stated information I was particularly looking for.
The main subject of my question is, “carbon cycle.”
2. What subject guide or guides did you use to identify the relevant databases for your question?
I used the subject guide “Environmental Sciences” guide for both of my searches.
FIRST DATABASE SEARCH
1. Which database did you choose for your search?
For this search, I decided to use the “Dictionary of Environmental Science” database.
2. What terms did you enter to conduct your search?
I first entered the search terms “carbon cycle” to conduct my search.
3. How many results did you retrieve?
I retrieved 6,785 documents as results with the terms “carbon cycle.”
4. If there were more than 100 results, how did you refine your search terms to narrow your results?
After receiving 6,785 results, I refined my search by checking the “United States” box, “Research” box, as well as the “Carbon Cycle (biogeochemistry) box located under the book rank tab that popped up. By doing this, I received 1,115 documents. I refined my search again by checking the box “Environmental Sciences” in the same box that states, “Focus your search by selecting an additional subject below.” This gave me no results!!
I refined my search again by leaving the terms “carbon cycle” in the ‘text and key fields’ box and I also left the “united states” OR research OR carbon cycle (biogeochemistry) in the first subject box. I then only checked the box “Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide” which then gave me 3 results.
5. Once you got your results to around 100 (or fewer), how did you determine they were meaningful?
I determined my results were meaningful by looking at the subjects. All of them had “Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide” and “Carbon Cycle (biogeochemistry)” within there subjects.
6. Which article did you choose? Give the bibliographic information for that article.
I choose the last article because it focused more on global carbon cycle and the effect on humans as well as the natural world.
BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
Title: “Global Carbon Cycle: Integrating Humans, Climate, and the Natural World.”
Author: Field, Christopher B. and Raupach, Michael R.
Publisher: Island Press.
Released: 2004
Subjects: Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Cycle (biogeochemistry), greenhouse gas mitigation, Nature—effect on human beings on.
7. How did you determine these articles were meaningful?
I determined this particular article was meaningful because it fit what I was looking for: “Global Carbon Cycle,” unlike the two other articles that I believed was more about carbon dioxide in different ways.
SECOND DATABASE
1. Which database did you choose for your search?
I choose the database “ISI web of knowledge” the science index.
2. What terms did you enter to conduct your search?
I entered the terms “carbon” on one line of the topic and “cycle” on the other line of the topic.
3. How many results did you retrieve?
I retrieved 14,330 results with these particular terms.
4. If there were more than 100 results, how did you refine your search terms to narrow your results?
I refined my search by clicking the “Environmental Sciences” to the left in the subject areas and still recovered 1,887 results. I then changed ‘document type’ to articles and retrieved 1,560. Lastly, I went to ‘more options’ at the bottom of the subject box area and clicked ‘Environmental Sciences” again and retrieved 75 results.
5. Once you got your results to around 100 (or fewer), how did you determine they were meaningful?
I determined these results were meaningful by looking at the titles this time, and getting an understanding of whether the article might be relevant to my search topic.
6. Which article did you choose? Give the bibliographic information for that article.
I choose the tenth article because it included information on the human carbon footprint which we are now learning in our cluster class. This relates to the carbon cycle which humans have an effect on the carbon cycle and output.
BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
Title: “Quantifying the global and distributional aspects of American household carbon footprint.”
Author(s): Weber CL, Matthews HS.
Source: ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS volume 66, Issue 2-3, pages 379-391
Published: June 15, 2008
Times Cited: 1
7. How did you determine these articles were meaningful?
I determined the article was meaningful because it stated information I was particularly looking for.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Periodicals and General Databases part2
FOR MY FIRST DATABASE
1. Which database did you choose for your first search?
I choose the Directory of Open Access Journals.
2. What terms did you enter to conduct your search?
I first entered the search terms, “Geological cycles” with no results. I then tried to make my topic smaller with, “Hydrolic cycle” which also gave me no results. I then decided to choose a smaller cycle, “carbon cycle.”
3. How many results did you retrieve?
When I entered the terms, “Carbon cycle,” I retrieved three results.
4. If there were more than about 100 results, how did you refine your search terms to narrow your results?
I only had three results so this step wasn’t necessary.
5. Once you got your results to around 100 (or fewer), how did you determine they were meaningful?
I determined my results were meaningful because I looked at the keywords which were relevant to what I was looking for to begin with. I was looking for how the carbon cycle affects different things and some of the keywords were “global carbon cycle, climate, and atmospheric carbon dioxide.
6. Which article did you choose? Give the bibliographic information for that article.
From the topic “Carbon Balance and Management,” I then choose the article “Climatic regions as an indicator of forest coarse and fine woody debris carbon stocks in the United States.”
Author: Christopher W. Woodall and Greg C. Liknes
Published: June 9, 2008
Publisher: BioMed Central Ltd.
Volume: 3
7. How did you determine this article was meaningful?
I determined this article was meaningful because it included how carbon is affecting the forest which is part of the carbon cycle itself being that trees (forests) intake carbon dioxide and output oxygen.
FOR MY SEARCH IN ACADEMIC SEARCH PREMIER
1. What terms did you enter to conduct your search?
I entered the terms “carbon and cycle.”
2. How many results did you retrieve?
I retrieved 1801 results.
3. If there were more than about 100 results, how did you refine your search terms to narrow your results?
I narrowed my results by entering ‘carbon’ on one line and then ‘forest change’ in another under the “subject terms” search.
4. What differences did you note in how you needed to manipulate your search terms in this different database?
I noticed that you have to concentrate on one word as your main topic, and then choose another term or terms to focus on one area. I choose my main word as “carbon” and my other search terms to focus on that area as “forest change.”
5. Once you got your results to around 100, how did you determine they were meaningful?
I determined my results were meaningful because the information was related to my topic.
6. Which article did you choose? Give the bibliographic information for that article.
I choose the article, “Forests of the past: A window of future changes.”
Author: Petit, Remy J.
Feng Sheng Hu.
Dick, Christopher W.
Document type: article
ISSN: 00368075
Database: Academic Search Premier
Source: Science; 6/13/2008. vol. 320 Issue 5882, p.1450-1452 3p, 1 graph, 1 color.
7. How did you determine this article was meaningful?
I determined this article was meaningful because it told of how carbon in the environment has affected the forest changes and that was relevant to what I was looking for and it matched my search terms.
1. Which database did you choose for your first search?
I choose the Directory of Open Access Journals.
2. What terms did you enter to conduct your search?
I first entered the search terms, “Geological cycles” with no results. I then tried to make my topic smaller with, “Hydrolic cycle” which also gave me no results. I then decided to choose a smaller cycle, “carbon cycle.”
3. How many results did you retrieve?
When I entered the terms, “Carbon cycle,” I retrieved three results.
4. If there were more than about 100 results, how did you refine your search terms to narrow your results?
I only had three results so this step wasn’t necessary.
5. Once you got your results to around 100 (or fewer), how did you determine they were meaningful?
I determined my results were meaningful because I looked at the keywords which were relevant to what I was looking for to begin with. I was looking for how the carbon cycle affects different things and some of the keywords were “global carbon cycle, climate, and atmospheric carbon dioxide.
6. Which article did you choose? Give the bibliographic information for that article.
From the topic “Carbon Balance and Management,” I then choose the article “Climatic regions as an indicator of forest coarse and fine woody debris carbon stocks in the United States.”
Author: Christopher W. Woodall and Greg C. Liknes
Published: June 9, 2008
Publisher: BioMed Central Ltd.
Volume: 3
7. How did you determine this article was meaningful?
I determined this article was meaningful because it included how carbon is affecting the forest which is part of the carbon cycle itself being that trees (forests) intake carbon dioxide and output oxygen.
FOR MY SEARCH IN ACADEMIC SEARCH PREMIER
1. What terms did you enter to conduct your search?
I entered the terms “carbon and cycle.”
2. How many results did you retrieve?
I retrieved 1801 results.
3. If there were more than about 100 results, how did you refine your search terms to narrow your results?
I narrowed my results by entering ‘carbon’ on one line and then ‘forest change’ in another under the “subject terms” search.
4. What differences did you note in how you needed to manipulate your search terms in this different database?
I noticed that you have to concentrate on one word as your main topic, and then choose another term or terms to focus on one area. I choose my main word as “carbon” and my other search terms to focus on that area as “forest change.”
5. Once you got your results to around 100, how did you determine they were meaningful?
I determined my results were meaningful because the information was related to my topic.
6. Which article did you choose? Give the bibliographic information for that article.
I choose the article, “Forests of the past: A window of future changes.”
Author: Petit, Remy J.
Feng Sheng Hu.
Dick, Christopher W.
Document type: article
ISSN: 00368075
Database: Academic Search Premier
Source: Science; 6/13/2008. vol. 320 Issue 5882, p.1450-1452 3p, 1 graph, 1 color.
7. How did you determine this article was meaningful?
I determined this article was meaningful because it told of how carbon in the environment has affected the forest changes and that was relevant to what I was looking for and it matched my search terms.
1. What three periodicals did you choose?
From group 1, I choose "Time."
From group 2, I choose "Chemical and Engineering News."
From group 3, I choose "Comparative Psychology."
2. Name three articles, one from each of the three journals you chose.
In the periodical "Time," I choose the article, "Congo seeks Protection: Despite the arrest of a rebel leader, the world's most brutal war persists. When should the international community intervene? By Alex Perry/Goma.
In the periodical "Chemical and Engineering News," I choose the article, "EC moves on CFCs, other air pollutants." By Dermot O'Sullican, London.
In the periodical "Comparative Psychology," I choose the article, "Squirrel Monkeys (saimiri Sciureus) choose smaller Food arrays: Long-term Retention, choice with Nonpreferred Food, and Transposition." By James R. Anderson, University of Stirling, Shunji Awazn and Kazuo Fujita, Kyoto University.
3. What are the three major differences amoung these articles?
The three major differences amoung these articles are the information within them, the context of the information, and how the information was obtained. In the "Time" article of "Congo Seeks Protection," the information is based on an international country that is having internal problems in which other countries are worried when and how to stop or contribute to helping the community and its people. The context of the article was written with first hand accountability that was among photographs of the Congo people that contributed their first-hand account of their environment. The "Chemical and Engineering News," article of "EC moves on CFCs, other air pollutants" focused on the contribution of CFCs into the environment and the results being the depletion of the ozone layer. The "Comparative Psychology" article of, "Squirrel Monkeys" was interesting and very detailed on how the squirrel monkeys reacted to nonpreferred food. It was a detailed article that reflected the scientific method.
4. What are the three major differences amoung these periodicals?
The three major differences amoung these periodicals are the differences of informational studies conducted by people of different cultures, communities and educational backgrounds. The "Time" periodical is simply a wide range of different subjects around the world that are important to all different types of people, whether they are in stocks, interested in environmental issues, world-wide issues, or just simply interested in recent topics. The information in this periodical is very much in depth, with a wide range of topics that are reported with great credible details. The "Chemical and Engineering News" periodical centered on community on-going projects having to do with building/construction of a certain area or project as well as environmental issues that were persisting at the time. The "Comparative Psychology" periodical consisted of interesting studies that were conducted in order to better understand how animals react to certain objects or theories.
From group 1, I choose "Time."
From group 2, I choose "Chemical and Engineering News."
From group 3, I choose "Comparative Psychology."
2. Name three articles, one from each of the three journals you chose.
In the periodical "Time," I choose the article, "Congo seeks Protection: Despite the arrest of a rebel leader, the world's most brutal war persists. When should the international community intervene? By Alex Perry/Goma.
In the periodical "Chemical and Engineering News," I choose the article, "EC moves on CFCs, other air pollutants." By Dermot O'Sullican, London.
In the periodical "Comparative Psychology," I choose the article, "Squirrel Monkeys (saimiri Sciureus) choose smaller Food arrays: Long-term Retention, choice with Nonpreferred Food, and Transposition." By James R. Anderson, University of Stirling, Shunji Awazn and Kazuo Fujita, Kyoto University.
3. What are the three major differences amoung these articles?
The three major differences amoung these articles are the information within them, the context of the information, and how the information was obtained. In the "Time" article of "Congo Seeks Protection," the information is based on an international country that is having internal problems in which other countries are worried when and how to stop or contribute to helping the community and its people. The context of the article was written with first hand accountability that was among photographs of the Congo people that contributed their first-hand account of their environment. The "Chemical and Engineering News," article of "EC moves on CFCs, other air pollutants" focused on the contribution of CFCs into the environment and the results being the depletion of the ozone layer. The "Comparative Psychology" article of, "Squirrel Monkeys" was interesting and very detailed on how the squirrel monkeys reacted to nonpreferred food. It was a detailed article that reflected the scientific method.
4. What are the three major differences amoung these periodicals?
The three major differences amoung these periodicals are the differences of informational studies conducted by people of different cultures, communities and educational backgrounds. The "Time" periodical is simply a wide range of different subjects around the world that are important to all different types of people, whether they are in stocks, interested in environmental issues, world-wide issues, or just simply interested in recent topics. The information in this periodical is very much in depth, with a wide range of topics that are reported with great credible details. The "Chemical and Engineering News" periodical centered on community on-going projects having to do with building/construction of a certain area or project as well as environmental issues that were persisting at the time. The "Comparative Psychology" periodical consisted of interesting studies that were conducted in order to better understand how animals react to certain objects or theories.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Reference Works: Library Catalog
1. Which of your questions did you try to answer?
The question I tried to answer was, "What is the Hydrolic cycle?"
2. What exact terms did you enter into the keyword search screen?
I entered these terms all under 'reference collection' to see what my results might be:
a. Hydrolic cycle-no results
b. Percipatation-no results
c. Geological cycle-no results
As you can see I went broader with my search terms and smaller, as an experiment as to what might give me back results.
Lastly, I tried the broadest of my whole subject, "Naturl Ecosystems," which returned me one result.
3. What subject heading did you choose to be sure your item was on target and the best option for your search?
Since my search only recovered one subject heading, I choose that one. I noticed when I clicked on the "more details" tab or the "find similar items" tab, there were other subject headings to choose from.
Those subject headings consisted of:
"Human Beings"-influence on nature--maps
"Natural resources"-maps
"Economic geography"-map
"Economic geography-statistics
I unded up just picking the only result that came up when I entered the key terms, "natural ecosystems."
4. What item did you eventually choose? Why?
I eventually choose the only subject heading that was first shown to me as a result of my key terms, "Natural Ecosystems." I figured it was a sufficent subject heading to choose from because after all, the hydrolic cycle is a part of the Natural Ecosystems on Earth.
5. Give the bibliographic information for the item you chose.
Author- Seager, Joni
Title- "The New State of the Earth Atlas: a concise survey of the environment through full-color international maps
Publication Information- New York; Simon & Schuster; 1995
Edition-2nd
Addition Authors- Reed, Clark and Stott, Rett
Location: Reference/Map Room
Call Number: G1046 G3 S4 1995
Status: ON THE SHELF
6. When you looked at the reference work, what quote did you choose? Why?
When I looked at the reference work, I was looking for a quote that explained how the "hydrolic cycle" is important to all life on Earth. The quote I found, I feel, summarizes just that. "Water serves many roles: it is a service commodity for agriculture, industry, and urban growth, but it is also a key life suport for all species and ecosystems." (105). I also chose this quote because, not only did it sum up all information on water being inportant, but it was also the only information in text form that I would be able to share with you. This particular book was mostly maps of international land showing the importance and/or effects of certain resources, all by color coding.
7. What makes this refernce book as opposed to a regular book you might find in the book stacks?
This reference book, as opposed to a regular book one might find on the book stacks, is the content of the information. This book illustrated in depth how the world and the amount of each resource affects the land and where the particular resource is located or not located, and it shows where the resource is effecting or not effecting certain places.
8. In looking at the material in the book and the publication date in the bibliographic information, what year do you think the information really comes from?
After looking at the wiki page, and other modules I looked at throughout the process of this assignment, I noticed that reference works were usually published after some five years of being written. Therefore, I believe this information is by far at least, five years older from the publication date of 1995, resulting in the information being from 1990.
The question I tried to answer was, "What is the Hydrolic cycle?"
2. What exact terms did you enter into the keyword search screen?
I entered these terms all under 'reference collection' to see what my results might be:
a. Hydrolic cycle-no results
b. Percipatation-no results
c. Geological cycle-no results
As you can see I went broader with my search terms and smaller, as an experiment as to what might give me back results.
Lastly, I tried the broadest of my whole subject, "Naturl Ecosystems," which returned me one result.
3. What subject heading did you choose to be sure your item was on target and the best option for your search?
Since my search only recovered one subject heading, I choose that one. I noticed when I clicked on the "more details" tab or the "find similar items" tab, there were other subject headings to choose from.
Those subject headings consisted of:
"Human Beings"-influence on nature--maps
"Natural resources"-maps
"Economic geography"-map
"Economic geography-statistics
I unded up just picking the only result that came up when I entered the key terms, "natural ecosystems."
4. What item did you eventually choose? Why?
I eventually choose the only subject heading that was first shown to me as a result of my key terms, "Natural Ecosystems." I figured it was a sufficent subject heading to choose from because after all, the hydrolic cycle is a part of the Natural Ecosystems on Earth.
5. Give the bibliographic information for the item you chose.
Author- Seager, Joni
Title- "The New State of the Earth Atlas: a concise survey of the environment through full-color international maps
Publication Information- New York; Simon & Schuster; 1995
Edition-2nd
Addition Authors- Reed, Clark and Stott, Rett
Location: Reference/Map Room
Call Number: G1046 G3 S4 1995
Status: ON THE SHELF
6. When you looked at the reference work, what quote did you choose? Why?
When I looked at the reference work, I was looking for a quote that explained how the "hydrolic cycle" is important to all life on Earth. The quote I found, I feel, summarizes just that. "Water serves many roles: it is a service commodity for agriculture, industry, and urban growth, but it is also a key life suport for all species and ecosystems." (105). I also chose this quote because, not only did it sum up all information on water being inportant, but it was also the only information in text form that I would be able to share with you. This particular book was mostly maps of international land showing the importance and/or effects of certain resources, all by color coding.
7. What makes this refernce book as opposed to a regular book you might find in the book stacks?
This reference book, as opposed to a regular book one might find on the book stacks, is the content of the information. This book illustrated in depth how the world and the amount of each resource affects the land and where the particular resource is located or not located, and it shows where the resource is effecting or not effecting certain places.
8. In looking at the material in the book and the publication date in the bibliographic information, what year do you think the information really comes from?
After looking at the wiki page, and other modules I looked at throughout the process of this assignment, I noticed that reference works were usually published after some five years of being written. Therefore, I believe this information is by far at least, five years older from the publication date of 1995, resulting in the information being from 1990.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Catalog Results
1. The two catalog entries I tried gave me no results when entered into the "advanced keyword search." The entries are:
1. CFCs AND ozone layer
2. ozone depletion AND CFCS
The catalog then gave me other results based on its findings using the search terms: 'ozone and layer' and 'ozone and depletion and CFCs.'
BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
a. Author-Cagin, Smith
b. Title-Between Earth and Sky: how CFCs changed our world and endangered the ozone layer.
c. Edition-1st
d. Place of Publication-New York
e. Publisher-Pantheon Books
f. Date of Publication-1993
2. The location of the book is in the "Book Stacks"
call number: TD887.C47.C34.1993
Status: ON THE SHELF
3. When I clicked the "Full Record Tab," the catalog showed me all subject headings:
4. SUBJECT HEADING INDEX
Edition-1st
Describt=xi, 430p. :ill. j24cm
Note-inclueds bibliographical references (p.[401]-408) and index
Subject-Chlorofluorocarbons-Environmental aspects.
Ozone layer depletion
Addl Author-Dray, Phillip
Subject heading I choose-ozone layer depletion.
There were 15 results of relevance to the subject heading I choose.
5. a. Do you have more or fewer entries with your subject heading search than with your keyword search?
Yes! With my keyword search in the beginning, the catalog only gabe me one result after it changed my advanced search terms into terms it recognized, which were my original terms only in a variation. As a result of that, I only recieved one result, the author being Smith Cagin. I recieved 15 results when I choose the subject heading of my choice, "Ozone layer depletion."
b. As you examine these results, are they more on target then the results you retrieved from your keyword search?
Yes my results were very much more on target compared to my keyword search. The first results were more in depth about exact substances that deplete the ozone layer, which I happened to find more useful then just regular descriptions and definitions of the key terms which I have experienced in the past with researching resources. I think the results are desired because by choosing a subject heading, it is in context of what the library catalog already offers or recognizes.
B. In your own words, describe the difference between a keyword search and a subject heading search.
In my own words, the difference between a keyword seach and a subject heading search is not that big. A keyword seach are words that are not recognized thoroughly by the search engine or catalog in which one is using. In my case, the catalog switched my keywords into phrases in which it recognized and gave me results in the end. A subject heading is more programmed by the catalog through coding of structured language which makes it easier to find and give results to the user.
1. CFCs AND ozone layer
2. ozone depletion AND CFCS
The catalog then gave me other results based on its findings using the search terms: 'ozone and layer' and 'ozone and depletion and CFCs.'
BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
a. Author-Cagin, Smith
b. Title-Between Earth and Sky: how CFCs changed our world and endangered the ozone layer.
c. Edition-1st
d. Place of Publication-New York
e. Publisher-Pantheon Books
f. Date of Publication-1993
2. The location of the book is in the "Book Stacks"
call number: TD887.C47.C34.1993
Status: ON THE SHELF
3. When I clicked the "Full Record Tab," the catalog showed me all subject headings:
4. SUBJECT HEADING INDEX
Edition-1st
Describt=xi, 430p. :ill. j24cm
Note-inclueds bibliographical references (p.[401]-408) and index
Subject-Chlorofluorocarbons-Environmental aspects.
Ozone layer depletion
Addl Author-Dray, Phillip
Subject heading I choose-ozone layer depletion.
There were 15 results of relevance to the subject heading I choose.
5. a. Do you have more or fewer entries with your subject heading search than with your keyword search?
Yes! With my keyword search in the beginning, the catalog only gabe me one result after it changed my advanced search terms into terms it recognized, which were my original terms only in a variation. As a result of that, I only recieved one result, the author being Smith Cagin. I recieved 15 results when I choose the subject heading of my choice, "Ozone layer depletion."
b. As you examine these results, are they more on target then the results you retrieved from your keyword search?
Yes my results were very much more on target compared to my keyword search. The first results were more in depth about exact substances that deplete the ozone layer, which I happened to find more useful then just regular descriptions and definitions of the key terms which I have experienced in the past with researching resources. I think the results are desired because by choosing a subject heading, it is in context of what the library catalog already offers or recognizes.
B. In your own words, describe the difference between a keyword search and a subject heading search.
In my own words, the difference between a keyword seach and a subject heading search is not that big. A keyword seach are words that are not recognized thoroughly by the search engine or catalog in which one is using. In my case, the catalog switched my keywords into phrases in which it recognized and gave me results in the end. A subject heading is more programmed by the catalog through coding of structured language which makes it easier to find and give results to the user.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Sizing Your Topic
1. Topic String
a. My broadest topic-"Natural Ecosystems"
How the world functions without the impact of human activity.
b. My next broad topic-"Biochemical Cycles"
Cycles that contain the elements of carbon, nitrogen and phosphate, for example photosynthesis.
c. My starting topic-"Geological Cycle"
Cycles such as the Tectonic, Hydrolic and Rock cycles which make up Earth in many ways.
d. My narrower topic-"Hydrolic Cycle"
The transfer of water from the ocean, to the atmosphere to land and back into the ocean as a starting point.
e. My even narrower topic-"Percipatation"
The stage in the Hydrolic Cycle in which water goes to land and oceans in the form of snow, hail, and rain.
2. Think of two questions that you could ask about your topic.
a. In the Hydrolic Cycle, when exactly does percipation take place and what is it caused by?
b. How does the Geological Cycle become part of the Biochemical cycle?
a. My broadest topic-"Natural Ecosystems"
How the world functions without the impact of human activity.
b. My next broad topic-"Biochemical Cycles"
Cycles that contain the elements of carbon, nitrogen and phosphate, for example photosynthesis.
c. My starting topic-"Geological Cycle"
Cycles such as the Tectonic, Hydrolic and Rock cycles which make up Earth in many ways.
d. My narrower topic-"Hydrolic Cycle"
The transfer of water from the ocean, to the atmosphere to land and back into the ocean as a starting point.
e. My even narrower topic-"Percipatation"
The stage in the Hydrolic Cycle in which water goes to land and oceans in the form of snow, hail, and rain.
2. Think of two questions that you could ask about your topic.
a. In the Hydrolic Cycle, when exactly does percipation take place and what is it caused by?
b. How does the Geological Cycle become part of the Biochemical cycle?
Friday, January 16, 2009
Research Log Entry
1. What is Delicious?
Delicious seems to be a tool for the web that gives web researchers the ability to save, bookmark, manage, and tag their pages. It is a way to keep and save your searches and to view and share with others later.
2. What is the advantage of this web 2.0 tool?
The advantages of this web tool are book-marking web pages which allows on to keep and save sites in order to view and/or share it at a later time. You can also organize these searches by categories.
c. Do you think you might use it? If so, why? If not, why?
I might try it out and explore it a bit more. Being a college student, there is a big amount of research you must do in order to complete certain assignments thoroughly and it is important to keep track of your searches for a later date, so it could come in handy for me.
Delicious seems to be a tool for the web that gives web researchers the ability to save, bookmark, manage, and tag their pages. It is a way to keep and save your searches and to view and share with others later.
2. What is the advantage of this web 2.0 tool?
The advantages of this web tool are book-marking web pages which allows on to keep and save sites in order to view and/or share it at a later time. You can also organize these searches by categories.
c. Do you think you might use it? If so, why? If not, why?
I might try it out and explore it a bit more. Being a college student, there is a big amount of research you must do in order to complete certain assignments thoroughly and it is important to keep track of your searches for a later date, so it could come in handy for me.
Research Log Entry-unit 1, part 2
1. What question did you try to answer?
What are global hectares?
2. What terms did you select to begin?
Global Hectares
Global OR Hectares
“Global Hectares”
3. What web search engine or engines did you use?
I used the search engines Yahoo, Google, and Ask.
4. Search Techniques
a. What search terms did you use?
I used the words “Global Hectares” in combinations with Boolean Operators and punctuation.
b. What search techniques did you use?
I used three search techniques and tried them in all three search engines I choose:
1. Global Hectares
2. Global OR Hectares
3. “Global Hectares”
Search Results for Each Engine Listed:
Google
1. global hectares-3,730,000-information on what terms mean
2. global OR hectares-667,000,000-lots of unrelated sites
3. "global hectares"-14,500-information on the terms
Yahoo
1. global hectares-3,730,000-scientific information
2. global OR hectares-3,190,000,000-unrelated sites
3. “global hectares”-60,200-maps and other visuals
Ask
1. global hectares-284,000-visuals, articles
2. global OR hectares-84,780,000 related information only to science
3. “global hectares”-3,030-narrowed results
5. Evaluation
a. How did you evaluate your results?
I evaluated my search results by looking at the currency of the page, the depth of the information and how relevant the information was to my search.
b. What conclusions did you draw about the different search engines?
1. What was the same?
While searching my three terms in each engine, the aspect that was similar was that each engine gave me websites explaining the terms, “Global Hectares.”
2. What was different?
The difference for each engine and search were the variety of results to choose from. I was given visuals, articles, unrelated websites and information, scientific information on my topic and exact information.
3. Differences in numbers of results
Throughout all variations of my search terms, Yahoo was the engine that gave me the most results. I noticed Google gave me more variety when searching but Ask gave me the lowest number of results with yet the most useful information which I found surprising.
c. Why do you think the search engines behaved as they did?
Well, Yahoo is said to be the largest search engine which explains why I received the most results throughout my 3 searches on it. From the wiki search engine tab, I noticed Google and Ask, my results were little in number but seemed credible and more useful than my results on Google.
6. What other questions came into your mind as you carried out this exercise?
A big question that came to mind while carrying out this exercise is “If Ask seemed as if it was giving me the best results, why haven’t I used it before?”
What are global hectares?
2. What terms did you select to begin?
Global Hectares
Global OR Hectares
“Global Hectares”
3. What web search engine or engines did you use?
I used the search engines Yahoo, Google, and Ask.
4. Search Techniques
a. What search terms did you use?
I used the words “Global Hectares” in combinations with Boolean Operators and punctuation.
b. What search techniques did you use?
I used three search techniques and tried them in all three search engines I choose:
1. Global Hectares
2. Global OR Hectares
3. “Global Hectares”
Search Results for Each Engine Listed:
1. global hectares-3,730,000-information on what terms mean
2. global OR hectares-667,000,000-lots of unrelated sites
3. "global hectares"-14,500-information on the terms
Yahoo
1. global hectares-3,730,000-scientific information
2. global OR hectares-3,190,000,000-unrelated sites
3. “global hectares”-60,200-maps and other visuals
Ask
1. global hectares-284,000-visuals, articles
2. global OR hectares-84,780,000 related information only to science
3. “global hectares”-3,030-narrowed results
5. Evaluation
a. How did you evaluate your results?
I evaluated my search results by looking at the currency of the page, the depth of the information and how relevant the information was to my search.
b. What conclusions did you draw about the different search engines?
1. What was the same?
While searching my three terms in each engine, the aspect that was similar was that each engine gave me websites explaining the terms, “Global Hectares.”
2. What was different?
The difference for each engine and search were the variety of results to choose from. I was given visuals, articles, unrelated websites and information, scientific information on my topic and exact information.
3. Differences in numbers of results
Throughout all variations of my search terms, Yahoo was the engine that gave me the most results. I noticed Google gave me more variety when searching but Ask gave me the lowest number of results with yet the most useful information which I found surprising.
c. Why do you think the search engines behaved as they did?
Well, Yahoo is said to be the largest search engine which explains why I received the most results throughout my 3 searches on it. From the wiki search engine tab, I noticed Google and Ask, my results were little in number but seemed credible and more useful than my results on Google.
6. What other questions came into your mind as you carried out this exercise?
A big question that came to mind while carrying out this exercise is “If Ask seemed as if it was giving me the best results, why haven’t I used it before?”
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Research Log Activity and Entry
1. What question did you try to answer?
How do CFC's (chlorofluorocarbons) affect the ozone layer?
2. What search engines did you use?
I used Google as my first search engine because I am very familiar and comfortable with using it. I also used Yahoo! as my second search engine because I am less familiar with using it.
3. What search terms did you use?
1. Chlorofluorocarbons affect ozone layer
2. Chlorofluorocarbons or ozone layer
4. How many results did you get when you entered your terms? How many did you get when you used "or"? Which set was bigger? Can you figure out why?
1. Chlorofluorocarbons affect ozone layer
Google results-496,000
Yahoo! results- 1,150,000
2. Chlorofluorocarbons or ozone layer
Google results-197,00
Yahoo results-1,150,000
The Yahoo! results with "or" was the bigger set of results. The word "or" in my search made the results expand because it responds to the two components of "CFC" and "ozone layer" as two individual searches instead of one which resulted in a wider search with more results.
Evaluation-www.epa.gov/ozone/science/sc_fact.html
I used what I think are the three most important evaluation elements to consider when researching on the web.
*Authority and credibility-who published the web page and are they accredited or endorsed by a reputable organization?
*The currency of the website-when the page was last updated
*The relevancy of the information to my search
1. What conclusion did you draw about the value of the site and why?
My conclusion of the value of the site is that it is credible, useful, and factual information. The website produced by the "U.S. Environmental Protection Agency" which makes me believe the site is using factual information.
2. Having conducted this research activity, what questions came into your mind that you would use to continue your exploration?
When conducting this search, I began thinking of how such basic everydy things my household uses like hairspray, can damage the ozone layer by making holes. With that information, I would want to continue by learning "what other basic items causes these ozone holes by releasing CFC's and how can I avoid using them?"
How do CFC's (chlorofluorocarbons) affect the ozone layer?
2. What search engines did you use?
I used Google as my first search engine because I am very familiar and comfortable with using it. I also used Yahoo! as my second search engine because I am less familiar with using it.
3. What search terms did you use?
1. Chlorofluorocarbons affect ozone layer
2. Chlorofluorocarbons or ozone layer
4. How many results did you get when you entered your terms? How many did you get when you used "or"? Which set was bigger? Can you figure out why?
1. Chlorofluorocarbons affect ozone layer
Google results-496,000
Yahoo! results- 1,150,000
2. Chlorofluorocarbons or ozone layer
Google results-197,00
Yahoo results-1,150,000
The Yahoo! results with "or" was the bigger set of results. The word "or" in my search made the results expand because it responds to the two components of "CFC" and "ozone layer" as two individual searches instead of one which resulted in a wider search with more results.
Evaluation-www.epa.gov/ozone/science/sc_fact.html
I used what I think are the three most important evaluation elements to consider when researching on the web.
*Authority and credibility-who published the web page and are they accredited or endorsed by a reputable organization?
*The currency of the website-when the page was last updated
*The relevancy of the information to my search
1. What conclusion did you draw about the value of the site and why?
My conclusion of the value of the site is that it is credible, useful, and factual information. The website produced by the "U.S. Environmental Protection Agency" which makes me believe the site is using factual information.
2. Having conducted this research activity, what questions came into your mind that you would use to continue your exploration?
When conducting this search, I began thinking of how such basic everydy things my household uses like hairspray, can damage the ozone layer by making holes. With that information, I would want to continue by learning "what other basic items causes these ozone holes by releasing CFC's and how can I avoid using them?"
Research Log
- There were a number of concepts presented this week. A. Which did you know already? B. Which were new to you?
A. The concepts this week related to evaluating web resources I already had knowledge of from previous research projects. My past English instructors have taught me to check credibility and currency. I am also familiar with search engines but not as in depth as I have read since beginning this unit.
B. The concept of "Boolean Operators" was new to me. I am, however, familiar with the words "and" and "not" as being words of fewer or more ideas. I also did not know how to critique websites in such a way that has been presented to me in order to insure effective web researching.
2. If you were given a research assignment and you chose the web as one strategy for your search, name three important evaluation elements you need to consider.
Three important evaluation elements I would consider when researching on the web are:
1. Authority and credibility
2. currency of the information and the website itself
3. the relevance of the information related to my research.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Intro to Library Welcome blog
This is my first blog! I'm just checking to see if I can post this correctly!!! (don't mind me)
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