Library Tutorials and Activities

VIDEO: What is Original (Primary) Research in Criminology? (19:38)

Describes the typical structure of an original research article, with a particular focus on the Methods section. It shows examples of several types of original research articles (qualitative and quantitative, including articles using secondary data, and meta-analyses), as well as several types of secondary articles (book reviews, editorial essays, theoretical analyses and literature reviews). The emphasis is on learning to read the abstract for indications of original research, and checking for a Methods section in the article.
Part 1 of the Finding Original Research Articles in Criminology video series.

VIDEO: Choosing an Appropriate Research Database (8:39)

Shows students how to locate the library's research databases, and describes different types of databases, as well as how to locate databases which focus on a particular subject area.
Part 3 of the Finding Original Research Articles in Criminology video series.

VIDEO: Searching in Databases: Basic Tips (30:49)

Learn how to transform a research question into database search strategy​ that will help you locate relevant articles.
Part 4 of the Finding Original Research Articles in Criminology video series.

The learning objectives for this video are that students will use the Criminal Justice Abstracts database to learn how to:

• transform a research question into database search strategy
• break down a research question into its main concepts (WHO, WHAT, WHERE), and then into search keywords
• put keywords together in a way that a database can understand using the AND Boolean operator
• understand the basics of how databases work to take advantage of their strengths and avoid their weaknesses
• appreciate that that searching in databases is a process of trial and error; there is no simple formula for the perfect search.

VIDEO: Improving Your Database Search Strategy (26:58)

Take your basic search a step further. Learn how to expand and narrow your database search results to focus in on relevant articles. Also covers how to create and save a folder of useful articles. Builds on the Basic Tips video.
Part 5 of the Finding Original Research Articles in Criminology video series.

The learning objectives for this video are that students will use the Criminal Justice Abstracts database to learn how to:

• expand their search results using the OR Boolean operator and truncaction/wildcard searching
• narrow their search results using the AND Boolean command, field searching, date range, and reseach methodology limiters
• save their search results