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Welcome to the PHYS 499 course guide. This guide covers resources available to you for researching information that will help you complete your course projects. Some tabs also give some tips for searching library databases, and resources for specific projects.
Prior to our in-class Library Research Session: complete the pre-class activities below so you will get the most out of the in-class activities.
Need help figuring out what you're looking for, coming up with a research strategy, knowing which database to search, or finding something you need? Ask me, Tracy Bicknell-Holmes, your librarian!
I know you're very busy! I'm available to meet evenings, weekends or early mornings if that works best for your schedule
Please complete this anonymous, 4 question survey by Tuesday, January 28th at 5pm so the Physics Librarian/Professor can tailor the PHYS 499 library research session so it so it best helps you in your research.
Find the Library Resources Guide for PHYS 499 in Canvas
Your librarian has created a resource guide for your class project. The PHYS 499 guide is linked directly to the course through Canvas. Log into Canvas, go to PHYS 499. Find the "Library Resources" option in the left navigation bar. Look at the Library resources available - including room reservations and help via chat. Find the link to the PHYS 499 Resources guide. Click on the link and take a look at the guide.
What is a Citation Manager and why should I use one?
Citation manager software software allows you to:
Once you have set up citation management software and become familiar with how it works, it can save you a lot of time and headache citing resources when you're writing, and creating a bibliography of sources or references in your papers.
NOTE: There are several different citation managers available. I recommend Zotero. It is open source, free, available from anywhere via the Internet, and has a low learning curve. If you have the time and are interested in how the various citation managers compare, take a look at Belmont University Medical Schools' guide Select a Citation Manager: EndNote, Mendeley, or Zotero
Complete the Zotero Citation Manager Worksheet
We will be using the Zotero during our in-class Library Session. This worksheet will guide you through downloading the software and plugins, saving article records to Zotero and creating citations and a bibliography in a word processing document. Please complete this assignment before you come to class!
If you encounter problems getting records into Zotero, send me an email at tracybicknell-holmes@boisestate.edu and we can do some troubleshooting.
Already using another citation manager like Mendeley or EndNote?
Complete the Citation Manager Exercise using your preferred software to make sure you know how to do all of the things we will be doing in class. Need some tips, go to the EndNote - Citation Manager or Mendeley (Rowan University).
Get Organized
Before you start your research, spend some time preparing and getting organized:
Identify the parameters of the topic such as scope, depth, purpose:
Clearly Define your Topic: Make a list of keywords related to your research question. Include each of the key concepts or variables of interest. Make sure to list synonyms and related terms. As you search and discover new terminology, added it to your list.
Take Good Notes as you Research. This will help you develop your literature review later, and will help you keep track of which sources relate to your research and how. You may want to make note of:
It can be helpful to Keep a search log. Think of this like a research notebook, but one that tracks your search strategy and results. Report the date, database, search string and filters, relevance of results and any other notes that might be useful if you get ideas later or can't remember what you found where.
Track your sources. Using citation manger software like EndNote Web, Zotero and Mendeley can help, and your notes can go right into the software with the citation attached.
Are you Off Campus? Log into my.boisestate.edu first
Many Library resources are paid for by the Library on your behalf, and come with strict licensing agreements. To use them, you will need to go through the Library's proxy server to authenticate you as a BSU affiliate. If you're using Google Scholar and have it set up to help you Find full text in the BSU Library's collection, you won't have access to the full text without authentication.
Log into myboiseState.edu before you start your research and single sign-on will take care of the authentication for you. By doing this you'll avoid the interruptions that come with authentication requests to put in your BSU user name and password to get to materials.
Set up Google Scholar, InterLibrary Loan and a Citation Manager
Before you start your research, take time to do the following if you haven't already done so:
All of these options are free, and will reduce the interruptions you face you do your research. You'll find resources in the pages of this guide to help you accomplish these things.