Library Project - Assignment #2

The Library Project http://www.qvcc.commnet.edu/library Danielson Library: 1-860-412-7272 Willimantic Library Learning Center: 1-860-412-7285

Part 2: Finding Reference Sources Reference sources are great for finding background information about almost any topic. A good reference source provides you an overview of a subject so that you can begin to think about how you might narrow your topic as your project moves forward. Encyclopedias are one type of reference source. Some reference sources are print versions and others are on the Web (e-reference). Finding general information on a topic is the second step in a research project. Part 2 of The Library Project requires you to find reliable reference information on your crime topic. You must find at least 2 pages of information on your crime topic in either a print reference or e-reference sources. Once you find your information, photocopy or print the document (depending on the format). We will also ask you to look at Wikipedia to consider some important differences. Examples of suggested reference sources are listed below.

Step 1 - Use a reference source Format

Possible Sources

Print

Location

Encyclopedia of White-Collar and Corporate Crime

REF HV6768 .E63 2005 v.1-2

Encyclopedia of Crime and Punishment

REF HV 6017 .E524 2002 v.1-4

Encyclopedia of Murder and Violent Crime

REF HV6515 .E5323 2003

Encyclopedia or Crime and Justice

REF HV6071 .E52 2002 v.1-4

Encyclopedia of Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity

REF HV6322.7 .E532 2005 v.1-3

Encyclopedia of Law Enforcement

REF HV7921 .E53 2005 v.1-3

Encyclopedia Britannica Online

QVCC Library website

Encyclopedia of Espionage, Intelligence, and Security

QVCC Library website

Encyclopedia of Population

QVCC Library website

National Criminal Justice Reference Service

http://www.ncjrs.gov

LII: Legal Information Institute Overviews

http://topics.law.cornell.edu/wex/category/ov erview

e-reference

Step 2 - Find citation information for your source •

If you used a print source, you will need to retrieve the Book Record from QVCC Library’s Online Catalog. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Use Internet Explorer to open the library home page. Click the Research button. Click Online Catalog. The default search is  Keyword. Change this to  Title. Drop A, An, The from the title if they are the first word.

Finding the Book Record for print reference:

Once you find a reference book, you can search for it by title in the Online Catalog.

A search in the Online Catalog will lead you to the Book Record. Be sure to Print this screen. Book Records provide you with all the information you’ll need to cite your source.

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If you used an e-reference, your source should provide you with an example of how to cite the information. In Encyclopedia Britannica Online, the citation for the entry on Theft looks like this: To cite this page:

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MLA style: "theft." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2008. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 16 July 2008 .

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APA style: theft. (2008). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved July 16, 2008, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online: http://search.eb.com/eb/article-9071967

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The Library Project

Name _________________________________

http://www.qvcc.commnet.edu/library Danielson Library: 1-860-412-7272 Willimantic Library Learning Center: 1-860-412-7285

Due date ______________________________

Assignment for Part 2: Finding Reference Sources •

Decide if you will use print or e-reference. Print reference is located on the bookshelves in Danielson and Willimantic. E-reference is searchable on the QVCC Library website or the Internet. Ask a librarian for help.

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Find an entry on your crime topic that is 2-10 pages long. Use an index to find entries in print reference.

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Photocopy (10 cents a page) or print your entry. Be sure to have the title of the entry, the author’s name, and the page range.

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Print the citation information (Book Record or e-reference citation sentence).

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Read the article and highlight or underline important information.

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Answer the questions below on a separate piece of paper, typed, double-spaced, in complete sentences. Spelling and grammar count. Follow these instructions carefully. Failure to follow directions/turn in your sources/etc. will result in a 5 point penalty for each infraction. A penalty will also occur for each class the assignment is late.

The Questions for Part 2 1.

Once again, what is your topic? Remember to use a complete sentence. (10 points)

2.

And also once again, why did you choose this topic? What about it interested you? Answer in at least 23 sentences. (10 points)

3.

Briefly summarize in about 8-12 sentences the most important points of your entry. Reminder: Summarizing means putting things into your own words. Do not simply copy lines from the entry. This is a form of plagiarism. (20 points)

4.

What is the impact of your topic? Who does it affect? Family members? Society as a whole? Write 4-6 sentences describing your topic’s impact. (20 points)

5.

What did you find most interesting or important about your entry? Answer in 4-6 sentences. (10 points)

6.

What did you find the least interesting or least important about your entry? Answer in 4-6 sentences (10 points)

7.

Create 2 questions that you have about your topic that go beyond what you read in the entry. In other words, what else would you like to learn about this topic that was not mentioned in the entry? (10 points)

8.

Is there an entry on your topic in Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org)? If so, who is the author? Why wouldn’t you use Wikipedia for a research paper or project? (10 points)