Make sure you have read all instructions prior to starting this assignment.

• The main purpose of the assignment is to expose you to high quality information resources, resources you can use for the projects your complete for this course.

• Develop a topic
• Identify the keyword(s) or main concept(s) in your topic
• Broaden or narrow the scope of your research
• Use library Call Numbers to find information on the shelves of the Meriam Library.
• Construct and implement effective search strategies using Boolean logic
• Construct a correct citation using APA citation style
• Construct a 3-source Annotated Bibliography

• You must complete this assignment using the instructor-approved topic you will be using for your Problem-Solving Presentation.
• Use the Meriam Library and the Meriam Library's ReSEARCH Station to complete this assignment.
• Portions of the assignment that require you to make photocopies or printouts are marked with a  and a number.
• BE SURE to mark all printouts/photocopies prominently with the corresponding number and staple them, in order, to the end of this assignment. Note: You should only be stapling 7 printouts to this assignment.

Why?  In order to offer solutions for a local or national problem, you need to become aware of the basics of the issue. ProQuest Newsstand is a great resource for this type of information because it provides access to newspaper articles from across the nation including regional areas such as Northern California.

Where?  From the ReSEARCH Station select "Articles & Databases." Under "Databases by Categories" select "General / All Topics." Now select "Newsstand" from the databases listed.

• Do a search related to your problem-solving topic
  • Experiment with several different searches, comparing the search results, in order to get the best results
  
  
• Choose a title from the search results list that interests you the most and that is available in full-text.
  
  
• For the purposes of this assignment, print out only the first page of the article. ¹ [Note: If you want to use this article as a source for your project, you should printout the entire article if it's longer than one page.]
  
  
• Write down the the full title / headline of your article: _____________________
  
  
• What search word(s) did you use to find this article?: __________________
  
  

Why?  You will use the Library Catalog to find books, videos, and other materials. that are located in the Meriam Library. You can search the Library Catalog by author, title, subject, and keyword(s).

Where?  Go to the ReSEARCH Station. The Library Catalog is the first choice in the left hand menu. Simply click on the word "Books".

• When you are happy with the results of a search, print out the first page of the citations you retrieve. ²
  
  
• Now, look through those citations for a book that is located in the the Main Collection and that is not checked out. Circle that title on your printout.

• Print out the Full Record screen. ³
  
  
• Write down the the Call Number of the book:_____________________
  
  
• Write down one Subject heading for this book (listed after "Subjects" in the Full Record):_______________________
  
  
• What search word(s) did you use in Step 2 (above) to find this book?:_______________________

• Make a photocopy of the title page. ⁴
  
  
  • Hint #1: The "Title Page" is not the cover of the book. The "Title Page" is the page inside the cover that contains the Title, Author and Publisher's Name.
    
    
  • Hint #2: Don't panic if the book is isn't on the shelf. Simply go to where it should be shelved and use a book that sits before or after where you would have found your book, and make a photocopy of the title page of that book.
    
    

Why?  Use electronic periodical databases to identify magazine, journal, and newspaper articles using keywords and topics. The types of articles you'll find in library databases are not freely available from open WWW sites. The library pays for you to have access to these databases and many of the articles are available in full-text! (some will be available in print on the shelves of the library, while others will only be available via Interlibrary Loan.)

Using Boolean Operators helps you focus, narrow, or broader your search results.

Where?  From the ReSEARCH Station select "Articles & Databases." "Academic Search" is listed after "Not sure where to start?" at the top of the page, and in the "Quick Links to Databases" near the bottom of the page.

• Scroll down the page until you see a box titled "Publication Type". In this box, select "Periodical".
  
  
• Search the database using keywords related to your problem solving topic. For this search you need to use a search statement that contains at least one Boolean Operators (AND -- OR). Note: You must utilize Boolean Operator(s) for this search. To learn how to use Boolean Operators, use the ChicoOasis tutorial, Chapter 2, which can be found at http://www.csuchico.edu/lins/Oasis/Ch2/index.html
  
• When you are happy with the results of a search, print out the first page of your results screen. ⁵

•  Print out the full record screen for the article your selected.  ⁶ (Hint: The full record screen is the screen that includes the abstract and or subject terms .)
  
  
• Write down the name of your periodical:
  
  _____________________________
  
  
• Write down the article title:
  
  _____________________________
  
  
• Write down the Boolean Search you typed in that led you to this article:
  
  _____________________
  
  
• Write down one subject heading related to your topic that is listed in the Subject Term field on the full record screen you just printed out:
  
  ______________________________________
  
  

Why?  You are required to cite the sources you use for your projects. Annotations are brief descriptions of the content of the sources you cite. This section will give you practice in using the APA style of citation using the sources you located in Sections 1, 2, and 3.

Where?  There are many places you can go to learn how to use APA citation style, including:

• Your CMST 132 workbook. Look for the handout titled: "Guide to APA Style Basics".
  
  
• If you're online, go to the ReSEARCH Station and select "Ready Reference & Quick Facts" then select "Citation Formats". Choose from any option listed under APA Style.
  
  
• If you're in the library, you can find a copy of Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association at the Reference Desk using this Call Number: BF76.7 P83 2001 (Reference)
  
  

• Your references should be formatted according to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5th ed., 2001.
  
  
• Type the references on a separate sheet of paper and turn in with this assignment and the rest of the printouts/photocopies. ⁷

• Be sure to label each of your printouts with the appropriate number and staple them in order to the back of this assignment.
• You should have 7 printouts total.
• Turn in to your instructor.