Toronto Public Library

Research Virtuoso: How to Find Anything You Need to Know Toronto Public Library

Brief Description: "First ed. published under title The research virtuoso: brilliant methods for normal brains"--T.p. verso. Table of Contents: Acknowledgments -- Foreword -- Introduction -- Section 1. Getting Ready: Preparing Yourself for Research -- A Map for Digging Deeper -- Why Scratch When You Can Dig? -- First Step: Make Friends with Your Research Assignment -- Set Up a Research Plan -- Gather Your Thoughts -- Pick Some Brains: Not Just for Zombies -- General Reference Sources: A Researcher's First Date -- Target a Research Focus -- Back to Bloom -- Grab & Go -- Section 2. Digging In: Locating Information -- The Three Types of Information -- The Internet: A Great First Step -- Search Engines: The Creepy Crawlers of the Information Universe -- How to Be a Super Searcher -- Subject Directories: Humans Take Back Control -- The Library: A Gateway to Information -- Library Websites: Gems of Online Research -- OPAC: The Library Catalog That Never Sleeps -- Breakdown of a Catalog Record -- Don't Forget to Browse! -- To Database or Not to Database? -- Become Database-Search Savvy -- The Archive: A Plethora of Primary Sources -- Record versus Archival Record -- Fond of Fonds? More about Fonds -- How to Read a Finding Aid -- Using People as Resources -- Tips for Personal Interviews -- Whither Shall I Wander? Reflecting on Locating Sources -- Grab & Go -- Section 3. Taking Stock: Evaluating and Processing Information -- Skimming and Scanning -- Skimming -- Scanning -- The ABCs of Evaluation -- Evaluating Online Sources with the ABCs -- Evaluating Databases with the ABCs -- Evaluating Print Sources with the ABCs -- Note-Taking: Get Those Thoughts in Order! -- Notes on Note-Taking -- How to Take Notes -- Staying Honest: Crediting Your Sources and Avoiding Plagiarism -- Avoiding Plagiarism -- Dueling Citation Styles -- Think Insight-Not Access -- Grab & Go -- Section 4. Getting It Out There: Communicating Your Research -- A Note on Inspiration: Thesis Time! -- The End Is in Sight: Constructing a Thesis Statement -- Looking at Structure -- Putting It All Together: The Anatomy of a Great Paper -- A Look at Process: Plan for Breaks! -- The Grand Finale: A Checklist -- Bucking the Trend: Submitting a Presentation -- Standing on the Shoulders of Giants -- Grab & Go -- Works Cited -- Index. Biographical Note: "The Research Virtuoso" was developed by a team of experts within the Toronto Public library system. The contributors have extensive backgrounds in the classroom, both as librarians and as authors of award-winning publications on research. Victor Gad's illustrations have appeared in major newspapers and many other publications in the USA, Canada, and Europe. He lives in Toronto. Review Quotes: A practical and very useful tool for both students and adults doing research!Review Quotes: This handy guide, written by two experienced professional librarians, is divided into four major sections: research preparations, information location, information evaluation, and research presentation. At the end of each section are highly useful Grab and Go templates that allow users to organize their findings. These templates include checklists, diagrams, charts, and other similar tools that will prove helpful to researchers. Suggestions are provided for the most efficient ways to approach a variety of sources including libraries, archives, the Internet, people, etc. The guide also suggests possible ways to present findings. This guide would be useful to individual researchers and to instructors who provide guidance. RECOMMENDED--Annette B. Thibodeaux, Librarian, Archbishop Chape"Library Media Connection" (04/01/2013) Marc Notes: First ed. published under title: The research virtuoso: brilliant methods for normal brains.; Includes bibliographical references (p. 116-119) and index.; Issued also in electronic formats. Publisher Marketing: "Take your research skills beyond googling--for school and for life." Armed with this lively guidebook, students will be ready to face the often daunting prospect of conducting serious research in the information age. Fully revised and updated, "The Research Virtuoso" covers all aspects of research: how to decide on a topic, take notes, skim material, evaluate which sources (especially those on the Internet) are most reliable, organize information, and create a bibliography. Readers will also learn how to access a treasure trove of sources they may never have known existed, such as special collections and private libraries. Fully revised, "The Research Virtuoso" is now divided into three key sections: 1. Getting Organized how to avoid being overwhelmed how to focus on and refine a topic concept-mapping software 2. Locating Information primary and secondary sources (encyclopedias, almanacs) effective searches via many kinds of search engines online tools such as DogPile and metasearches digital collections, library databases, archives, academic journals 3. Evaluating and Processing Information assessing the accuracy, relevance, and authority of sources how to take notes crediting sources and organizing citations cloud computing "The Research Virtuoso" goes on to show how effective research skills will help students succeed not only at school, but also in life: when considering a company to work for or purchasing anything from electronics to a house. Charts, lists, diagrams, and Grab and Go templates clarify and expand the text. An essential tool for every student!

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