CRJU 602: Research Techniques in Criminal Justice

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CRJU 602 Research Techniques in Criminal Justice

• Jeffrey Hutson, Librarian
• Langsdale Library - Reference
• 410-837-4274
• 888-526-4733
• langref_at_ubalt.edu
• AIM UBLangsdale

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• The Barcode
• GET IT. USE IT.
• Apply online http//langsdale.ubalt.edu/info_serv
  ices/lib_reg_form.cfm
• Apply in person
• Circulation desk, Langsdale Library

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Research Tips

• Find the right vocabulary (create a list of
  keywords for your topic)
• Consult reference sources (encyclopedia,
  dictionary, etc.)
• Use library resources (databases, catalogs, etc.)
• Search the Web (choose websites carefully)
• Consult a librarian

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Course Website (1)
1. http//langsdale.ubalt.edu/
2. Click on Research Help by Course
3. Select your course
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Course Website (2)

• http//langsdale.ubalt.edu/howto/course_websites/f
  a08/crju602_stanley.htm

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Sample Topic

• Does television violence cause children to behave
  more aggressively or become violent?

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Find Keywords

• Does television violence cause children to behave
  more aggressively or become violent?

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Synonyms
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Synonyms
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Boolean Operators

• Named for George Boole, a 19th century English
  mathematician
• AND joins concepts together (both/all)
• OR combines synonyms or related terms
  (either/any)
• NOT excludes terms or concepts (leave out)

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Combining Keywords
television AND violence
television AND violence AND child
television AND violence AND child AND impact
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Combining Keywords
(television OR media) AND (violence OR
aggression) AND (child OR juvenil)
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Find Books or Media

• Use the Langsdale Library Catalog
• Use the USMAI Catalog

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Catalog USMAI
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Find Journal Articles

• Use Journal Finder (if you know the name of a
  specific journal to search)
• Use Subject Databases

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Off-Campus Access

• Use to log in from off-campus before
  trying to open a database

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Off-Campus Access (1)
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Off-Campus Access (2)
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Evaluate

• Authorship
• Accuracy/Documentation
• Currency
• Purpose/Content
• http//langsdale.ubalt.edu/howto/EvaluatingWebRes
  ources_guide.html

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Wrap-Up

• Make sure you have an active barcode
  (Circulation)
• Use that barcode to access databases off-campus
  through Research Port
• You may find information on your topic in other
  databases outside criminal justice related ones
• Dont forget print (books, documents, etc)!
• Use ILL to get books and articles USM doesnt
  have
• When in doubt, ask a librarian!

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Questions?

• For more information
• Jeffrey Hutson jhutson_at_ubalt.edu
• Langsdale langref_at_ubalt.edu
• Reference Desk 410-837-4274
• 888-526-4733
• AIM UBLangsdale