Week 2 Primary and Secondary Sources

Matching Resources to an Information Need

1. I have to do a paper on biogeography but I don’t really know what that is. Where should I look for information and why?

Encyclopedia, Secondary Source - Used to get background information and the scope of a topic

2. I have heard that the climate is changing and some people say it is getting warmer. Where can I find information on the change in temperature?

Original Research of changing temperature, Primary Source - First hand account of documented temperatures.

3. I am a psychology major and I am going to be doing an internship at a group home. I hear that the young people who live there have problems with anger. Where can I find practical information from experts on how to intervene if someone gets mad and wants to fight?

Magazine articles, Secondary Source - Studies and research that have been done that confirm ways to intervene that actually work.

4. A professor is writing a grant to the National Science Foundation to get funding for a research project to study the effect of DDT on ground water. The NSF needs to know that there is a foundation of research on which to build this study. Where will the professor get the kind of information that will convince the NSF to fund the project?

Journal articles, Secondary Source - Other studies that have been done that report findings are not complete enough and more research needs to be done.

5. I heard on the radio that there are killer bees coming north from Central America. How do I find out if they are in Washington State, yet?

Newspaper articles, can be primary or secondary sources - Back up claims of events if there is an interview or story that is first hand account it would be primary, if it a story that is from many sources it would be secondary.

6. I have heard that there was a man who was president of the United States for one day. Where would I find out who that was?

Encyclopedia, Secondary source - Would be written by someone that was not present at the the time.

7. My instructor wants peer reviewed articles for my research paper. Where are those?

Peer reviewed journal articles, Primary source - As long as they are written by the person doing the research they are primary.

8. Where can I find some primary sources about the pioneers who came west?

Diaries, Primary sources - Shows actual accounts, written by people who participated in the event.

9. I need to know everything I can about honey bees. Where should I look?

Science magazines, Secondary source - They are written with information gathered from other sources.

10. What kind of costuming does Lady Gaga wear?

Internet, Secondary source - Information that was gathered from many sources and not from Lady Gaga herself.

Research Journal

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Information Search Process

Initiation is generally the hardest phase for me when it comes to research, I would almost rather be given a topic than have to choose one. I find it frustrating and get anxious that I am going to choose a topic that there will not be enough information or that there will be too much information to narrow down. I normally start searching the Internet to get an idea of what information is available on the topic. Many times I have found myself not searching in depth enough to determine rather it is usable information or not and regret it later. I agree with Kuhlthau that much uncertainty comes from this process.

Once the selection has been made I generally feel a little relief, but am still anxious and question myself rather I have chosen a “good” topic.

During the exploration of the topic I have chosen I generally feel overwhelmed with the amount of information and in what direction the research takes me. I usually feel unorganized at this point and have a hard time keeping track of the useful and not so useful information. I have found myself “in the dip” many times during this phase, where I don’t have much confidence in what I am doing. I think this is when I might benefit from intervention and guidance.

The formulation stage is usually where I am gaining confidence that I have chosen a good topic and the research starts to come together. The anxious feeling seems to be gone at this point and my efforts seem to be rewarding. I usually have narrowed my sources down to the most informative ones that can guide me through the rest of the project I am working on.

In the collection process I usually feel the pressure that my deadline is approaching and I start questioning my focus. I’m not sure that I agree with Kuhlthau that this is a feeling of confidence. I find it difficult and time consuming to put the information in a format that is useful for the project I am working on.

When I finally reach the presentation I normally have a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment.

After reading this article I have an understanding that my feelings, rather they be anxiety, frustration, or sense of accomplishment and satisfaction are completely normal during the research process. I think I need to take advantage of resources as far as help during the “zone of intervention”, this might help reduce my frustration