Library Research Skills Pre-test

1. Popular vs Scholarly sources: Which of the following is a characteristic of a scholarly source?

Source contains a lot of colour pictures and advertisements

Articles are relatively short and address a general audience

Articles are written by researchers and professionals for an audience in a specific field of study

Articles do not provide a list of sources or references

A, B, and D all describe popular sources. Popular sources are written on a more basic level for a general audience to understand. If you would like to learn more about the differences between popular and scholarly sources, review the table on this page.

Explanation

A, B, and D all describe popular sources. Popular sources are written on a more basic level for a general audience to understand. If you would like to learn more about the differences between popular and scholarly sources, review the table on this page.

2. True/False: All of the content in the Library's databases is also freely available on the Internet.

True

False

While you might find this content using an Internet search engine, not all of it will be freely available. The Library's collection can provide you with access to most content typically hidden behind "paywalls".

Explanation

While you might find this content using an Internet search engine, not all of it will be freely available. The Library's collection can provide you with access to most content typically hidden behind "paywalls".

3. How much research you will need to do depends on:

Your existing knowledge (how much you already know about the topic)

Your information gaps (areas you need to find out more about)

The assignment's requirement

All of the above

Before embarking on the research process for any assignment, it is best to ensure you fully understand it. Think about what you already know and don't know, and use this as a map to identify areas you need to do further research on.

Explanation

Before embarking on the research process for any assignment, it is best to ensure you fully understand it. Think about what you already know and don't know, and use this as a map to identify areas you need to do further research on.

4. What is the difference between the Library's Summon search tool and Google Scholar?

Summon searches only the Library's collection

Google Scholar searches the open Web

Both A and B

There is no difference

Summon searches only the Library's collection and Google Scholar searches what it has indexed as scholarly on the Web. If you access the proxied version of Google Scholar via the link on the Library's website, you can instantly see which items are available to you through RRU Library.

Explanation

Summon searches only the Library's collection and Google Scholar searches what it has indexed as scholarly on the Web. If you access the proxied version of Google Scholar via the link on the Library's website, you can instantly see which items are available to you through RRU Library.

5. What is the BEST reason to use a brainstorming strategy to develop search terms?

Articles about the same topic always use the same terms

You can't use the same terms to search library databases that you use to search the Internet

Authors, with different viewpoints, often use different terms to describe the same topic

Brainstorming search terms is a waste of time

Thinking of the different words and phrases each author might use will help you develop a comprehensive approach to searching.

Explanation

Thinking of the different words and phrases each author might use will help you develop a comprehensive approach to searching.

6. What is the difference between Google and Google Scholar?

Google Scholar focuses on indexing books, articles, and other scholarly looking items on the Web

Google indexes pretty much everything it can find

There is no difference

Both A and B

Google Scholar's main focus is on indexing scholarly items to assist with research. You will not find any advertising, commercial or personal websites here. For more on this, see Google vs Google Scholar.

Explanation

Google Scholar's main focus is on indexing scholarly items to assist with research. You will not find any advertising, commercial or personal websites here. For more on this, see Google vs Google Scholar.

7. True/False: You should type your full topic sentence or question into the search box to find the most relevant results

True

False

Searching by keywords and using search filters is the best method for retrieving the most relevant material.

Explanation

Searching by keywords and using search filters is the best method for retrieving the most relevant material.

8. In order to know which search operator or advanced search techniques a database uses, it is best to:

Read the help pages provided within the database

Ask a librarian

Ask your instructor

While you can certainly ask a librarian, why not check the database help page first to see if you can find the answer?

Explanation

While you can certainly ask a librarian, why not check the database help page first to see if you can find the answer?

9. Identify criteria that are important to consider when evaluating the information you are finding. Check all options that apply.

Currency (When was it written?)

Relevancy (Does it relate to my topic?)

Authority (Is it clear who wrote the material? Are they qualified?)

Accuracy (Can the sources of the information be verified?)

Purpose (Is the material meant to inform or entertain?)

Bias (Are the author's biases, if any, clearly stated?)

Regardless of whether the item is in print or online, and regardless of whether or not it is an article, book, website, video or other; you should always be critical of the sources you are planning to use for your assignment. The quality of the resources you choose is a reflection of your work. For more on evaluating resources, see the following page.

Explanation

Regardless of whether the item is in print or online, and regardless of whether or not it is an article, book, website, video or other; you should always be critical of the sources you are planning to use for your assignment. The quality of the resources you choose is a reflection of your work. For more on evaluating resources, see the following page.

Submit

10. Primary vs Secondary sources: Which of the following is NOT an example of a primary resource?

Raw data

Legal documents

Interviews

Correspondence (letters, email)

Textbook

Government documents

Photographs

A textbook is a compilation of information on an area of study. While it may refer to primary resources like the ones mentioned in this question, it is not a primary resource. For more on primary vs secondary sources, review the following guide:

Primary and Secondary sources

Explanation

A textbook is a compilation of information on an area of study. While it may refer to primary resources like the ones mentioned in this question, it is not a primary resource. For more on primary vs secondary sources, review the following guide:

Primary and Secondary sources

11. I'm looking for information on diseases found in mice, rats, and rodents, therefore my search should be:

(mice OR rats OR rodents) AND diseases

(mice AND rats AND rodents) AND diseases

Mice AND rats AND rodents AND diseases

Mice OR rats OR rodents OR diseases

The correct search is: (mice OR rats OR rodents) AND diseases. The search operator, OR, tells the database to look for all three terms, but not all three of them have to be present in each result (any one of these will do for the purposes of the search). Brackets are used to maintain the search logic; informing the database to solve what is within the brackets first, before proceeding with the rest of the search. The search operator, AND, is used to combine the two concepts being searched.

If you would like to learn more about how to correctly use search operators, refer to the following guides:

Explanation

The correct search is: (mice OR rats OR rodents) AND diseases. The search operator, OR, tells the database to look for all three terms, but not all three of them have to be present in each result (any one of these will do for the purposes of the search). Brackets are used to maintain the search logic; informing the database to solve what is within the brackets first, before proceeding with the rest of the search. The search operator, AND, is used to combine the two concepts being searched.

If you would like to learn more about how to correctly use search operators, refer to the following guides:

12. In what ways can a citation manager help with your research? Check all options that apply.

It allows you to create and organize a personal research database of references and related files

It can gather references automatically from article databases

It can write your paper for you

It can generate a draft bibliography

It can integrate with Microsoft Word to format papers and in-text citations instantly in a variety of styles (e.g. APA)

It allows you to share citations with colleagues

It allows you to transfer references among various applications (e.g. Excel, other citation managers)

Citation managers can help with many aspects of the research process but sadly they will not write your paper for you! Also be aware that these tools are not perfect and you still need to know enough about APA Style to know whether or not the citations they generate are formatted correctly. RRU Library provides support for two citation managers: Mendeley and Zotero.

Explanation

Citation managers can help with many aspects of the research process but sadly they will not write your paper for you! Also be aware that these tools are not perfect and you still need to know enough about APA Style to know whether or not the citations they generate are formatted correctly. RRU Library provides support for two citation managers: Mendeley and Zotero.

Submit