Finding online sources for your research paper

Summary

This video guides viewers on how to effectively find background information for a research paper. It emphasizes the importance of using Google Scholar to access primary research papers and avoid relying on secondary sources like Wikipedia. The video covers essential tips, including refining search queries with specific keywords and using operators like plus and minus to narrow results. Additionally, it highlights strategies such as reading abstracts, checking references, and exploring the 'cited by' feature to discover more relevant papers. The video provides a comprehensive approach to gathering reliable academic resources for research.

Takeaways

• 😀 Use textbooks for general background information, but remember they are not primary research sources.
• 😀 Google Scholar is the best tool for finding academic research papers, not general websites or news articles.
• 😀 Always avoid citing Wikipedia directly; instead, use its references to find primary research papers.
• 😀 Start your search on Google Scholar by searching for the main topic or specific terms related to your research.
• 😀 To access the full-text PDF of a paper, always try to download it from a campus network for free access.
• 😀 Read the abstract of a paper first to determine if it's relevant to your research before downloading the full paper.
• 😀 Use the reference list at the end of a research paper to find additional studies that support or relate to your topic.
• 😀 Utilize the 'Cited by' link in Google Scholar to discover more research papers that reference the one you're reading.
• 😀 Refine your search in Google Scholar by adding specific keywords, using quotation marks for exact phrases, and utilizing operators like + and - to include or exclude terms.
• 😀 If a paper has a high citation count, explore the studies that cited it for additional perspectives on the topic.
• 😀 Websites like Science Daily can provide general summaries of research, but always go to the original research paper for in-depth information.

Q & A

What is the primary difference between Google Scholar and regular Google?

Google Scholar is a specialized search engine that focuses on academic research papers, while regular Google provides results from all types of sources, including news articles, websites, and blogs. Google Scholar only shows scholarly sources such as research papers and patents.

Why is it important to read previous research before conducting your own experiment?

Reading previous research is essential to ensure your idea is new and to connect your research to existing studies in the field. It also helps you understand the vocabulary and writing style used in scientific papers.

Can you use general sources like Wikipedia for citing in academic research papers?

No, Wikipedia is not considered a reliable source for academic papers. While it provides useful background information, it should not be cited directly. However, Wikipedia includes citations that can lead you to original research sources.

What role do the reference lists at the end of research papers play in your research?

The reference list at the end of a paper provides a list of studies and sources that the authors have used. You can use these references to find earlier studies that are relevant to your research topic.

What is 'contagious yawning,' and why is it important to search for this term when researching yawning?

'Contagious yawning' refers to the phenomenon where one person yawns, and others around them feel the urge to yawn as well. It is important to search for this specific term when researching yawning to find studies directly related to this behavior, which is a key aspect of the research topic.

How can you refine your search in Google Scholar to find more relevant research papers?

You can refine your search by using specific keywords, placing exact phrases in quotation marks, and adding relevant terms such as the author's name. Additionally, using the '+' and '-' operators helps you narrow down results by including or excluding certain terms.

Why should you avoid paying for research papers when using Google Scholar?

Most research papers available through Google Scholar can be accessed for free through your institution’s network. Paying for access is unnecessary, as many papers offer free versions, and institutions often provide access through their libraries.

What is the purpose of the 'Cited by' link on Google Scholar, and how can it help with your research?

The 'Cited by' link shows how many papers have referenced the research paper you are viewing. This can help you discover newer studies that have built upon the original paper, providing a broader context and more relevant research for your topic.

How does using operators like '+' and '-' in Google Scholar searches affect the results?

Using the '+' operator ensures that a specific term is included in the search results, while the '-' operator excludes unwanted terms. This helps narrow or broaden the scope of your search depending on your research needs.

What are the advantages of using Science Daily as a resource for background research?

Science Daily provides summaries of scientific research in an easily understandable format. Although it doesn't offer full research papers, it links to the original papers, making it a good starting point to identify relevant studies without getting bogged down in technical details.