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FYS 120E: Identity, Media & American Culture

If You Need Assistance

Welcome to the online research guide for FYS 120E
 

Hello!  My name is Ken Johnson and I am the librarian working with your First Year Seminar this fall.

What is a Research/Instruction Librarian (my job description)?
Research/Instruction Librarians visit your class to teach you about the resources available to you in the St. Olaf Libraries and beyond, and teach you how to go about doing research.  We also assist you once you are working on your projects and can help you find materials, help you brainstorm your topic, and help you with citations.  Our primary goal is to help you succeed!

You can use the "Request research consultation" link in my profile on the left side of this page.  Just pick a date and time you can meet with me and fill out the form.  You will be able to see if it is a day that I will be on campus in which case you can meet with me in person if you wish.  Otherwise, if I am working from home or if you prefer meeting virtually, you will get a calendar invitation with a Google Meet link in it.  The form allows you to upload any work that you would like me to see before our appointment.

ALSO, peer research help is available at the research desk adjacent to the circulation desk.  Hours are M-Th 7-10 pm; Sundays 7-9 pm.

Some research basics

Consulting resources in this order makes sense:

Reference Sources - this is where the most general information is located and is a good place to get background on a particular topic.  Be sure to check the bibliography or suggestions for further reading at the end of the articles you read -- they often lead you to other places where your topic is being discussed.

Books - more specific than reference material and usually focusing on one topic.

Articles - focus on a particular aspect of a topic.  This is also where the newest information on a topic can be found.


Some things to remember about research:

  • Research takes time!
  • Research is reading.
  • Research is not necessarily linear.
  • In the early stages of research, keep an open mind!
  • Research builds on other research.
  • Research looks different in different disciplines.