OCT 10TH

Overview of Literary Types

  • Primary Literature: Original works such as novels, plays, films, and poetry.

  • Secondary Literature: Analyzes or reviews primary literature; includes scholarly and nonscholarly literature.

Definitions of Key Terms

  • Monograph: A single-author book focusing on a specific topic.

    • Etymology:

    • Mono: One or single focus.

    • Graph: Study of.

    • Example: A monograph on English literature may discuss a specific author, text, or historical event.

Understanding Scholarly vs. Nonscholarly Work

  • Importance of distinguishing between scholarly and nonscholarly sources in research.

  • Tools for finding quality literature, emphasizing library resources:

    • Library Databases:

    • Often expensive and comprehensive resources that students pay for through tuition.

    • Example costs: Some databases can be $50,000/year.

    • Recommendation:

    • Utilize library databases for reliable information in your field of study.

    • Importance of not solely relying on general web searches (like Google).

Navigating Library Resources

  • Using Library Online:

    • Start at the library's main home page.

    • Advanced Search Function: Recommended for better results; avoids over-filtering which can omit valuable sources.

    • Tips for Searching:

    • For authors or texts, use quotes around titles to improve search specificity.

    • Start broad before applying filters.

Research Criteria for Sources

  1. Bibliographical Reference:

    • Must include a reference list (footnotes, endnotes, works cited).

    • If no references are provided, do not consider the source.

  2. Author’s Academic Affiliation:

    • Check if the author is connected to a university or academic institution.

    • If not visible, Google the author's name to check their affiliation.

    • Importance of institutional validation for the author's expertise in the subject matter.

  3. Publisher’s Academic Affiliation:

    • The work should be published by a university, college, or reputable academic publisher.

    • Verify by checking the journal or publisher's academic credentials.

  4. Peer Review Status:

    • Peer-reviewed work ensures accountability and thorough scrutiny by experts in the field before publication.

    • Understanding of peer review: Manuscripts are examined blindly to ensure integrity in citation and argumentation.

    • The importance of the referee icon indicating the work's peer-reviewed status.

Additional Suggestions for Search Strategies

  • If shifting focus to primary texts, consider researching the topic to explore connections to relevant secondary resources.

  • Broaden searches to include related themes, allowing exploration of various authors and interpretations.

Conclusion

  • Checklist for Scholarly Sources:

    • Must meet all four criteria for reliability:

    1. Bibliographical references present

    2. Publisher affiliated with academic institution

    3. Author has a recognized academic affiliation

    4. Article must be peer-reviewed

  • Caution against relying on single criteria; all must be validated within each work.

  • Consideration of personal interest in the topic and taking time to investigate several sources before making selections.