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Ohio State University logo University Libraries arrow Guide to Information Resources in Education



Guide to Information Resources in Education
Starting your Thesis or Dissertation



Writing your thesis or dissertation will enable you:
  • To participate fully in scholarly conversation on your topic.
  • To lead the way into new territory.
To achieve both of these goals, you'll need to understand how information in the discipline of education is organized, as well as your particular topic’s historical and contemporary context.

Some Reminders

    The format of a source is not as important as the information it contains and how well that information meets your needs for:
  • Coverage--Does the source answer your question with enough breadth and depth?
  • Accuracy--Are you at all unsure of the source's accuracy? If so, verify the information elsewhere.
  • Currency--Does your question require up to date information, or are you looking for historical context?
  • Authority--What are the credentials of the author or sponsoring organization?
  • Objectivity--No source is completely free of bias, but be aware of the spoken or unspoken social, political, or economic agendas of your source.
  • Efficiency of access--Would a 5-minute search of a printed reference book turn up the same information as a 1-hour search of the Web?
Your search vocabulary and syntax are crucial.  Before you begin using a library catalog, a periodical database, a Web search engine, or any other finding tool, divide your topic into its component concepts.  Make a list of synonyms and related terms.  These will form the basis for your search vocabulary and syntax.
    Example: "The Effects of Block Scheduling on Second Language Acquisition in Middle School Boys" could be broken down into the four parts:
  • block scheduling
  • second language acquisition
  • middle school
  • boys
    Synonyms and related terms might include:
  • school schedules
  • flexible scheduling
  • foreign language
  • junior high
  • males
  • and more.
Don't worry if you don't find information on your precise topic.  While you might not find information on "The Effects of Block Scheduling on Second Language Acquisition in Middle School Age Boys", you should be able to find plenty of information on block scheduling, on second language acquisition, and on middle school age boys' cognitive development  that you can synthesize and apply to your topic.

Most important: Ask a librarian for help whenever you need it.

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Some Questions

Here are some questions you should ask yourself. Clicking on the links will take you to specific suggestions and sources. Return to top

How can I be sure I'm Finding Everything

Is the following prospect giving you nightmares?  Your dissertation defense is rolling along smoothly when Professor Pininderar asks, "How would Ignatz' Theory of Unquestionable Stupidity apply in this case?"  All the other members of your committee nod sagely.  You seem to be the only one in the room who has never heard either of Ignatz or his theory.

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Finding out about People

As you begin to read in your topic area, you'll begin to notice certain names reappearing in literature reviews, in bibliographies and in lists of cited references.
Your advisor and other faculty members will be able to suggest authorities, too. Make note of these names. Not only will you want to search the literature for books, articles, and other materials they have written, but you may want to contact them directly.
 
KIND OF INFORMATION
FORMATS & FINDING TOOLS
TIPS

Biographical, including professional credentials/memberships/affiliations
  • Books, subject encyclopedias, directories (find in library catalogs)
  • Web sites (find using Web search engines)
  • In library catalogs, do a SUBJECT search for topic (.e.g., education or schools) or for a particular person's name.  To find subject directories, attach directories to SUBJECT word/phrase.  May also limit SUBJECT search for person's name with biography.

Address, phone, FAX, e-mail, personal URLs
  • Phone books (print and online)
  • Organizational directories
  • Institutional and government Web sites
  • Check online directories at person's college/university/government agency Web site; e.g., http://www.osu.edu or http://nces.ed.gov.`
  • Some databases, e.g., ERIC, PsycINFO, and Sociological Abstracts, often include contact information. Try doing a search by AUTHOR.
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Finding Landmark Studies and other Important Documents

Just as you'll identify experts in the field as you proceed through your reading and conversations with your professors, you'll identify books and articles that reflect landmark research that precedes your own work.
 
KIND OF INFORMATION FORMATS & FINDING TOOLS TIPS

Landmark studies
  • Books (find in library catalogs)
  • Journal articles (find in indexes and abstracting services, particularly ERIC. PsycINFO, and Professional Development Collection.)
  • Also find listed in book-length bibliographies, subject handbooks and guides to subject literature, bibliographies and works cited lists within other works.
  • Attach handbooks, manuals, etc., or bibliography to SUBJECT search in library catalogs to find handbooks, bibliographies, and research guides.
  • Try to obtain the original source in order to check citation accuracy and to evaluate the information using your own judgment.
  • Citation databases (such as Social Sciences Citation Index) can be used--cautiously--to assess influence of a particular study or author on other researchers' work.
  • When using an education database,  try not including the word education in your search.
  • In ERIC, may limit search to "Publication Type" Reports-Research. In PsycINFO may limit to Literature Review/Research Review or Meta-Analysis.

Other documents (for instance, reports,  conference papers, Congressional hearings, dissertations)
  • Reports (find listed at sponsoring public or private agency Web site; in library catalogs with sponsoring agency listed as author)
  • ERIC documents (find in ERIC database)
  • Dissertations (find in Dissertation Abstracts and Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Center)
  • Government documents, including some reports (find in library catalogs; 1994-present in Catalog of U.S. Government Publications)
  • Many recent reports and government documents are available in full text online. 
  • ERIC documents are available in microfiche at SUL Library. Many are available online through http://eric.ed.gov and the ERIC database.
  • Finding Research Reports Online
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Finding Law, Legislation, Regulations, and Court Decisions

Finding and interpreting law, legislation, regulations, and court decisions can be complicated. For help, ask a librarian at the OSU Law Library.
 
KIND OF INFORMATION
FORMATS AND FINDING TOOLS
TIPS

Discussion and analysis of legislation, regulation, and signficant court cases
  • Books (find in library catalogs)
  • Journal articles (find in Index to Legal Periodicals and Books, PAIS)
  • Do SUBJECT search in catalog forEducational Law and Legislation.  See also "Related Subjects" at top of resulting list.
  • Laws and legislation
  • Regulations
  • Court decisions
  • Other legislative information, e.g., hearings and reports
  • Find federal laws, legislation, and regulations in LEXIS-NEXIS Congressional.
  • Find state laws, legislation, and regulations in Ohio Capitol Connection.
  • Find court decisions at the OSU Law Library.  Many are available on the Web through LEXIS-NEXIS Academic or other Web sites.
  • Other useful legislative information (Congressional hearings, reports, etc.) may be found through OSU Libraries' Government Documents U.S. Federal Documents page.
  • Find many full-text documents in ERIC.
  • For older laws and other information not available online consult the OSU Law Library or the OSU Libraries Government Documents Department.
  • In ERIC, may limit search to "Publication Type"  Legal/Legislative/Regulatory Materials.
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FINDING OUT ABOUT HISTORICAL AND OTHER CONTEXTS

You need to understand the historical background of your topic in order to understand the context for your research.  For example:  When did research in this sub-discipline begin?  Who were the founding mothers and fathers?  What controversies have developed over the years, and have they been resolved?  What trends have come and gone?  This area of your research also may yield references to landmark studies and other events that you may want to research in greater depth.

Identifying additional relevant contexts or disciplines--social, psychological, economic, political, etc.--will help you identify appropriate databases to supplement ERIC, and Professional Development Collection.  For example, if your topic is one with economic aspects, such as "Funding Charter Schools in an Environment of Declining State Revenues," you will probably want to check such databases as EconLit and PAIS (Public Affairs Information Service) to locate journal articles, government publications, and books you might miss in library catalog searches.  If you're researching the socio-cultural aspects of language, you'll want to consult Linguistics and Language Behavior Abstracts.

KIND OF INFORMATION FORMATS AND FINDING TOOLS TIPS
Historical information
  • Subject dictionaries and encyclopedias (find in library catalogs)
  • Books (find in library catalogs)
  • Journal articles (find in ERIC and other related databases.
  • To find dictionaries or encyclopedias in library catalogs, do SUBJECT search for Education--Dictionaries or Education--Encyclopedias.
  • To find other books in library catalogs, attach history to SUBJECT or KEYWORD search.
  • For journal articles, incorporate phrases such as educational history or foundations of education, into your search, or attach history to your SUBJECT or KEYWORD search.
  • In ERIC, may limit search results to Historical Materials.

Other contexts

Same as above, except try appropriate SUBJECTS and KEYWORDS in related databases, such as PsycINFO and Sociological Abstracts.

Literature review (overview of previous research)
  • Books (often found in early chapter or early sections of each chapter)
  • Journal articles (find in ERIC and related databases.)
  • Dissertations (find in Dissertation Abstracts and the Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Center)
  • Check references, bibliographies, and works cited lists at end of books, chapters, and journal articles.
  • In ERIC, may combine Literature Reviews with other thesaurus terms.
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Finding Current Research

Finding the most current research may involve finding research that hasn't officially been published anywhere or even listed in a database.  You may need to be creative and persistent to find what you're looking for, so don't hesitate to ask a librarian for help, or to contact the people who are directly involved in the research.  (You may find their institution and e-mail address listed in references to their work in databases such as ERIC, PsycINFO, and Sociological Abstracts, or on the Web.)
 
 
KIND OF INFORMATION
FORMATS AND FINDING TOOLS
TIPS

Papers and conference proceedings
  • Papers (find many 1996- listed in PapersFirst; find many full text in ERIC)
  • Conference proceedings (find many 1996- listed in ProceedingsFirst)
  • Library catalogs, e.g., OSCAR, OhioLINK, CIC, and WorldCat.
  • Google Scholar
  • In ERIC, may limit search to "Publication Type" Speeches/Meeting Papers or Collected Works- Proceedings.
  • Try the sponsoring organization's Web site.
  • In library catalogs, search by report TITLE or KEYWORD, or use sponsoring organization as AUTHOR.

Reports
  • Library catalogs, e.g., OSCAR, OhioLINK, CIC, and WorldCat.
  • Find some full text at sponsoring organization's Web site, for instance, http://www.rand.org
  • Find many full text documents in ERIC
  • Many full text reports also available through U.S. Dept. of Education (http://www.ed.gov/about/pubs.jsp) and Google.
  • In library catalogs, search by report TITLE or KEYWORD, or use sponsoring organization as AUTHOR.
  • ERIC search may be limited to "Publication Type" Reports (several types.)
  • Finding Research Reports Online

Government-sponsored research
  • Try the FirstGov search engine to identify documents and the agencies that are sponsoring research relevant to your topic. Hint: Use "Advanced Search."

Current awareness reporting and discussion
  • Newspapers and popular magazines, e.g. Time, Newsweek (find in LEXIS-NEXIS Academic, Academic Search Premier, Newspaper Source)
  • Newsletters (many available at association Web sites; sometimes subscription only)
  • Web sites (check dates carefully)
  • Online newsgroups and listservs 
  • Try online education-related news services, too.
  • Google's advanced search allows you to limit your search to sites updated within the last three months.
  • Check Tile.Net for specific newsgroup and listserv subscription information.
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Finding Tests and Measurement Instruments

If your research will involve administering a test or other measurement instrument, you'll want to become familiar with the test table in Rm. 205 of the Sullivant (SUL) Library.  Here you'll find many specialized printed indexes that describe, evaluate, and sometimes provide the full text of tests and measurement instruments relating to education and other social sciences.  Remember that the full text of many tests will not be freely available, but must be purchased from the publisher.  Consult a librarian if you need assistance.
 
 
KIND OF INFORMATION
FORMATS AND FINDING TOOLS
TIPS
Educational tests and measures: descriptions, evaluations, and full text
  • In library catalogs, do a SUBJECT search for: educational tests and measurements, psychological tests, psychometrics, scaling (social sciences), specific types of tests (e.g., intelligence tests), specific test names (e.g., Gong's Nonverbal Intelligence Test).  May also attach the word testing to specific subjects, e.g. child development-testing. 
  • In PsycINFO, may limit to the "Special Feature" Assessment Instruments and various subheadings under "Classification Codes" Tests and Testing.
  • In ERIC, may limit to the "Publication Type" Tests/Questionnaires and the "Clearinghouse" Assessment and Evaluation.
  • In general, the "free" Web is not a reliable source of tests and measurement instruments.
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Finding Statistics

KIND OF INFORMATION
FORMATS AND FINDING TOOLS
TIPS
State, federal, or international statistics
  • In library catalogs, combine education, [name of country or state], and statistics in a KEYWORD search.
  • In ERIC, do a thesaurus search for school statistics, and consult resulting list of broader and related terms for additional terms to include in your search.  Combine these terms with your topic.  Example: school statistics and charter schools.
  • Consult Finding Statistics for more suggestions.
  • In ERIC, may limit "Publication Type" to numerical/quantitative data or reports-descriptive.
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HELPFUL WEB SITES

    Phinished ("a discussion and support group for people who cannot seem to finish their dissertations or theses")
  • http://www.phinished.org/
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HELPFUL BOOKS AND OTHER TOOLS

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