Feb. 1 Blog Post

Where do you turn to to find pertinent research?

I have searched in SFU library, and the article and book links from there.   I've also gone to articles that are quoted in the ones that I am reading.    In addition, I've looked at resources that have been discussed or referred to in Pro-D sessions I've attended, or that others have referred to on Classroom 2.0 and Twitter.

What is the value of peer-review?

Shows if the article can be replicated, if the findings are legitimate and responsible.  I know they're not just unknown ramblings that are randomly posted on the internet.

What are some sources of research? Where do you turn to for research? Sources?

- Google Scholar - more friendly interface
- TeacherTube--used it
- TED Talks-looked here
- Wikipedia to get a quick link
- Eric Ebsco--used often
- Journal references - look at the bibliography--do this
- Ask your network / ask an expert

What are the barriers to academic research?

- information literacy: knowing how to navigate the library databases, perform effective searches (boolean, etc.)

 

This can be frustrating at times, but at this point I can search in another way or another place if the format isn't working for me.  

- Jargon / vocabulary: academic articles are often written to impress, for status or for an audience of academics

If I can't understand the abstract, or first couple of pages, I skip the article as I am not likely to refer back to it if I didn't get it and the article was related to material I'm learning about or interested in.

What are some strategies to overcome these barriers?

- Read with a group (a learning community that reads the same text and shares their understanding)

Done a bit in class, but not as much with self directed--if all else fails, I've done it.
- Read with an expert (read a text that is recommended by an expert in the field and discuss)

Haven't tried this one.   No time, mostly, to try to do this.