Economics

Getting started with ECON Research

Below are a series of short videos to support you in this class and help you with your Economics research. They do not need to be watched in order, but are designed to walk you through a traditional library instruction class session.

Class Introduction, Agenda & Information Literacy
Duration: 2 min 6 sec
This video introduces the concept of information literacy. The video from ATU Library can be accessed at: 
Information Literacy Video from ATU Library

Peer-Reviewed Articles
Duration: 2 min 13 sec

This video introduces us to the peer review process. The video from NCSU Library can be accessed at: 
Peer Review in 3 Minutes

Research -- Library Databases
Duration: 2 min 9 sec

In this short video, we introduce two target databases for Economics research.

Research in practice
Duration: 6 min 59 sec

In the video above, I am using this sample research question:
What is the effect of minimum wage increases on unemployment rates for low-skilled workers?

Database Search Tips:

• Break down your research question into key concepts
• In the example above, try using 'minimum wage' and 'employment' and 'low-skilled workers'
• When you begin searching in the database for your topic, you will discover the keywords or terms that the database prefers for your topic
  • For example, Academic Search Complete uses the term 'unskilled labor' instead of 'low-skilled workers'
• Remember that when you first start searching, it is very much a trial-and-error process

Research is a strategic process:
1. Select a topic
What research question do you want to answer?

2. Identify resources to search
Do you want to use Google? Google Scholar? Library Database?

3. Narrow you search
Use your search results to find other relevant sources.
Can the search results help you develop a list of synonyms or other potential search keywords?

4. Evaluate your sources
Are these sources appropriate?
Are they helping me clarify my topic?
Do they meet my assignment requirements?

5. Organize your sources
Development your own strategy to keep track of your sources.
Are you downloading the results to your personal device? Using a citation manager to manage all of your results?
 

Research -- Scholarship as Conversation
Duration: 1 min 3 sec

A brief discussion of how students contribute to the scholarly conversation.

AI Research Tips
Duration: 2 min 36 sec

A brief discussion of general AI research tips and some suggestions for specific AI tools.

Accessing Library Resources & Getting Help
Duration: 6 min 45 sec

While some of this may seem redundant, for example, you have already found the research guide for Economics! This video discusses how to find the guide from the library homepage and how to schedule one-on-one research consultations with me.