| Ask A Librarian |
FE 341 - MICROECONOMICSIntroductionThis assignment requires you to complete a series of steps that are necessary to conduct library research and develop an empirical research design or plan for researching an economics topic. To properly complete the assignment, you will need to keep a journal indicating that you have completed each step. In addition, you will be asked to evaluate the information produced in each step and to develop a working bibliography.Access the following sources and summarize the type of information the source contains. Explain whether or not the source provides relevant information, why would it be useful for your topic, why not? Include a bibliographical citation for each type of source you find in each of the following categories. The format for a bibliography can be found using the Holt Handbook (e.g. Chicago or MLA style). You might also consult "Citing Your Sources" on the Nimitz Library web site under "More Research Tools" on the "For Midshipmen" gateway page. Starting Your ResearchGo to the Nimitz Home Page and click on Research Guides by Subject", then select "Economics." You will use this page (and the main page) to locate resources and databases to complete your project. From "Library Basics" select "Starting Your Research". Listed below are the seven steps for researching a topic.1. Identify and develop your topic 2. Find background information 3. Use catalogs to find books 4. Use indexes to find periodical articles 5. Find Internet resources 6. Evaluate what you find 7. Cite what you find using a standard format
1. Identify and Develop a Topic A. Your research topic should clearly indicate the phenomenon you wish to explain or analyze. Your topic should not be too broad (the restaurant industry) or too narrow (door knob sales). An example of a good microeconomic topic would be "The Commuter Airline Industry" and a good macroeconomic topic would be "Trade between Japan and the United States." It is imperative to talk to one's professor about the feasibility and relevance of a topic. As this project is intended to introduce you to the library resources, you can choose any generic micro topic. B. To find a topic that will yield an adequate number of quality sources,
background research should be done to identify the topic. Your topic
should include a dependent variable as well as any explanatory variables
that could be useful in your project. Identify your topic below.
2. Finding Background Information A. From the Nimitz Library Home Page select "Databases" and then choose "Britannica Online": Begin your research by looking up at least two keywords or relevant subject terms in the online version of the encyclopedia. Write a paragraph summarizing the kind of information you find. B. New Palgrave: A Dictionary of Economics: Look up keywords or
concepts relevant to your research. This set can be found in the
Reference Collection under the call number REF HB 61 .N49. If your
subject does not seem to be covered in this source, then choose another
dictionary or reference source from the shelves to complete this section.
Suggestions include Routledge Dictionary of Economics (REF HB61 .R924 1995)
or McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Economics (REF HB61 .E65 1994). You can
also find reference works listed on the "Economics" page under "Background
Resources" and then "Economics Sources". For your information only,
you do not need to summarize anything here.
3. Finding Books, Government Documents, or Videos A. Library Catalog: Search the Nimitz online catalog from the Home Page. For your information only, you do not need to summarize anything here. B. Sources of Data: Consult a reference work in the library for
data potentially relevant to your topic. You may browse the shelves in
the H section or consult the list of "Statistics Sources" from the "BackgroundResources"
of the "Economics" page used above. Describe and cite what you find.
4. Using Indexes to Find Periodicals and Scholarly Journal A. Business Source Premier: Available under "Databases and Indexes" on the "Economics" page, this database also provides indexing and abstracting to many periodicals as well as full text or page image of others. Cite one article that appears relevant. Indicate whether you could find the full text or page image as well. Note: "Choose Databases" option allows you to also search the following helpful databases: Academic Search Premier, Regional Business news, and Military and Government Collection. B. Social Sciences Fulltext: Select from "Databases and Indexes" on the "Economics" page. Properly cite an article and explain why it would be useful. Indicate whether it was available full text online. C. EconLit: Located also on the "Databases and Indexes"list, this is a major index in the field and you should become very familiar with searching it. Spend some time becoming acquainted with its contents. List the types of materials you will find indexed. Find two articles relevant to your research and print the citations with abstracts. Use the "Check Your Library" feature to see if they are in the Nimitz Library catalog. Indicate whether you would be able to find them here or full text online. D. LexisNexis: Again choose this from "Databases and Indexes". Complete a search on your topic in the "Business" section (try "Business News" or "Industry/Marketing News") using "Quick News" or "Guided News Search". Most of the articles are available fulltext (although there are no images) but the Wall Street Journal only provides abstracts. Indicate the category you selected and cite an article that seems useful. E. JSTOR: Available under "Databases and Indexes", this is an archive of fulltext scholarly journals dating back to the very first issue although the articles from the most recent 3-5 years are not available. Conduct a search on your topic, limiting it to the "Economics" journal category. You might also want to include the "Finance" category. Cite an article that appears to be relevant. F. Electronic Journals: Consult this growing list of journals available electronically from the "Economics" page. Choose "Please select a subject category" and then from the drop-down menu choose "Business and Economics" to find specific sub-category for your topic. Select one title to explore. Indicate which one you chose, what kind of coverage it provides in terms of years, and the ease of searching for articles. G. Standard and Poor's Net Advantage: This database
(again on the "Databases and Indexes" list) provides the full text of many
different publications from Standard and Poors. Choose the category
of Industry Surveys and search for an industry that interests you
(not necessarily related to the topic of this paper). Explore the material
available. Indicate the industry you selected and describe what
is provided. Provide your opinion of the database.
5. Internet Sources A. Data Online From the "Economics" page under "Internet Resources", select "Statistics" and choose one site to explore. Indicate what information you found. B. Internet Search Engines Use a search engine (such as Google, Yahoo or Excite) to find sources
of data or articles on your topic. What did you find? Is the
data useful and credible? Why or why not? Who is the sponsor or author
of the home page?
6. Evaluate What You Find Reflect upon your research experience? What publications were most useful?
Which were not? Why?
7. Citing Information/ Bibliography Using a proper format, cite all the references found on your topic from each of the categories. Refer to the "Citing Your Sources" pages indicated in the introduction of this document. Attach the bibliography. Note: Associate Professor Pamela Schmitt adapted this from www.usna.edu/Library/Economics/Fe341.html which was created by Barbara Breeden |
The links on this page may be to sites that are not located at the United States Naval Academy. The USNA is not responsible for the content found on these sites. In addition, the content of these sites does not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards, policy or endorsement of the Naval Academy or the United States Government.
Comments and suggestions: Web
Systems Management Librarian