UWP104D (Sperber): Writing in Elementary and Secondary Education

Consider these questions as you begin your information research:

1. Topic/Research Question: What do you already know? What do you want to investigate?

2. Sources: What types of information would inform your thinking?

3. Search: What has been published in credible sources?

4. Analyze/Refine: Revision is part of the research (and writing) process!

Narrow the G_A_P to move from Topic to Research Question:

• Geography, i.e. location or setting
• Aspect/Angle
• Population

1. Books & Book Chapters: UC Davis Library Catalog

Search the Library Catalog to find books and other materials available through the UC Davis Library.

KEYWORDS (Any Field)

Examples: “high stakes testing” |  “gifted education” |  “institutional racism” AND (school* OR education) | LGBT* AND (school* or education)

SUBJECT

Examples: Arts – Study and teaching | Bullying in schools | Education bilingual – United States | Computer-assisted instruction | English language – Study and teaching – Foreign speakers [use for English Language Learners] | Multicultural education – United States | School attendance or High school dropouts | School gardens [use for gardening programs] | Autistic children – Education | Social justice – Study and teaching

TIPS

• • Watch Finding Ebooks (2:42) to learn how to limit your searches to ebooks.
  • If a book is not available online, note the call number, e.g. LC212.52 .H45 2016 and consult a Library Map to determine its location. To check out a book, go to Circulation (Shields Library 1st floor).

2. Oxford Bibliographies Online: Education

This annotated bibliography includes topic overviews and citations for recommended books, articles and other scholarly sources.

TOPICS: Bilingual Education, Special Education/Inclusive Education, Digital Age Teacher/Educational Technology, Bullying/School Bullying, Linguistically Inclusive Pedagogy (English learners), Gifted Education, Homeschooling, Teacher Training/Professional Development, School Choice (Charter schools), Science Education, Differentiated Instruction (Culturally Responsive Teacher Education)

3. CQ Researcher

This tool includes journalistic reports on a range of political and social-policy issues. Each report is footnoted and includes an overview, background section, chronology, bibliography and debate-style pro-con feature.

TOPICS: Bullying and Cyberbullying, Dropout Rate, Charter Schools, Bilingual Education, Homeschooling, School Discipline, Homework Debate, STEM Gender Gap, Race and Education

Check the Education Subject Guide for additional search tools for education-related research.

APA citations:

• APA Style
  • From the American Psychological Association. Includes guidance on in-text citations and creating References.
• APA Formatting and Style Guide
  • From Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)

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