Portfolio Task #3: Academic Research Skills (10%)

WHAT WHY

Demonstrate your ability to select Finding relevant and credible

relevant and credible sources of sources of information will help you
information. to answer questions, solve
problems, and support
interpretations.

HOW

This assignment asks you to use Conestoga’s library. Carefully read and follow the
assignment instructions below to complete the assignment in full.

Please Note
This assignment requires you to include screen captures.

Once you have taken a screen capture, follow these steps to add screen captures
to this document:

i. Click on the text box where you want to add a screen capture.
ii. Select “Insert” from the menu of your writing software.
iii. Click “Pictures.”
iv. Click “Insert Picture from This Device.”
v. Select the relevant screen grab.

1. CHOOSE A TOPIC:

Pick a topic related to your program that you want to learn more about.

Whatever topic you choose, your job in this assignment will be to find a text in the
library’s database that would help you to learn more about this topic.

Write the topic that you have chosen in the space below.
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2. SELECT KEYWORDS
In the box below, include a picture of the keywords that you used in the library’s search
bar(s) to find a relevant text on your topic.

In the box below, explain how you chose these keywords. If you began your search with
different keywords or added to your initial keywords, discuss these changes/additions in
your explanation.

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3. ADD FILTERS
In the box below, include a picture of the filters (e.g. publication date, source type) that
you used to find a relevant text on your topic.

In the box below, explain why you chose these filters and how they helped you to find a
relevant text on your topic.

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4. IDENTIFY POTENTIAL TEXT

From the search results generated by your keywords and filters, select one text that you
think will help you to learn more about your chosen topic.

In the box below, provide a screen capture of the bibliographic details (e.g. title, date of
publication, name of publication, page numbers) of your chosen text.

In the box below, explain why you think this text might help you to learn more about
your topic. For now, only refer to these bibliographic details (e.g. title, date of
publication, name of publication, page numbers) in your explanation.

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5. ASSESS THE SUITABILITY OF YOUR CHOSEN TEXT

Now look more closely at the text. This closer examination might include looking at the
subject tags, the abstract/summary, and/or a scan of the text itself. Explain why you
would or would not choose to use this source to help you learn about your topic.

6. FIND A MATCHING TEXT OUTSIDE THE LIBRARY

Now look outside the library to locate a potentially useful source of information on your
topic. Provide a reference for the text in the box below using APA @ Conestoga style
guidelines.

7. JUSTIFY YOUR SELECTION

Explain why this text is a good addition to your search. For example, you might explain
that it adds something different than the text you found in the library, or you might
explain how it addresses some of the problems with the text you found in the library.

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8. REFLECT ON THE CHALLENGE

Describe your experience doing this assignment. You might discuss things like the
challenges you faced trying to use the library database, the differences between using
the library and searching the web, and/or how you might use the skills you have
developed while doing this assignment.