690+sources

Distinguishing between primary and secondary information sources.

from Fraenkel/Wallen Ch. 5

3 basic types of sources: 1. general references: often referred to first, where to locate other sources, indexes (current index to Journals in education), abstracts (brief summaries- psychological abstracts) 2. primary sources: researchers report results of their own studies directly to readers, most are journals - journal of educational research or journal of research in science teaching, monthly or quarterly 3. secondary sources: authors describe works of others, textbooks, encyclopedias, research reviews, and yearbooks

2 types of primary sources: 1. journals 2. reports

many publish reports: us govt, state dept of ed, private organizations, school districts, professional assoications, some individual researchers

how to read a primary article: 1. read abstract first 2. record bibliogr. data at top of 3x5 card 3. copy abstract or summary or take notes 4. take brief notes, don't exclude what could possibly be important later maybe prelabel note cards with essential steps (problem, hypothesis, procedures, finding, concluisons) and leave space to take notes after each step

metaanalysis: averaging the results of selected studies to get overall index of outcome or relationship (bc of so many studies) requirement 1: results be described statistically

search of metanalysis study should be included in a lit review when possible