Nov
12
Labour Studies 1A03 Assignment
November 12, 2010 | Leave a Comment
From: Susan Shepley
Date: November 12, 2010 10:01:08 AM GMT-05:00
Hi all,
You may have been receiving questions from students in Labour Studies 1A03. They have to write a paper about an aspect of Canadian Labour History.
The essay topics that I’m aware of relate to;
1) the Winnipeg General Strike
2) how Canadian labour leaders treated immigrant workers, particularly the Chinese
Attached to this email is a document with copies of the emails I’ve sent to students who have contacted me for help. Please feel free to use these tips as you assist students.
As always, let me know if you have any questions.
Susan
Attachment:
QUESTION #1 – Winnipeg General Strike
To find books, search the library catalogue
- search “winnipeg general strike”
- it looks like a lot of the books are checked out (probably by other students in your class), but there is an e-book that will likely be useful.
Confrontation at Winnipeg [electronic resource] : labour, industrial relations, and the General Strike By: Bercuson, David Jay, 1945- Edition: Rev. ed. Published: Montréal [Que.] : McGill-Queen’s University Press, 1990. Link to online resource – *McMaster only e-BookBooks are great because they give you an overview of a topic. This is how you’ll find out if the Winnipeg General Strike was part of a movement of labour unrest throughout the world.
A really great book (that’s checked in) is “Working People” by Desmond Morton. It has quite a bit on the Winnipeg General Strike and gives some context to the movement.
Working People By: Morton, Desmond Edition: 5th ed., rev. and updated. Published: Montréal : McGill-Queens University Press, c2007. MILLS Bookstacks HD 6524 .M67 2007 Checked inTo be able to place the Winnipeg Strike in an international context, you’ll also want to search for books about labour movements/events during the same time period. You can try searching the catalogue for ”labor unrest” and then narrow the results to the time period you are considering (use the subject era
menu on the left hand side of the results screen).
Finding articles
Some key databases that you’ll want to consult are JSTOR, Scholars Portal, and America, History and Life.
To access these databases, go to the library website (library.mcmaster.ca) and click on the Articles/Databases tab. Once you are there, search for the database name. You can also choose your subject (Labour Studies, or History) to see a list of recommended databases. Databases let you search thousands of articles in one spot.
Let’s use JSTOR as an example:
When you get to the search screen, be sure to check off “search only content I can access” and choose
“articles”. Otherwise, you’ll get a whole bunch of unrelated stuff.
- do a search for “winnipeg general strike” and international
- a bunch of articles pop up that I think will help!
One of the articles looks especially worthwhile:
Revolutionary Socialism and Industrial Unrest in the Era of the Winnipeg General Strike: The Origins of Communist Labour Unionism in Europe and North AmericaTry similar searches in the other databases I mentioned above and you should be set!
Also, if you are using Google Scholar, be sure to link it to McMaster resources. Go to “Scholar Preferences” in the top right hand corner of Google Scholar. Beside Library Links, search for McMaster.
This will let you select options in order to connect with McMaster subscriptions. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and hit “Save”. If you don’t do this, you’ll find citations to articles but won’t actually be able to open them without paying. No need to pay though, the library already has through our subscriptions. Just simply click on the “Get It” button.
QUESTION #2 – immigrant workers in Canadian history
This is my essay question: 1. Did Canada labour leaders view all immigrants and minorities in the same way? Discuss with reference to at least two immigrant and/or minority groups. My focus is mainly on how the labour leaders did not view all immigrants equally, specifically the difference between the treatment of the black and Chinese during the Late 19th Century. I am to look for 3 articles, I have tried searching JSTOR and Labour/Le travail, also google scholar, but cannot seem to find any articles based in Canada about the issue I am discussing.To find scholarly books, search the library catalogue
- think of keywords that describe your topic
- try a search for “immigrant labour canada”
Books are useful because they give you an overview of a topic. This is how you’ll find out how immigrant workers were treated in Canada over time.
One of the books I’d suggest taking a look at is:
Reluctant host : Canada’s response to immigrant workers, 1896-1994 By: Avery, Donald, 1938- Published: Toronto : McClelland &Stewart, c1995. On reserve for: History 4A6 Frager Mills 2 hour Reserve (1st floor) HD 8108.5 .A2 A945 1995 Checked in Mills 24 hour Reserve (1st floor) HD 8108.5 .A2 A945 1995 Checked inThe books is available at the main desk of Mills Library. I am confident that it will include information about Chinese workers and most likely how they were viewed by Canadian labour leaders.
A really great book (that’s currently checked in) is “Working People” by Desmond Morton. It is a really comprehensive look at the history of labour in Canada, and most likely has information on immigrants.
Working People By: Morton, Desmond Edition: 5th ed., rev. and updated. Published: Montréal : McGill-Queens University Press, c2007. MILLS Bookstacks HD 6524 .M67 2007 Checked inTry searching in the catalogue for “Chinese workers”
I found a book that is checked in and looks useful, as it will likely give you background information about Chinese labourers were treated in Canadian history.
Enduring hardship : the Chinese laundry in Canada / Ban Seng Hoe. By: Hoe, Ban Seng Published: Gatineau, Québec : Canadian Museum of Civilization, c2003. MILLS Bookstacks HD 8039 .L32C346 2003 Checked inFinding articles
Some key databases that you’ll want to consult are JSTOR, Scholars Portal, and America, History and Life.
To access these databases, go to the library website (library.mcmaster.ca) and click on the Articles/Databases tab. Once you are there, search for the database name. You can also choose your subject (Labour Studies, or History) to see a list of recommended databases. Databases let you search thousands of articles in one spot.
For this question, it seems like the database “America, History and Life” is your best bet.
Do a search for “Chinese AND labour AND Canada”
- a bunch of articles pop up that I think will help!
One of the articles looks especially worthwhile, and interestingly enough, it’s by your professor!
Drawing Different Lines of Color: The Mainstream English Canadian Labour Movement’s Approach to
Blacks and the Chinese, 1880 – 1914.
The references in this paper will likely lead you to other really great ones. To find an article based on a reference in a paper, search the title of the journal the article is in under the “e-journals” tab of the library website.
Try similar searches in the other databases I mentioned above and you should be set!
Also, if you are using Google Scholar, be sure to link it to McMaster resources. Go to “Scholar Preferences” in the top right hand corner of Google Scholar. Beside Library Links, search for McMaster.
This will let you select options in order to connect with McMaster subscriptions. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and hit “Save”. If you don’t do this, you’ll find citations to articles but won’t actually be able to open them without paying. No need to pay though, the library already has through our subscriptions. Just simply click on the “Get It” button.
Aug
20
Message from Tamara
August 20, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Beginning this fall, the maintenance of this blog will be passed from Kelly Penfold to Tamara Monster.
If you are already a regular editor or contributor, please post to the McMaster Universities Research Help Blog as you’ve done in the past.
I will endeavor to keep it up to date with information that Library Services staff should know in the event of a Research related inquiry at the desk. If you are interested in posting directly to this blog, I can show you how it is done.
Or, if you are the recipient of any information, especially regarding course assignments, please get in touch with me in person, via email or phone and I’ll put the information up on the blog at my earliest convenience.
At this time, Kelly is still maintaining the Research Help wiki. When it changes over to me, I’ll let everyone know.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Tamara
Apr
6
Expectations for Staff
During the exam period (April 7th-28th) the Learning Commons is designated as a Quiet Study Space. Low level conversation is fine, but quiet study means: no cell phone use, loud noise, music, socializing or rowdiness.
There will be signage posted throughout the library and on the web pages but the noise levels will have to be monitored by the library staff, IT help staff and the Security Guard.
Staff are being asked to help monitor the area in a few ways:
- If it is quiet at the RH desk and you are able, periodically walk through the Learning Commons and remind students that the area is a quiet study area during exams.
- If a student comes to you at the desk and complains, speak to the noise offender, reminding them the area is now a quiet study area.
- If there is a second complaint, speak to the offender again, reminding them that the area is quiet, and if you have to speak to them again, they will be asked to leave.
- If there is another complaint about the same offender, ask the offender to leave. Do not become confrontational.
- if they are resistant or refuse, call campus security by using x24281 or Dial 88
- If there is a major concern or situation that you’d like to let us know about, please email Rhonda (moorer) or Anne Pottier (pottier).
Written by Rhonda. Posted by Kelly.
Mar
4
CAVS: North American vs European DVDs
March 4, 2010 | Leave a Comment
From email:
Hello everyone,
I just wanted to let you know that Otto from CAVS was here this morning explaining about some of the foreign films in our collection. Some of them can not be played on our “north american” dvd players, they need a European or “PAL” player. There is currently one in the CAVS office, so they need to see Chris about booking it.
Cheers,
Erin
(Posted by Kelly)
Mar
4
If Scholars Portal goes down…
March 4, 2010 | Leave a Comment
From email:
http://scholarsportal.info has status info for the various Scholars Portal services, along with contact information for support staff.
The next time indexes go down on a long weekend – this is the page you’ll want!
Janice
(Posted by Kelly)
Mar
4
LibX Toolbar now available!
March 4, 2010 | Leave a Comment
From email:
Colleagues,
We’ve just launched our LibX Toolbar, which puts library search tools right in your browser. For more info and to download the toolbar, check out this blog post: http://library.mcmaster.ca/lab/libx.
Install it, give it a whirl, and let me know if you have any questions, comments, or feedback.
A big thank you to Debbie Lawlor for doing the development work on this!
ae-j
(Posted by Kelly)
Feb
12
Engineering & Society 2X03
February 12, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Hi everyone,
I recently taught 2 sessions for this class, approx. 40 students total. They are working in groups on a central topic or question related to Hamilton. There is a library exercise that is done individually and which involves searching several databases and other online resources. I am attaching the exercise along with the questions and a lengthy handout that I have prepared. These have all been posted on the ELM site for the course. I will place print copies in the “Assignments” binder at Mills. Most of the students use Thode Library so questions may be asked there or in Mills.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
Thanks,
Olga
The Files:
Lib-Research-Handout-winter-10.pdf
es2X03-possible-central-ques-09-10.pdf
(Originally sent by Olga. Reposted by Kelly.)
Jan
20
Donations of Books or Journals
January 20, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Hi everyone
If anyone approaches you wishing to make a donation or books or journals, please either direct them to our “How to Support Your Library” page at (http://library.mcmaster.ca/supporting/how-to-support) or to Wade Wyckoff for book donations (wyckoff@mcmaster.ca or x 26557) or Janice Adlington for journal donations (adling@mcmaster.ca or x 21312) so that we can have some preliminary discussions with the potential donor concerning the materials they wish to give to the library.
In general, we no longer accept large donations of miscellaneous books, for several reasons, including lack of space, lack of resources to catalogue them, etc., so we are now much more selective about what we will accept.
The general guidelines, which appear on the How to Support Your Library page reads:
All offers of gifts will receive careful consideration by the Library. However, materials which we cannot accept are:
- books published before 2000, unless they have particular research value
- duplicates, unless they are copies of high-use items
- materials in poor condition, except for rare or valuable items
- superseded editions of academic texts
- newspapers
- photocopies
- popular paperbacks
- single issues of journals, unless they fill a gap within the Library’s collection
- LP’s
Thanks
Anne
(reposted by Kelly)
Jan
20
Repeat question re: Educational Psychology
January 20, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Hello all,
I keep getting the same question from students regarding an article in Educational Psychology by Graham D. Hendry written in 2005. I don’t think the professor has given students a full citation, because the students I have spoken to do not have any further info about the article aside from the fact that it is about group work.
I think the title is “Helping Students Understand Their Learning Styles: Effects on Study Self-efficacy, Preference for Group Work, and Group Climate,” which is located in Vol. 25, Iss. 4.
-Lindsey
(posted by Kelly)
Jan
19
History 2P03 assignment
January 19, 2010 | Leave a Comment
From Olga:
Hi,
I am attaching a copy of Research Skills Assignment 1 for History 2P03. There are 3 sections this term; I had a class with one section today and I am teaching the other sections over the next 2 weeks.
Assignment #1 is the same for all sections. The assignment requires students to search in the Library Catalogue for books, and to search the databases America History and Life and Historical Abstracts (together) for journal articles. There is also some critical writing involved.
I will place a paper copy of the assignment in the binder at the Research Help Desk.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Olga
Please find the assignment PDF file here: History 2P03 Research Skills 1 assignment PDF
~ Kelly