Assignment 7: Getting ready to use Academic Search Premier

My impression of the Academic Search Premier is similar to the other advanced search engines.  I have used this site in other classes for specifically English research papers.  We basically used any search engines that were linked to the library website for SCSU.  My fears for using this site is that it will give me to much of the same sources as my other researching. 

My Population

I correct when claiming that the majority of inmantes sent to maximum security prisions are  those who commited violent crimes.  Though I learned that many are both people who have a record of violence or had repeated crimes. Though, I learned that not only does that determine if a person is sentanced to a maximum security but not only have a background check on them and a persons criminal history but also, psychological and educational testing is done on some.  Based off of this, each future inmante is classified and based off their classification the location they will serve their sentence is determined.

From this, I have thought of more questions to ask on my topic. I am curious the impact of placing the most violent criminals in the same prison impacts the violence inside the prison with inmates and staff? Also, how is gender seperated within these prisons?

I have found information on violence in Prisons specifically gangs, a lot of information on the history and build up of these institutuons, those on death row in maximum security, and information on the services that are offered to ensure health for the inmates in these maximum security prisons.

Wikipedia Vs. Encyclopedia

Pros to Wikipedia

A) Information ranges to almost any topic.

B) Great starting point when researching a subject.

C) Offers the layout of a topic- a rough run down on anything.

Pros to Encyclopedia

A) Credible and detailed information on a particular topic.

B) The Encyclopedias are constantly being updated to get the most up todate information.

Cons to Wikipedia

A) Anyone can post to on the website. This will leave you always questioning the information you read,

Cons to Encyclopedia

A) Doesn’t always consist of every aspect on a topic.  There could be certain aspects to the topic left out.

B) Could be out of date, more information that has been learned since the Encyclopedia was published.

I went to the school website and searched under Encyclopedia’s.  There were 4 encyclopedia’s listed in my search on under “Prisons in the U.S. Encyclopedia”. I was able to find all four of the Encyclopedia’s on the shelves.  I chose “Prisons” by Jeffrey Ferro.  I was unable to find any E-encyclopedia ‘s on my topic but I will attemt to dig deeper. The information I found on wikipedia seemed to more lightly mirror almost evey topic in the Encyclopedia; touching on topic overviews, improtant chronology of important points in history that focus on prisions and both are filled with many termanology pages on the topic.  The “Prisions” encyclopedia I feel would be more beneficial because there is more detail involved through out the context.

As#3 Starting My Researching

My topic is Maximum security prisons and the most common type of criminal that live there as well as why this type of prison is necessary for these people.  I will be looking into the histoy/background on these level 5 security facilities and what made it what it is today.

When I went to the Library link on the SCSU website and clicked the advance search, I struggled to find any books related to my topic. I was typing “Maximim security prisons in MN”. To narrowed of a search. Eventually I tried, Minnesota AND Correctional Facilities Or Jail AND Inmates.  Also, MN AND Still Water AND Prison. Using these word, I started finding the books I needed and much more.

Most Ebooks I came across on my topic were governmental documents ranging from reports on inmate deaths that give a detailed explaination of  the person, what occurred and so on. Also, Ebooks on governtment documents on regulations and financial reports. Once I shape my topic better I’ll decided if I will use any of these resources but some were very interesting so I wouldn’t mind using them in my reaseach. It’s a little difficult for me to read a book on the computer rather than on paper.  I like being more hands on by being able to flip through pages instead of scrolling. It feel more organized to have it open infront of me; though, it probably just takes some getting used to. When I searched on the OPAC site, I clicked on the advanced search link. For my search string I filled out: Minnesota AND Correctional Facilities Or Jail AND Inmates. I found many book dealing with the criminal justice aspect and some personal biographies. The difference between the Miller Library and OPAC is the location of the Miller is close.  I was in the Miller library when searching, so, I only had to go down a few flights of stairs to find my book.  If I don’t have anymore luck with the Miller I would go to the OPAC.