Reference and Instruction Librarian
Library skills
Research Process
Starting the process:
- Read the assignment carefully
- Identify the assignment requirements
- What do you need to find/ research?
- Citation requirement?
- Paper length?
- Sources?
- Use the Research Companion to get started
The research process:
- Choose some databases that may be helpful
- Choose your keywords - identify synonyms and try some different searches
- Organize and evaluate information - is it relevant? from a scholarly source?
- Write draft, proofread, and ensure all citations are included
- Writer's Reference Center is a helpful resource
- CITE anything you take from sources!
- Websites, articles from databases, videos, etc.
- Basically, cite anything that is not your own!
Databases
General Databases:
- Academic Search Complete (EBSCO) This link opens in a new windowMOST RECOMMENDED. Cross disciplinary coverage from Astronomy to Zoology. Scholarly journal articles, industry magazines and top newspapers. Text with screen reader and translator.
- Academic OneFile (Gale) This link opens in a new windowPeer-reviewed, full-text articles from leading journals and reference sources. Larger than Expanded Academic One File.
- Gale eBooks This link opens in a new windowWide ranging credible scholarship on many topics. Literature, short stories, poetry, science and social sciences are well covered. This is a great database to begin research. It is a sound academic replacement for Wikipedia.
Argumentative Databases
- CQ Researcher (Sage) This link opens in a new windowResearch overviews of public affairs topics covering social, economic, environmental and technological issues.
- Opposing Viewpoints (Gale) This link opens in a new windowViewpoint articles, topic overviews, government and organizational statistics, newspaper and magazine articles and more concerning social issues.
- Issues & Controversies (Infobase) This link opens in a new windowUnderstand today’s crucial issues by exploring hundreds of hot topics in politics, government, business, society, education, and popular culture. Contains thousands of editorials and opinions from renowned newspaper sources and offers in-depth articles presenting both sides of an issue clearly, coherently, and without bias.
- Global Issues in Context (Gale) This link opens in a new windowDesigned to support global awareness, Global Issues in Context ties together news, perspectives, reference materials, primary source documents, audio, video, statistics, and more. Search "Browse Issues and Topics" to find international issue ideas. -From publisher.
- Statista This link opens in a new windowKick-start your research with access to relevant data from over 18,000 sources. Statista provides statistics, studies and customizable reports.
Citations
Additional Resources
How to use the library!
ENC1101 - Library Information