Your college library is your most valuable research tool, and your college
librarians will be your most helpful research consultants. Your librarians can
show you how to access the library’s computerized book catalog, periodical
databases, and electronic resources, and they can tell you what materials are
available at your library and how to get additional materials on loan from other
libraries. As well, they can show you how to use the Internet to find information
relevant to your research paper. Types of Sources Available in Your College Library
There are many types of sources, both print and electronic, that you might consider
using for research. Reference Works such as almanacs, bibliographies, biographies,
dictionaries, and encyclopedias provide a general overview of a subject area.
They are a good place to start your research as often the list of references
at the end of an article can lead you to additional sources on your topic.
These books do not circulate, so plan to take notes or make photocopies of
the pages you need.
Books on your topic can be found by conducting a search
of your library’s catalog. Usually, searches can be conducted by author,
title, keyword, or subject. Make sure to jot down the call number of the books
you might need so you can find them on the shelves.
Periodicals such as newspapers, magazines, and scholarly
journals may contain research on your topic that is more up-to-date than research
you might find in books. Keep in mind that articles written by scholars and
experts for academic journals and publications are generally more reliable
than articles written by journalists for popular newspapers and magazines.
The Internet, a global network of computers, provides access
to online databases, reference works, and periodicals. You can use the Internet
to read about your topic on Web sites, to conduct interviews via e-mail, to
chat about your research topic, or to read about your topic in newsgroups
and discussion lists. Remember that anyone can publish on the Web, and it
is especially important to critically evaluate any information you find online
before using it in your own research. To learn the fundamentals of evaluating
Web sources, visit the Web
Evaluation Tutor.
Libraries online
Many college libraries list their reference materials, books, and periodical
holdings on their Web sites. In addition, some library sites include links to
helpful reference works available on the Internet. Access your college library
site to see what materials are available online. And, for additional research
help, check out these other library Web sites: Harvard
University’s Widener Library: Includes a guide to electronic
research
University of Michigan Library:
Includes a list of networked electronic resources arranged by discipline.
University of Virginia
Library Electronic Text Center: Includes a large collection of
electronic texts, images, historical documents, and books.
University
of Pennsylvania Online Book Page: Includes over 17,000 online
books.
Library of Congress:
Includes a comprehensive section for researchers with a virtual reference
shelf and access to digital collections.
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