Buley Library Research Basics

Buley Library Research BasicsWinnie ShyamShyamw1@southernct.edu(203) 392-5762BU 122GFall 2015

Whats Where

Ground FloorPeriodicals (Magazines, Journals, Newspapers), Theses, Microfilm, Microfiche, Special Collections

First FloorReference Books, Maps, Videos, DVDs, Music CDs, Leisure Reading

Second Floor Circulating Books (Call numbers A-PN2924)

Third Floor Circulating Books (Call numbers PN2924-Z), Juvenile Collection, Oversize Collection, Curriculum Lab Collection

Finding Books, DVDs, eBooks, etc.

On the library home page (http://libguides.southernct.edu/home/), enter your search terms in the quick search box. If you wish to search all of the CSU libraries and the State Library, select the radio button next to at all CSUs & State Library). The default is to search SCSU library catalog only.

Select CONSULS Library Catalog for Advanced Search options.

How Books Are ArrangedBooks are arranged by the Library of Congress Call Number System.

Each book has a call number which consists of letters and numbers. Example: Z733.U6G86 1981

The letter in a call number represents a major subject area. Books on a subject are grouped together.

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Subject SearchUse SUBJECT search to find information on a broad topic.

In a SUBJECT search, only the subject/descriptor field of a record is searched.

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Keyword SearchKeyword search uses natural language search terms. Keyword searches retrieve many records, some of which may be irrelevantIn a keyword search the search term you enter may appear anywhere in the record (title, subject, notes, table of contents, etc.).

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Requesting items from another CSU LibraryYou can request items that are available at the other three state universities, online.

Click on Request and follow the directions

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Advanced Search

Search StrategiesCombine your main search concepts with operators such as and, or or not to give your search focus

Do not use phrase words in a search

To search an exact phrase type the phrase in quotationsExample: Stand your ground

Look at the subject headings or descriptors in the records in your results list to see what search terms are being used in the database for your topic

Illustrating AND operator Liberal education and success

The shaded overlapping area represents the number of records that contain the terms, liberal education and success.

Illustrating OR operatorliberal education OR higher education

The shaded area represents the number of records that contain either liberal education or higher education

Illustrating NOT operatorcollege not school

The yellow circle represents records that contain the word college. The pink circle represents the records that contain school.

Using Parentheses Parentheses are used to group search words for more complex or focused searches.Example: higher education and (success or failure) In this search, documents that contain the word higher education and either the word success or the word failure ,or both, are retrieved.

Finding Periodicals in the Library

Enter your journal title in the search box to see if we have the periodical in print, online, microfilm, or microfiche.

Interlibrary Loan (ILL)If the library does not have the periodical you need we can get the article for you through interlibrary loan at no cost.

Select the ILL tab and follow directions to request items

Finding Journal, Magazine, and Newspaper ArticlesSearch Databases to find periodical articles.Databases can be accessed from the Articles tab on the library home page.From the Articles page select All Databases

Click on the articles tab and select all databases for an alphabetical listing of databases by titleClick on the down arrow to get a listing of databases by subject. Select the subject you need and click on go.

Databases

Clicking on All Databases in the Articles page will retrieve an alphabetical list of databases (A-Z). Select the alphabet you want and then select the relevant database from that list. You can also search for databases by subject.Database types will retrieve newspaper databases, e-books, etc. Vendors/Providers will retrieve databases provided by vendors such as Ebsco, Gale, Proquest, etc.

Databases vs. Internet Why use Databases?Databases, not internet search engines, should be the first stop for any academic research assignment.

Information in databases goes through a peer-review process and is therefore more reliable

Why not the Internet?You may use the internet for browsing or getting acquainted with your topic but use library databases to find quality information for your papers.

Information on the web needs to be evaluated

Scholarly or Peer-reviewed Journals

Articles are written by a scholar or researcher in the field and are most often published by a specific organization

The language is that of the discipline covered and usually requires the reader to have some knowledge of the subject.

May often contain graphs and charts.

Cite sources in the form of bibliographies

Some Scholarly Journal Titles Energy and EnvironmentJournal of Social IssuesNineteenth Century LiteratureSocial Justice ResearchWorkforce Management

Popular and Other PeriodicalsUsually written by a member of the editorial staff, a scholar, or a free-lance writer and generally published by commercial enterprises or an individual though some may be published by a professional organization.

Contain general interest articles aimed at a broad audience.

Articles have illustrations or photographs.

Articles usually do not cite sources.

Some Popular Periodical Titles

EbonyNewsweekRolling StoneSports IllustratedTime

Evaluating Information in Print and on the Web with the CRAP TestCurrency When was the information published? When was it last updated? Is the source current or out of date for your topic?ReliabilityIs the information well researched? Is there supporting evidence?Is the information too elementary, technical or advanced? Who is the audience?AuthorityWhat are the authors credentials? Is the author well known in her/his field? Is there contact information? What are the publishers credentials?Purpose or Point of ViewIs the information fact, opinion or propaganda? Is it free from bias?Is the author objective and impartial?

CRAP VideoDr. Chad Bauman has created an excellent music video which explains CRAP.The video is available at http://youtu.be/R5NbTBXddrwPro

Research GuidesGuides on various topics such as research skills, course specific guides, citation styles, plagiarism, Google Scholar, etc., are available to help students with their research. Click on Research at Buley on the library home page and select Research Guides to access these guides.

Access database tutorials and help guides on Google Scholar, citation styles, and much moreLearn how to borrow and renew books, access course reserves, etc.

Need help?Go to the Reference Desk on the main floor of the library for help during normal reference hours. Schedule an individual appointment with your subject librarian.You can Ask Us a question, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter by using the relevant icons at the bottom of the library home page.

Schedule an appointment with a librarianMore ways to get help