New LIBROS Search Box
Find Books, Ebooks, DVDs, Articles, & More using LIBROS:
Find Articles using LIBROS:
- List of Databases A-Z.
- List of Journals A-Z
- Find a Journal Title
- All Databases (old page)
Find Movies
Search for all movies using LIBROS (includes Films on Demand).
Use the format button in left column of search results to limit to DVD, VHS, or other.
- Browse movies by category.
- Search for movies by subject or title using Films on Demand.
Find Materials on Reseve at the Libray
- Course Reserves Page.
- Reserve materials listed by course.
- All Reserve Materials
Find Web Pages with a Search Engine
- Google Scholar
- Ask.com
- Yahoo Search!
- BING
- For additional search engines, see Phil Bradley's List.
- Top 10 search engines
?Questions? about LIBROS -- Call 925-8990 or if closed
.
The Research Process
- Step 1. Choose your topic.
- Step 2. Create your search strategy.
- Step 3. Search for resources.
- Step 4. Evaluate.
- Step 5. Search again and evaluate.
- Step 6. Usethe information for your paper.
How Do I?---The Research Process
Step 1. Choose your topic
- Choose an idea that interests you.
- Choose an idea that meets the requirements of the assignment.
- Choose an idea that can be researched (some interesting topics are too obscure or too recent).
- Choose an idea that is the right size for the assignment.
For additional help see Searchpath Module 2
- Check your syllabus for both requirements and possible topics.
- For ideas, use information from your textbook essays.
- For ideas, go to one of these databases and browse by topic:
- Issues and Controversies
- Click on "More Research Topics" in lower left corner.
- Points of View Reference Center
- Browse by Category for a potential topic.
- CQ Researcher
- In left column click on "Browse by Topic" or "Pro/Con."
- For ideas, think about the answers to the following questions.
- What is your major? What aspects of your major interest you?
- What hobbies or special interests do you have?
- Is there topic that you think your classmates should know about?
- What topics have been in the news lately that interest you?
Browse through newspapers in the library or online to learn about current events. - If none of the above work, checkout the following web sites.
- International Debate Educational Association
- Use the DebateDatabase.
- Hot Paper Topics from St. Ambrose University Library
- Applied Ethics Index
- Paper Topics from CSU Long Beach
- Yahoo's Issues and Causes
- Time Search
- Fun Persuasive Essays and Speeches
- Issues and Controversies
- Points of View Reference Center
- Term paper topics
- Speech and term paper topics
- Idea Generator
- Argumentative Essay Topics
- Speakout
Step 2. Create your search strategy
Brainstorm on your topic.
- Use W Questions.
- Use Biographical Questions
- Use a concept mapper.
- Concept mapping (source is Northwest Missouri State)
- Spicynodes
- Text2Mindmap
- bubbl us
- Dabbleboard
Create a search statement.
Books
Use a catalog.
Use LIBROS with these search tips.
- Use a few really important keywords.
- Take advantage of subject headings.
- Use "Advanced Search" to combine search terms.
- Limit by date, material type (books, visual materials).
- Search people "Last name, first name."
- Note complete call number and if item is checked out.
- See Searchpath Module 3 for help using LIBROS.
Other catalogs
Articles
Use a database.
Choose a database and use these search tips.
- Biography Reference Bank 4 users only
- Literary Reference Center
- Literary Criticism Online
- Gale Virtual Reference Library
- CREDO Reference
- New Mexico Newspapers
- New Mexico Newstand
- Newspaper Archives
- New Mexico Business Weekley
- New York Times (current)
- New York Times (1851-2006)
- The (London) Times Digital Archive 1785-1985
- Wall Street Journal
- Proquest. (Off campus link)
- Academic Search Complete.
- Expanded Academic Index. (Off campus link)
- Gale Reference Center Gold . (Off campus link)
- Lexis/Nexis.
Web info
Use a search engine.
Choose a search engine and use these tips.
- Bing
- Google Advanced
- Ask.com Advanced
- Yippy Advanced
- Dogpilemetasearch engine
- Truveo (for images)
- Blinkx (for images)
Evaluate results.
Criteria
- Authority
- Content/Coverage
- Accuracy
- Currency
- Objectivity
- Purpose
Step 5. Search again and evaluate
- Quiz
- Another tutorial
- Tips for Avoiding Plagiarism
- See Searchpath Module 6 or Citing Sources for help with avoiding plagarism and citing sources.
- See Searchpath Module 6 or Citing Sources for help with avoiding plagarism and citing sources.
- MLA Handbook (LB2369 G53 2009)
- Pocket Style Manual by Diana Hacker (On Reserve at the Library) and the 2009 MLA update.
- APA help from APA
- APA style from Sacramento State University Library
- Style Sheets for Citing Resources (Print & Electronic)
- OWL Purdue Writing Lab
- The Writing Center?University of Wisconsin?Madison. MLA Documentation
- Citation Fox
- EasyBib.com
- KnightCite (Calvin College)