Step 1 - Read This Document

The following guide offers an introduction to doing research at a distance and outlines the resources available to students through the WGU Central Library. Please take a moment to read this guide in its entirety before following any of the links offered below. Once familiar with the research opportunities available to you, you'll be better prepared to conduct efficient, productive research.

Step 2 - Access the Library

To access the WGU Library web page, logon to the my.WGU.edu Portal home page, MyWGU, and click on the Library link under WGU Resources on the left. To access Ereserves, or any of the article databases, use the passwords which appear in the window when you first click on the Library link.

Step 3 - Get Acquainted

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the WGU Central Library web page layout. When following the links available here, you'll find databases which allow you to search for full-text articles or books on a given subject, library tutorials and user guides, a host of reference materials, and links to research opportunities available on the World Wide Web.

Near the top of the page, notice Barbara Rosen's contact information. Barbara is the WGU "Cybrarian" and is available to help you with ALL your research needs. Please don't hesitate to contact Barbara when necessary. She's anxious to help you make the most of the library services available to you.

Step 4 - Select a Topic

If you've arrived at the WGU Central Library with a specific research topic in mind, congratulations, you're half-way home. If not, you might consider using a library database like FirstSearch, or a search engine such as Google or Yahoo to find topics of interest on the World Wide Web. Involve your Mentor in your research by soliciting topic suggestions and starting points. Your research topic should be broad enough to capture your interest, but focused and manageable.

Step 5 - Use Electronic Indexes and Take Advantage of Interlibrary Loan / Document Delivery Services

The WGU Central Library offers access to full-text articles from periodical journals, magazines and newspapers through the First Search, Ingenta and ProQuest ABI/Inform indexes. Consider expanding your research by using one of these three databases and taking advantage of the Interlibrary Loan Service.

First Search is an online search service that provides access to a variety of databases in all disciplines. You may search First Search by subject, author or title.

ProQuest ABI/Inform is a periodical index to articles on business, management, advertising, marketing, economics, human resources, finance, taxation, computers, and more.

Ingenta (Uncover) is a periodical index to approximately 17,000 multidisciplinary magazines and journals published since Fall 1988. You can search UnCover by keywords in article titles and summaries, by author's name or by scanning the table of contents of a particular issue of a magazine or journal.

Interlibrary Loan Service allows students to receive books or full-text articles in electronic or hard copy, at their homes. Click on the ILLiad link to open up your own Interlibrary Loan account. You will then be able to order documents, and keep track of your requests online. Materials will be delivered to your home within three weeks, depending upon availability. If the materials are within the UNM Library system, delivery time is much faster. If it is necessary to borrow the book from another library, it will take longer. There is no charge for this service. The loan period varies depending on the loaning library. It is generally 2-4 weeks. Contact WGU's "Cybrarian," Barbara Rosen if you have questions about the Interlibrary Loan / Document Delivery Service.

Step 6 - Locate Books and Have Them Delivered To Your Home

WGU students may search the WGU Central Library to locate books on a given subject by using the LIBROS Web Catalog. Once you've located a book you'd like to use in your research, use the WGU Central Library ILLiad interlibrary loan service to have the book delivered to your home. Students may purchase textbooks through the WGU Bookstore and have the opportunity to sell them back when finished.

LIBROS allows students to search for books by keyword, author or title. Books are often useful research tools as they can provide historical or general background on your research topic.

Interlibrary Loan Service allows students to receive books or full-text articles in hard copy, at their homes. Contact WGU's "Cybrarian," Barbara Rosen to make use of the Document Delivery Service. Materials will be delivered to your home within three weeks, depending upon availability.

The WGU Bookstore is a service of Barnes & Noble.com - The College Textbook Store. Students may search for books by title, author, keyword or ISBN. Books purchased through the WGU Bookstore may be sold back at a used-book rate.

Step 7 - Investigate World Wide Web Sources

The World Wide Web presents literally millions of research avenues for students. Rely on METASITES, Search Engines or Electronic Reference Materials for your research needs. When using web-based sources, be sure to investigate the credibility and reliability of your source.

METASITES are store collections of Web Sites on various subjects and are often helpful when searching for general information about a topic on the World Wide Web.

Search Engines allow users to search the World Wide Web by keyword and are useful when seeking specific information about your topic. Links to well-known search engines are provided through the WGU Central Library.

Electronic Reference Materials include encyclopedias, dictionaries, almanacs and style manuals. Make use of these materials as you conduct research.

Step 8 - Ask For Help

Perhaps the most helpful hint for those learning to do research at a distance is to admit that you are powerless when faced with obstacles you cannot control. If you encounter technical difficulties, have difficulty finding sufficient resources or could benefit from the advice of experienced research professionals, don't hesitate to ask for help. Contact Barbara Rosen or your Mentor to discuss any difficulties you may encounter.

WGU Technical Support Email: info@wgu.edu Toll-Free Phone: (877) 435-7948 Office Hours: 8am - 5pm, MST, Monday through Friday

Barbara Rosen, WGU Librarian Email: wguclr@unm.edu Phone: (505) 277-7176 Office Hours: 8am - 5pm, MST, Monday through Friday

Library Orientation Tutorial for Education Without Boundaries