OL300 -- Setting the PACE
Setting research skills and standards
Why learn information skills
- How much information is there in the world today? How much information flows through Staley Library and its resources? See: How Much Information?
- On an average weekday the New York Times contains more information than any contemporary of Shakespeare's would have acquired in a lifetime. -anonymous
- It is up to YOU to retrieve and evaluate the best sources for your research.
Start with an inquiry process
- Beginning your search with the inquiry process will give you a much better sense of what you are looking for and where to look. These first steps can save you a lot of time and trouble in the long run.
- Start with background sources such as those in the library's Reference Collection to locate basic information about a topic, the terminology associated with a topic, and prominent dates, events, and people.
- What questions do you need answered about your topic? Questions are an excellent starting point for research. The following sites share some information on the value of questions:
Beginning your information search
- Defining a search strategy and selecting the appropriate search terms is the first step in your research process. Once you have selected your search terms it is necessary to combine them in the optimum way with the use of Boolean operators. The following sites will help you understand how to select your keywords.
Using databases to retrieve information
- Most of the information we locate today is found using an electronic database. Understanding databases and how they function can improve your information retrieval.
- To retrieve the best information possible for your topic, you must be in using the best possible database. Selecting Sources will help you do just that.
- Consider keeping a research log or journal that documents where, when, and what you searched for. Note also terms that work especially well, and those that do not.
Retrieving Information
Retrieving articles
- To select the best database for your topic, look at the Periodicals Database (by subject) list. Select your topic area on the left to view appropriate databases. In general, it is recommended you start with the database at the top of each subject list. Don't forget to look at the Multi-disciplinary category, included here are databases that are good for a variety of topics.
- Note the information provider of the various databases - those that come from the same provider will have the same (or a very similar) interface as you search.
Suggested Databases
The following databases are suggested for your research for this particular class. Complete lists of databases, arranged by subject, can be found on the Periodicals Databases - by subject list.
Business Source Elite
Retrieving books
- MILLINET is the library's online catalog. This is your starting point for locating books, videos, and music both in this library and 64 other academic libraries in the state of Illinois.
- Use the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) to better focus your subject and retrieve more relevant titles.
Retrieving Internet resources
Evaluating Information
You will quickly discover that the faculty's expectations of the information resources you use will be at a much higher level than you have probably encountered in the past. Evaluating the quality and applicability of the information you retrieve will become your responsibility.
- Evaluating Articles. Do you know what the difference is between a magazine and journal? Each type of periodical has specific criteria and it is up to you to evaluate a title to see which category it falls under. The chart on our Is it a Magazine or Journal? page will help you determine the appropriate category.
- Evaluating Internet sources. When using the Internet as a source for any kind of research it is crucial that you apply evaluative criteria to all of the sites you consider using. (The faculty will be even You may determine the validity of a site by applying the criteria available in Evaluating Internet Resources.
Research Tips
There are numerous issues that you will need to be concerned with as you engage in research and the writing of papers. The following pages all provide information that will help you with questions about any of these issues.
Preventing Plagiarism - a guide for students. Plagiarism is a big issue on college campuses, including Millikins. Do you know when you have crossed over the line and plagiarized a source? Guidelines and tips for avoiding plagiarism are included on this page.
Preparing an Annotation. On occasion you may be asked to complete an annotated bibliography. What is an annotated bibliography and how do you create one? Check this page for guidance.
Writing a Bibliography. You will be expected to write bibliographies for papers you write. The information contained here will help you as you write you bibliography and cite your sources.
Do we own it? This page provides information to help you determine whether or not Staley Library owns a particular periodical title and how you can find out whether it is available in full-text.
Have a quick research question? Use the Ask a Librarian e-mail option.
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