University Library > Guides > English 102: Curious Researcher

English 102
The Curious Researcher

Prof. Townsend, Annucci and Davidson-Zielske

Table of Contents:

Search Tips

This Tips to Save you Time: Find Info Fast Powerpoint presentation provides an overview of the library research process and commonly used keyword search tips. Generally, you will start your research with keyword searches, so it is a good idea to memorize these tips. Look for resource specific tips, such as the truncation symbol and date range limit, on the help screens of the catalog or database, and on the in-depth How to Use guides created by Andersen Librarians, such as these:

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Use Databases to Find Articles

Andersen Library subscribes to many databases that can be used to locate periodical (journal, magazine and newspaper) articles, as well as book chapters, dissertations and the like. Online databases are the preferred way to find recent articles. If you need older articles, or cannot find any articles on your topic using online databases, ask a Librarian for assistance with researching and using other resources. Databases list articles that may or may not be owned by Andersen Library. More about how to find periodicals & articles in the Library below.

Access online databases by selecting Articles from the Find menu on any Andersen Library webpage. Then do one of the following:

Databases can also be reached from the center search box on the Library homepage, by clicking on the Articles or Top Databases tab.

Basic instructions for searching various databases can be found in Andersen Library's online How to Use Guides. Additional tips, including various limits and other searches types, can be found on help screens in the databases.

It is worthwhile to be both comprehensive and detailed when searching. Be thorough by using synonyms and truncation when there are multiple ways to refer to an idea. Be focused by using "and" to combine different ideas together.

Sample search in Academic Search Premier:

"extreme sport*" and (wom* or female*)

How do you know whether an article is scholarly or not? Check out the Scholarly Journal v. Popular Magazine Articles guide.

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Find Periodicals and Articles in the Library

Most databases have some full text articles in addition to article citations. When an article is not available in that database, use Find It to determine whether and where Andersen Library has a specific article.

If you are not in a database, use the Journal Holdings List or Citation Linker to determine whether and where Andersen Library has a periodical.

How? Check out the How to Use Find It & Citation Linker guide.

Use Catalogs to Find Books and Videos

The Library Catalog contains records of library holdings, such as books, videos, and government documents. It provides the call number and location, which are needed to find these materials in the Library, as well as a Location Map link which shows the general location in Andersen Library.

The Catalog does not help locate journal, magazine or newspaper articles; to find these periodical articles use online databases.

Detailed instructions for searching the catalog are in these two guides: How to Use the Library Catalog: 1. Basic Search and How to Use the Library Catalog: 2. Additional Features.

Briefly, it is worthwhile to be both comprehensive and detailed when searching. Be thorough by using synonyms and truncation when there are multiple ways to refer to an idea. Be focused by using "and" to combine different ideas together.

Access the catalog from any Andersen Library webpage by selecting Books from the Find menu, then clicking on HALcat, the Andersen Library Catalog. Alternatively, use the center search box or access via the left sidebar link on the Library homepage.

Sample Keyword (use and, or, not) searches:

"extreme sports"

"social network?" and internet

Book isn't here? Use Universal Borrowing or Interlibrary Loan to borrow from other libraries.

Borrow from Other Libraries

There are two interlibrary loan services you can use to borrow materials that are not in the Library.

  • Universal Borrowing (UB) is a free service by which you can order books, videos, government documents and other materials (but not articles) from other UW System libraries for free, and have them arrive here in a few short days.
  • Interlibrary Loan (ILL) using ILLiad, is a service used to borrow books, videos, government documents, articles and other materials from libraries around the world. It takes longer than UB and costs $1.

How? Check out the How to Borrow From Other Libraries guide.

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Websites

Find websites by using free indexes such as these or searching the Internet with Google:

How do you know if it is a quality website? Check out these Evaluating Internet Resources guides.

Cite References in MLA Style

Whether you choose to quote or paraphrase sources in your research paper, you must cite each source you use. For rules and examples, look here:

  • Rules for Writers 5th ed. 2004. Required Textbook. Also at Reference Desk PE1408 .H277 2004
  • MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers 6th ed. 2003. Reference Desk LB2369 .G53 2003
  • MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing 2nd ed. 1998. Reference Desk PN147 .G444 1998
  • Citing References: MLA Style - (Andersen Library, UW-Whitewater)
  • MLA Formatting and Style Guide - (Online Writing Lab at Purdue)
  • MLA Documentation - (Writing Center at UW-Madison)

Want to jump start your list of references? This Citation Formatters guide has some tools you can use...just remember they are not foolproof. You will need to review your citations to make sure they are correct.

Evaluate What You Find

When you need to use popular and scholarly articles in your project, do you know how to tell which one is which? Check out the Scholarly Journal v. Popular Magazine Articles guide for tips.

It is important to do some critical evaluation to decide whether what you find, particularly online sources of information, is appropriate and usable for your University research assignment. If you are evaluating a website, the methods linked from Evaluating Internet Resources provide useful guidance in determining the source, scope, currency, accuracy and bias of a site.

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For assistance, contact a reference librarian at (262) 472-1032, by email or chat or in person at the Library's Reference Desk.

Last Revised: MS - 11/5/2009