Resources for...

 

mosaicENGLISH 110 (Garland):
Introduction to College Writing

 

Kati Tvaruzka, Education Reference Librarian,
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

 


Library Basics

For all your research needs: www.uwec.edu/Library

Check out this short presentation on why you should use the library's website instead of jumping to an Internet search engine.
The library's website should be your launching point and will provide you with access to information on library collections, services, hours of operation, loan periods, as well as access to the online catalog, online databases, and research guides to help you.

Here's a guide to help you locate materials by call number.

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The Research Process

There are four basic steps to the research process:

  • Pick a topic
  • Get background information: Start with subject encyclopedias and dictionaries as it's a good idea to get a working knowledge of your topic before you start digging for more detailed information.
  • Get detailed information:  Use books from the library's main stacks or other collections
  • Get current information:  Use library databases to find journal articles

The Research Map will help you find your way through these four steps.  Information is broken down by  discipline.

It's important to develop a search statement and pick out keywords in that statement.  Also think of synonyms for those keywords so that you're armed with good search terms.  Think of ways to link those terms using Boolean operators. 

For additional guidance, use the variety of guides put together by the reference librarians to help you with your research.   

Check out this short PowerPoint presentation if you are having a hard time distiniguishing primary versus secondary research/sources.

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Using the Online Catalog

Use the Voyager Online Catalog to locate books and other media at McIntyre Library as well as other UW libraries (through Universal Borrowing or Interlibrary Loan if the material is not available through the UW system).  Click here for a guide to using the online catalog, which includes information on how to limit by location, item type, medium and more.

Search Tips:

  • Use a builder search to do more advanced searching
  • Set limits if you want only certain materials or items from certain collections
  • When you find an item that looks really good, cross search its subject headings to get to other similar materials.

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Finding and Using Library Databases

Database list - the library has access to over 140 different databases!

Periodicals list - a master list of everything we have or have access to (in print and with online access)

Finding articles by discipline - we help you pick the databases that are best for your particular topic or discipline

Search Tips:

  • Search only one database at a time (click on the name of the database)
  • Don't EVER limit to full-text! Use the option instead.

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General Article Databases

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Newspaper Databases

Researching a Local Topic

  • Government Websites - check out the link to Wisconsin state agencies

  • Wisconsin Census - WI census data is included with the U.S. census files through FactFinder (a great source for source population, housing, economic, and geographic data)

Evaluating Your Sources

Citation City

Help!

Don't waste your valuable time if you're stuck or if you just need a reminder about a resource or search strategy. We're here to help you! Feel free to email me. For technical problems and access issues, call the library's Reference Desk at 715.836.3858, email a librarian, or contact the Help Desk.

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Please take a moment to fill out this brief survey about your library instruction and research session. It will better help me help you! Thanks.


Updated: October 16, 2007