Resources for...

 

mosaicENGLISH 110:
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.

May I suggest?...NEWS AND CURRENT AFFAIRS

  • News/Current Affairs: a direct link to the various databases to search for news topics

  • CQ Researcher: Reports on current, controversial issues of the day; This is an excellent resource for getting an overview of current hot topics.  Summarizes the current debate and gives sources of information and suggestions for further research. (Also available in print: Reference H35 .E35)

May I suggest?...NEWSPAPERS

  • Newspapers in Print: a list of the newspapers we subscribe to in print. You will find these on the 2nd floor.

  • ProQuest Newspapers - Full text of 300+ U.S. and international news sources including 150+ newspapers. Some of the titles covered are the New York Times, the Times of London, the Chicago Sun Times, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and the Wisconsin State Journal.

  • ProQuest Wisconsin Newsstand: Select Wisconsin newspapers online, including Corporate Report Wisconsin ( Menomonee Falls); The Daily Reporter (Milwaukee); La Crosse Tribune; Madison Capital Times; Current Marketplace (Appleton); Marshfield News Herald; Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; Kenosha News; Northeastern Wisconsin Business Review (Neeah); Rhinelander Daily News; Wausau Daily Herald; Wisconsin State Journal.

  • Lexis Nexis Academic: "News" section contains the full text of U.S. and international newspapers, news transcripts, magazine and journal articles, policy papers, news wires and newsletters.

May I suggest?...JOURNAL ARTICLES

  • Academic Search Elite - a general academic index that indexes almost 3,000 magazines and journals from every academic discipline.

  • Reader's Guide Full Text - Indexes general-interest periodicals published in the United States and Canada, with some full text for selected periodicals. Topics covered: general, contemporary issues, news, current events, biography, popular topics, travel, hobbies, sports, entertainment, and politics.

  • Social Sciences Full Text - periodicals and journals in the social sciences. Topics covered: anthropology, area studies, community health, criminology, economics, environment, ethics, ethnic studies, family studies, gender studies, geography, international relations, law, planning & public administration, policy sciences, political science, psychology, social work, sociology, and urban studies.


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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 15, 2007