Begin My Research
1. Select a Topic
- Class assignment
- Textbook
- Class lectures
- Reference books on subject
2. Get Needed Background Information
- Reference books
3. Select Books Appropriate to Your Topic
- Library's online catalog
4. Identify Periodical Indexes Appropriate to Your Topic
- Library home page
- Select Electronic Databases
- Go to General/Multidisciplinary
- Select Academic Search Premier or one of the other general databaxes (not limited to one particular subject area) AND/OR
- Go to a particular subject area
5. Search Periodical Indexes for Appropriate Articles
Each database that is available to Centre students and faculty searches in a slightly different way. However, you may find the following tips useful in searching any of the databases.
- Locate the built in help feature -- often this will provide a quick overview of how to search
- Advanced search option -- most databases default to a very basic search page; a more advanced/expert search will often allow for more precise and efficient searching.
- Subject searching -- many databases allow you to search for specific subject headings which can make a broad search more focused
6. Determine Availability of Journal Articles
- Full-text online in the database you are searching -- look for the icon (symbol) that indicates full-text
- Full-text online in another database the library subscribes to -- look in Electronic Journals
- In Centre's library -- look in library's online catalog for the title of the journal, not the title of the article
- Use a Research Help guide to find out what subject-specific journals are available online through Centre's library
7. Search the Web
Last updated February 9, 2010