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Home › Library › Research › Finding Resources

Finding Resources

BOOKS ARTICLES WEBSITES Where do I start to find information? Of course, that depends on your assignment. However, if you are conducting any type of serious scholarly inquiry (e.g. when your professor requires that you locate scholarly sources to support your thesis), then you will probably, almost certainly, save time...
 
BOOKS  ♦  ARTICLES  ♦  WEBSITES
 
Where do I start to find information?
Of course, that depends on your assignment.  However, if you are conducting any type of serious scholarly inquiry (e.g. when your professor requires that you locate scholarly sources to support your thesis), then you will probably, almost certainly, save time by starting with the library's resources.
 
Remember those key terms/concepts you developed in the "Choosing a Topic" module?  Now is when these terms will come in handy.  Why? Because library resources do not return the best results if you search them using natural language.  For example, if you enter into the library's databases, "why does The Sopranos portray Italian Americans as [fat, criminal, pasta lovers ... i.e. insert a stereotype here]" -- you will likely retrieve zero results.
 
Combine your search terms with BOOLEAN OPERATORS (AND/OR/NOT) and incorporate other limiters to get the best results.  (Also see: Boolean video demo)  
 
 

The library's "Research" page is highly recommended as your starting point for finding information to support any research assignment!

books_2To locate BOOKS for your assignment...

 Start by searching the library's CATALOG
 
"ADD LIMITS" to your search to review the collections of all PALS libraries (Guilford, Greensboro, and Bennett Colleges)
 
You can place a request for PALS library books to be sent to Salem by using the "Place a Request" feature within the catalog
 
Salem's online book collections will help you obtain immediate full text access to select titles. 
    Extend your search using WorldCat to identify works in the collections of libraries in the U.S. and other countries.  
    Use Interlibrary Loan (ILL) services to obtain the most relevant resources identified via WorldCat.  Please bear in mind, most libraries will not lend archival materials (i.e. rare books, other special collections) and very few libraries lend videos.  ILL items may take (10) days to arrive, although delivery times vary.

        Return to TOP

      To locate ARTICLES for your assignment...


      Make the library's DATABASES your first stop for finding relevant information from periodicals (e.g. journals, magazines, newspapers)
      Choose the appropriate SUBJECT listing of databases to identify the most relevant resources for a particular discipline; note that pertinent Web sites are listed; the most recommended database(s) for the discipline are marked with an asterisk.
        HINT: Keep in mind that every database contains different content! 

        A good rule of thumb is to search several databases.
         
        Did you find a citation to a good article, but not the full text?  Try SFX!  SFX  identifies Salem's full text holdings (print/online) for specific periodical titles.
           
           

          To locate reliable WEBSITES for your assignment...

          The first question to ask yourself is, how do I know that a website is reliable?  Look for these basic indicators: AUTHORITY - TIMELINESS - CURRENCY - OBJECTIVITY...as explained below:

          1.  Who is the author/sponsoring organization?  What are their qualifications?  Do they provide contact information?

          2.  How current is the information on website?  Is it updated frequently and are the links working?

          3.  What is the site's purpose?  Does it document sources used - i.e. provide a bibliography?

          4.  How objective is the site? Does it try to persuade or promote a particular agenda or product?

          For more in-depth discussion about evaluating websites, see here OR here. 

          Now that you armed with the basics for evaluating website content, use the following resources to get started.  

          Choose the appropriate SUBJECT listing of databases to identify the most relevant website resources for a particular discipline -- websites are listed near the bottom of these pages.  These sites have either been carefully selected by librarians or identified by your professors as being useful for your research. 

          Carefully selected Internet directories can also guide you to pertinent web resources.  The following are recommended: Virtual Reference Shelf, Librarians' Index to the Internet and InfoMine.

             

            For further assistance: ASK A LIBRARIAN

             

            GO TO NEXT MODULE → SCHOLARLY VS. POPULAR