Core 155:  The Monsters We Make 

Spring 2008

library research guide

• Ask a Librarian (email reference)
• Research Assistance Program (RAP)
• Visit the Information Desk on the 1st floor of the Library or call 208-885-6584

• Start early.
• Try library databases first, or Google Scholar, before standard Google or other web search engines
• Search your topic in the library catalog (for books) or article databases using 2-3 “key words” (search terms) not complete sentences.
• For articles, generally start with one of the multi-subject databases like Academic Premier (by Ebsco).
• If you don’t find what you need:
• Change search terms several times (even singular vs. plural can sometimes make a difference).  Watch for good search terms in the relevant items that you find.
• Change databases. There are many on the Find Articles page (http://db.lib.uidaho.edu/databases/) under the “databases by subject” pulldown menu. Click on the “Info” icon for more information about each of them.  In the Ebsco databases, you can also choose more databases, and search several at once, by clicking on the “Choose Databases” tab from a screen within the databases. Put a check on all the databases you’d like to search and then click “continue.”
• Scan your results list, look at abstracts of promising items, then revise your topic based on what you learn from searching.  Look especially for new search terms in the “subject terms” listed in the full information for books and articles.  In many databases, you can also search the subject terms by clicking on them.
• Use some advanced searching techniques:
• Truncation: Usually putting * at the end of a word allows you to search for different forms/endings.  For example, homosexual* searches homosexuals, homosexuality, etc. 
• Use parentheses and Boolean terms to combine synonyms and other concepts, e.g. (Gay or same-sex) and marriage
• Keep trying. Good researchers persist.
• Get help from a librarian (Reference Desk or Research Assistance Program).

• Get more sources than you need.  Some may turn out to be not available or not useful.
• Evaluate all sources using information from these pages: Critically Analyzing Information Sources or Applying the CRAAP Test   (The second one applies more to websites, but can be used for other sources as well). Learn about checking the author's credentials at http://www.webs.uidaho.edu/info_literacy/modules/module5/5_1.htm

To search for books or DVDs in our library, type your search terms in the box below.  If you type DVD in the box, you will mostly see DVDs in your result list.

For a tutorial on using the library catalog see http://www.webs.uidaho.edu/info_literacy/modules/module7/7_0.htm

Books are shelved using the Library of Congress classification scheme. 

The location name for UI DVDs is UI Library Audiovisual Collection.  Write down the call number and request them at the Library's Reserve Desk. 

WSU Libraries
You can borrow books from WSU’s libraries. Your Vandal Card is all you need to get a library card at WSU. The WSU online catalog is linked at the bottom of the UI Library homepage under “Other Libraries & Library Catalogs" or click here.

To see books from a worldwide selection of libraries, use WorldCat. You can order items we don't own using Interlibrary Loan (and there is a link within WorldCat to do that).

Electronic Books

Electronic books can be found in the library catalog or from the E-books page. You can use an electronic book by clicking on the lin in the "links" field found in the "brief record" screen.  Some E-books require that you set up a free account to fully use them.

Scholarly vs. Popular   (Information Literacy Tutoral section 1.3)

In the Ebsco databases, you can check a limit box to limit to scholarly journals. It reduces your results, but won't eliminate the news or editorial articles that may appear in journals.  

IMPORTANT SEARCH TIP:  If you are not getting the results you want from your search:

• Try different search terms or different combinations of terms
• Try a different database

Example of an efficient search:

• (television or media): the parentheses and OR allow you to include more terms in one search
• The * is a wildcard, so you will find teenager or teenagers
• AND requires that the concepts of oral history and gay/lesbian sexual orientation are BOTH present in the resulting articles. 
• The quotes require that the words are found as a phrase

Getting the full text of articles:

• Article Linker
  If the article in a database does not have a direct full text link, click on the link or symbol for “Article Linker” (which may be a text link such as "locate article").  ArticleLinker will help you find out if the library has the journal and/or article available either in print or online or to request a copy of the article by Interlibrary Loan.
• Magazine and Journal Title List: Search for the title of the periodical (magazine or journal) to see if we subscribe to it or have access to it in print or online.  You can find out what dates we own.

Selected Article Indexes 

Many more indexes are available at http://db.lib.uidaho.edu/databases/

You will need to properly cite your sources.  Here are some links that may be helpful:

Research and Documentation Online  Diana Hacker's guide covering citation of both print and electronic sources using APA, MLA, Chicago, or CBE. Includes sample paper in each style.

UI Library's page of Electronic Style Guides