Online Guide to Library Research

MAIN INDEX

HOW DO I BEGIN MY RESEARCH?

WHAT IS MY RESEARCH STRATEGY?

WHERE DO I FIND INFORMATION?

HOW DO I EVALUATE THE INFORMATION I'VE FOUND?

HOW DO I CITE THE SOURCES I'VE USED?

WHERE CAN I GO FOR HELP?

HOW DO I BEGIN MY RESEARCH?

KNOW YOUR ASSIGNMENT:
- What is the intent of the assignment?How long should the paper or project be? How much time is allocated?
- Questions about your assignment? Ask your instructor.
SELECT A TOPIC:
- Choose a topic that is of interest to you.
- Survey your topic to get the overall picture. This will help you decide on a focus, familiarize yourself with key terms, people associated with the topic.
- Determine the general call numbers for books on your subject, using the Library of Congress Classification System. Handouts are available in the Library or see the Library of Congress Classification System summary on this web page.
- Look in Reference Books on the second floor of the library, under these call numbers for more background information and ideas for research topics.
- Based on your preliminary research, write your preliminary research question or thesis statement.
MAKE YOUR TOPIC MORE MANAGEABLE - by answering these questions:
- What is the time period of your research?
  For example, the last two years, the 1990s, a comparison of the 1960s and the 1990s, the eighteenth century, etc. What is the geographic location of your research?
  For example, the United States, New York State, Niagara County, etc.
- What aspect of your topic will you focus on?
  For example, social, psychological, legal, medical, economic aspects, etc.
REWRITE YOUR RESEARCH QUESTION OR THESIS STATEMENT to reflect your specific focus.

Return to Main Index

Library of Congress Classification System

A General Works; General Encyclopedias
B - BD Philosophy
BF Psychology
BH - BX Religion, Ethics
C - D Collective Biographies, World History
E - F American History; Local History
G - GC Geography, Oceanography
GE - GR Anthropology
GV Physical Education, Sports, Dance
H Social Sciences, Business
J Political Science
K Law
L Education
M Music
N Fine Arts
P - PZ Language and Literature
QA Math, Computer Science
QB - QH Physical Sciences, Chemistry, Physics
QK - QR Biology, Botany, Zoology, Anatomy, Physiology
R Medicine, Nursing
S Agriculture
T Technology
U - V Military and Naval Science
Z Information Science

WHAT IS MY RESEARCH STRATEGY?

1. Identify the keywords in your specific research question. Also think of a few synonyms for these words. These are the terms you will use to search for information.

2. Decide what types of information you will need, such as:

Current information
Historical information
Biographical
Literary criticism
Statistics
Government information
Information on companies
Research reports
Opinions or viewpoints

3. Determine what types of sources you are likely to find this information in:

BOOKS
PERIODICAL ARTICLES
- Magazine articles? - These are written for the general public; usually a few pages long, different formats, non technical vocabulary, often include pictures, photographs, etc. Some examples of magazines are:
  - Newsweek
  - Sports Illustrated
  - Science News
  - Psychology Today
- Journal or scholarly articles? - These are written by professionals in a field, for other professionals, teachers, students, etc., use more technical vocabulary, usually long, mostly all text, often includes a list of references at end. If a research article, will follow set guidelines. Examples of journals are:
  - Journal of Marriage and the Family
  - Child Development
  - New England Journal of Medicine
  - Science
MEDIA
- DVDs
- Videos
- Compact Discs

INTERNET SITES

RETURN to Main Index

WHERE DO I FIND INFORMATION?

Look in REFERENCE BOOKS
- Where? - 2nd (main) floor of the library
- To Find: background information, definitions, theories, statistics, general facts, etc.
Search the Library Catalog
- To Find: more in-depth information on your subject.
- You can also locate videos, sound recordings, relevant Web sites and other media in the Library Catalog.
Search GENERAL PERIODICAL INDEXES
- To Find: magazine and newspaper articles.
- Usually focus on general subjects.
- Provide the most current information
- You can also find book, movie and music reviews
- These GENERAL PERIODICAL INDEXES CAN BE FOUND ON THE Library Home Page under Periodical indexes/Databases. These include the following and can be accessed from on or off campus:
  - Academic OneFile - Millions of full-text articles, many with images. Updated daily.
  - JSTOR - Complete archives of a set of core scholarly journals. Current issues are not included so there may be a 2-5 year gap between what is published and the latest issue in JSTOR.
  - Opposing Viewpoints - Information on the pros and cons of a wide range of social issues.
Search specialized SUBJECT INDEXES also found on the Library Home Page under Periodical Indexes/Databases. These can be accessed from on- or off-campus.
LOCATE YOUR ARTICLES.
- If your article is available full text - print it out or you can e-mail it to yourself.
- If the article is not full text - print or copy the citation -periodical title, article title, date of publication.
- Look in the booklet Periodicals in the Henrietta G. Lewis Library(available throughout the library) under the periodical title. This booklet lists all magazines, journals and newspapers available in the Library, the years that each one is available and the format:
- SEARCH THE INTERNET for more information.
  To save time and search more efficiently -- start your search at Selected Internet Resources-an annotated list of suggested WEB sites arranged by subject.
- Any Questions? ASK A REFERENCE LIBRARIAN.

Return to Main Index

HOW DO I EVALUATE THE INFORMATION I'VE FOUND?

Once you have found information on your topic, ask yourself these questions:

Are my sources appropriate for my assignment?
Who is the author? Is he or she an authority on the topic?
Is more than one viewpoint or opinion given? If only one point-of-view is presented, do I need additional sources?
When and where was the source published? Is the information up-to-date?
Do I need more information?
NOTE: Internet sources require additional evaluation. CLICK HERE for tips on evaluating Web sources.

RETURN TO MAIN INDEX

HOW DO I CITE THE SOURCES I'VE USED?

WHY CITE ?

When writing a research paper, anytime you use another's words or ideas, you must indicate where you found this information. Using someone else's exact words or rewording their ideas in your paper, without providing the original source is considered plagiarism. This applies to both printed and electronic forms of information. An explanation of plagiarism can be found in the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, (REF LB 2369.G53) in section 1.7. If you have any questions about what should be cited, ask your instructor or a Reference Librarian.

There are a number of different citation styles. The two styles commonly used at NCCC include the MLA Style, issued by the Modern Language Association, and APA Style from the American Psychological Association. Your instructor will indicate which format you are to use.

Consult these websites for more specific information:

IF YOU NEED HELP, TALK TO A REFERENCE LIBRARIAN. Click on HELP for more information on Reference Services at the Henrietta G. Lewis Library.

Return to Main Index