Image of Library Research Process Paradigm
San Antonio College Library Instruction
Course: ENGL 0300
Professor: Liz Aguilar

PART 1 - DEFINE TOPIC
Background sources such as encyclopedias and other reference tools can assist you in defining, developing and narrowing your research topic. Here are a few subject specific sources that can help you get started by answering the background questions Where? When? Who? Why? and How? for your topic:

Location & LC Call No.~~~~~~~~~ Reference Source Title~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ref  GT2850 .E53 Encyclopedia of food and culture
Ref  GR111 .M49 C37 
Chicano folklore : a guide to the folktales, traditions, rituals and religious practices of Mexican Americans
SAC Library > Articles & Ref > Ref CQ Researcher, Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center

PART 2 - DEVISE STRATEGY
Before getting online to search sources, take a few minutes to create a flexible, efficient search strategy.


Research question(s) or statement(s): ___________________________________________________________

A. Basic Keyword search - main keywords/phrases go across (AND), synonyms go down (OR).
 
 
and
  
and
  
or
  
or
  
or
 
and
  
and
  
or
  
or
  
or
 
and
  
and
 ~

B. Advanced Keyword search - you can also tell databases to find phrases, pick up various endings of a word (truncation) and even exclude a word from your search. Always read the hints, tips, or help of an online search tool to find out how!

So...what's the difference between KEYWORD v. SUBJECT searching?

Hey! You can combine Keyword & Subject searching for better search results!

1. Use basic KEYWORD searching to find a couple of items that fit your topic.
2. Take a look at the SUBJECT HEADINGS listed for these items and use them to do SUBJECT searching

PART 3 - SEARCH SOURCES
All sources listed below are linked from the SAC Library  @ http://www.accd.edu/sac/library/


A.   Looking for BOOKS or Media?  > http://library.accd.edu/
 

Ex. Subject heading search freedom of information  |  tattooing--social aspects  |  sexual orientation
Ex. Keyword search death penalty and effective  |  alcohol* and (teen* or adolescent*)  |  advert* and women

B.   Looking for periodical ARTICLES or Reference?  > http://www.accd.edu/sac/library/links/databs.htm

Subject Area~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Database Name~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
General Academic Search Complete, General Reference Center Gold
Social Issues & Social Sciences Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection, Sociology Collection
Newspapers
 Historical Newspapers: NYT, Newsbank (SA-Express News)


The SAC Library pays a subscription to many databases via the Web which provide citations, short descriptions, and/or the full-text of newspaper/magazine/journal articles. Off-campus access requires your SSN and PIN.

If the full-text of the article isn't available online, see: SAC Library  >  Journals by Title - just type in the periodical title to see if SAC Library owns a paper copy or if another database offers full-text.


C.   Looking for FREE World Wide Web sources?  >  Web Guides!

Listed below are a few evaluated and recommended Web sites to get you started:
 

Recommended Web Site~~~~~~ URL Addresses~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Controversial Issues / SAC Library http://www.accd.edu/sac/library/susan/controv.htm
Hot Topics / SAC Library http://www.accd.edu/sac/library/faculty/deosdade/hottopic.htm
Urban Legends Research Centre http://www.ulrc.com.au/
Snopes - urban legends debunking!
 http://www.snopes.com


Evaluating your sources - http://www.accd.edu/sac/library/faculty/dearmond/distance/evaluate.htm
Citing your online sources - http://www.accd.edu/sac/library/faculty/dearmond/distance/evaluate.htm (library databases = "Subscription Service")
URL: http://www.accd.edu/sac/library/faculty/dearmond/ENGL1302Perry.htm
Page created: 2004 Updated: September 21, 2004
© 2004 Celita DeArmond ~ Reference & Distance Learning Librarian
San Antonio College Library Learning Resource Center
1001 Howard St. * San Antonio, TX 78212 * 210-785-6366 * celitadearmond@gmail.com