Course research guide
quality of life issues

What are quality of life issues? Who is involved? What are they about? Why are they important to us? This research guide lists library sources that can help you with your research. Also: a Search Sheet (Word doc) to help you keep track of your research. Have fun with your search, and let me know if you have questions or need help at any time!

I. Define Topic - reference sources in section III. below can help you with this part!

What topic are you researching?

List what you know about your topic -- who, what, when, where, why, and how:

What would you like to find out about your topic? What questions do you have? What are your learning issues?

II. Devise Strategy - create a flexible search plan, list key words/names

If you're researching a particular quality of life issue, then you need to list as many synonyms and related key words as possible. Use the list of words to create multiple combinations with the word AND in order to have a successful search:

• quality of life, happiness, freedom, human rights, motivation, mobility
• health, mental health, nutrition, education, food, therapy, privacy, environment, technology, immigration
• united states, iraq, america, middle east, texas, san antonio, baghdad, southwest

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

• Keyword search = to combine key words or for more specific search; finds items that contain your keywords
• Subject search = for broad search or when you know terminology; finds items that are about that topic

TIPS:

• Use symbols such as the * at the end of key words to pick up alternate endings. (health* = health, healthy, healthcare etc.)
• Use keyword and subject searching together: start with a keyword search, find an item that's relevant, then look for subject headings within item descriptions and work those subject words into your search strategy.
  

III. Search Sources

A. REFERENCE sources - Looking for background information or facts?

Online databases require a login from off-campus.You can get login info HERE. (What does the login page look like?)

Online databases	Screen captures - clickable!
CQ Researcher Provides in-depth reports on social and political issues!
Opposing Viewpoints Access a variety of sources: viewpoints, reference, articles on a wide range of controversial issues. Search by broad subject, specific keyword, or look in the entire document for your words.
Facts.com Contains a tab for Issues & Controversies, Science Today, World Almanac, and more.

B. BOOKS, VIDEOS, other items - Looking for in-depth information?

QuickSearch Books & Media (Catalog)

By: Keyword Title Author Subject Call Number Search for:

• Remember the old timey Card Catalog? There were 3 ways you could search it: Author, Title, SUBJECT
• With the online Catalog, start with a Keyword, then look for Subject headings.

A few Subject headings (just copy & paste into box!) you can use to search By Subject:

food habits food preferences fast food junk food natural foods convenience foods food industry and trade surgery, plastic beauty, personal privacy, right of civil rights--united states library surveillance electronic surveillance patriot act war on terrorism cancer in women genital cancer women--health and hygiene women--diseases spirituality mental health counseling health behavior health--social aspects public health--united states democracy--middle east middle east--foreign relations iraq war

poverty hunger nutrition policy food supply biodiversity global warming nature--effect of human beings on human ecology abortion abortion--united states alternative medicine music therapy music--physiological effect united states--emigration and immigration immigrants immigrants--united states technology--social aspects information society globalization--political aspects globalization--social aspects information technology technological innovations information technology--social aspects internet--social aspects teachers--training teachers--recruiting male elementary school teachers

• NetLibrary (eBooks)
• How to check out books & eBooks

C. ARTICLES - Looking for current information or need to highlight a specific issue?

Online databases require a login from off-campus.You can get login info HERE. (What does the login page look like?)

• Academic Search Complete - articles on all topics from magazines, journals, newspapers.
  
  
  
  
• Health & Wellness Resource Center - Limit to full-text articles for a specific topic, or browse encyclopedias for background info. Also, try a search for articles in the other health related databases.
  
  
  
  
• NewsBank - search the Express-News, Texas Newspapers, or World newspapers for regional info on edu issues
  
  
  
  
  
• More databases by broad subject area, such as health, business, etc...

NOTE: If the full-text of the article isn't available online use the Journal Locator. Just type in the periodical title to see if SAC Library owns a paper copy or if another database offers full-text.

D. FREE WEB SITES

• Hot Topics Web Guide - by John Deosdade, SAC Librarian
• Other Web Guides by Topic - collected and organized by SAC Librarians

IV. Evaluate and Cite your sources