Course research guide
ENGL 0301 - Lennie Irvin

This guide provides titles of and links to library resources that can help you with your arguments/persuasion research assignment on your topic: the Iraq War, a manned mission to Mars, or raising the minimum wage. Good luck, and let me know if you have questions or need help at any time!

Remember: online databases require a valid SAC SSN & PIN (mmyy of birth). Check the quick start guide if you have problems with access!

NOTE: A recording of this session is available here. Just scroll down to the sacelibrary.2004-11-15 entry. You can hit the play button, fast forward, pause, etc. You do need the Elluminate plug-in in order to view the recording. Please note that while only one topic is demonstrated during the recording, you can certainly apply the strategies and sources used for that topic to your own topic: finding background information, creating a search strategy grid, evaluating what you find, etc. Good luck and have fun with your research!

I. Define Topic - locate background material using reference sources

Sources labeled REF are in print and available at the SAC Library, 2nd floor reference room. You can also check your local library catalog to see if they own a copy.

II. Devise Strategy - create a flexible search plan, list key words, names, etc. You can create a search plan online and email it to your instructor!

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. Here's an example of the variety of words you could put together for a search on the Iraq War topic:

• iraq war
• iraq war and justification
• saddam hussein and WMD and missing
• iraq war and democracy and middle east
• iraq and democracy and stability and middle east
• 9/11 and iraq and link
• saddam hussein and al qaeda and link

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 (ex: democra* = democracy, democratic, democracies, 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 incorporate those subject words into your search strategy.

III. Search Sources

A. Looking for BOOKS, VIDEOS, other items?

• Catalog
• netLibrary (eBooks)
• How to check out books & eBooks

B. Looking for periodical ARTICLES?

• Academic Search Complete (all topics)
• Expanded Academic (all topics)
• Business Source Premier (economics, business)
• TOPIC search (current events, hot topics) - here are direct links to sample searches on all 3 topics:
  
  

1. Iraq War (you might want to narrow this search by adding another keyword, such as "justification" or "WMDs" etc.)
2. Mars mission
3. Minimum wage

• Newspapers (Historical NYT, Newsbank has SA Express News, Info-Trac Custom has LA Times, NY Times)
• More databases...

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.

C. Looking for free WEB SITES?

• Librarians' Index to the Internet (organized collection, great starting points, evaluated by librarian)
• Hot Topics Web Guide (organized collection by SAC Librarian John Deosdade)

IV. Evaluate and Cite your sources