Academic Support

Finding Sources for Your Topic 

                           3 Key Steps - 2 minute read

1. Your Search Topic: Background Information

• A research topic should be focused. If you are not familiar with your topic, explore a topic by consulting a reference source.

What are reference sources? Sources that provide background information on different topics.

• Examples of reference sources are: dictionaries, encyclopedias, manuals, and handbooks.
• To search for reference sources, Go to the library catalog HERE.

Catalog Filters

• You will need to use filters to narrow your results to reference sources.

• Click HERE to view screenshot instructions of how to search for reference sources in the catalog.

2. Choose Good Keywords

What are Keywords in library searching? Words that you type into a search box to locate information on a particular topic.

• When searching the library catalog do not enter your search topic in a complete sentence, instead type 1-3 keywords that describe your topic.

Tips 

• Synonyms: go to the open web and search synonyms for your terms. Sometimes, you will need to make multiple searches to decide which terms work better.
• Your keywords might be different from the words used by the library catalog; use controlled vocabulary- language used by a database to describe a topic.
• Using controlled vocabulary will result in more relevant results since you are using the language used by the database.
• View a database’ controlled vocabulary by accessing the item's details page, and looking at the Subject Terms. 

3. Search Sources by Type

Types of library sources

• Books & e-Books: provide in-depth, and background information on a topic.
• Periodicals: scholarly Journals and articles; trade publications, newspapers, and magazines.
• Scholarly Journals: provide highly specific information for scholars.
• Trade Publications: journal that provides information on a targeted discipline or industry.
• Magazines: general information for a broad audience.
• Newspapers: provide up-to-date information about national, and regional events.
• Media: electronic media that possess sound, and visual components.
• Scholarly Databases: Highly organized collections made up of different types of quality resources. Generally, scholarly databases are reviewed by professionals. Information is more reliable than information found in the open web.

Catalog filters

• You will need to use filters to search by source type.
• Click HERE to view screenshot instructions on how to search for different sources in the library catalog.

About Peer Reviewed Sources

• What is Peer Review? Journals that include articles written by experts in their field, and are reviewed by other experts in that particular field before being published. Reviewers judge the quality of the article, writing, content, research methods, and other criteria.
• Below is a handout for peer-review searching instructions.