Library Research Strategy: A Basic Introduction
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Books
Use GALILEO, our online catalog, to find books on a particular subject, or whose author and/or title you know. Follow the easy on-screen instructions and use the examples given for guides. To locate the books in our library, note the location (ASRS, Government Documents, Media, Reference Area, Stacks), find the first letter of the call number of the book on a map of the Christopher Center, and go to that area of the building.The Christopher Center uses the Library of Congress (LC) system to organize its materials. This differs from the system used by most school and public libraries (the Dewey Decimal system). If you'd like to know more about the LC system, look at the user guide, Call Numbers: How to Find Library Materials. This call number system is in use in the Reference Area as well as in our general stacks (aka: bookshelves).
In addition to using encyclopedias and other reference materials to gain background information on your topic, use other reference resources for topic ideas, general overviews of your topic, and as sources for specific information. For more information, check out Quick Tips: Searching for Books.
Journal, Magazine, and Newspaper Articles
Article Indexes & Databases
Use indexes & databases to locate articles in journals, magazines, and newspapers; many will also provide access to conference proceedings, dissertations, other resources. Some indexes and databases will provide the full-text of articles online; others offer only a citation and/or abstract of the article. Your first move is to search a chosen index or database. General ones, such as Academic Search Elite, LexisNexis Academic, and Expanded Academic, support a broad range of topics and offer a great deal of full-text. Access them from here by clicking on the bold letters of each name. Once on that page, you'll choose from the alphabetical listings. Second, if the database you're using doesn't provide the full-text of an article, check JournaLocator to see if it is available online in another database or in the library's in-house collection. If in Christopher Center, the GALILEO record will give you the location information. If not available through these options, make use of Interlibrary Loan. Still wondering what to do? Go to Quick Tips: Searching for Articles.
Government Documents
You also have access to the United States and Indiana State government documents that are collected by the Christopher Center in print and microform formats. Search GALILEO for the call numbers/location of the materials. For further information, refer to the Government Documents handout and/or ask a library staff member for assistance.The Christopher Center's Government Information webpage provides a well-categorized, extensive listing of local, state, national, and international resources found on the Internet.
Library Research Strategy: An Basic IntroductionWhat is the topic
you are interested in? _____________________________________________________________________
What other terms
also describe your subject? ________________________________________________________________
Use these terms for Keyword searches in GALILEO and in electronic databases.Finding Books
Use the "Books" section above for searching details and information. Find one useful reference book for background information. Tip: the location should say "CLR-Reference-2nd Floor."
Title and author: __________________________________________________________________
Call Number: ________________________________________________________________________Find one useful book on this subject. Tip: the location should say "CLR-Stacks-Floors 3 & 4."
Title and author: ___________________________________________________________________
Call Number: _________________________________________________________________________Use a library map to locate these items within Christopher Center.
Finding Journal and Magazine ArticlesUse the "Journal, Magazine, and Newspaper Articles" section above for searching details and information.
Tip: Use keywords that you've listed at the top of this strategy page.Article Citation:
A citation is the full bibliographic information about the article. This information helps you find the article in a periodical in the library. The citation includes author, article title, periodical title, volume and issue numbers, and page numbers.
Article author: _______________________________________________________________________
Article title: _________________________________________________________________________
Journal/Magazine title: ________________________________________________________________
Volume # __________ Issue # ____________ Date _________________ Page #s _________
Do the Valparaiso University Libraries have this journal/magazine? __________Tip: If the article citation doesn't offer full-text, check JournaLocator to determine if the article is available online in another database or in Christopher Center's in-house collection. If in the building, the GALILEO record will give you the location information. If not available through these options, make use of Interlibrary Loan.
Where in Valparaiso University Libraries is it located? (Christopher Center or Law, in their Stacks, Reference, Documents, Reserve, and so on)
Location: ___________________________ Call Number: _______________________________