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RESEARCH TUTORIAL CONTENTS
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Finding Reference Books | Reference
Databases
Before delving into your research, it's a good idea to get some
background information on your topic. A good place to start is the
library's reference collection, which is located on the main floor
of the library. The reference collection contains dictionaries,
general encyclopedias, specialized encyclopedias, atlases, handbooks
and more. Reference books include specialized subject encyclopedias.
These can help by:
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Providing ideas for a topic. |
|
Providing a good overview of your
topic |
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Highlighting key issues to consider
in your research |
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Help you identify questions to address
in your research |
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Familiarize you with key names, terminology
and events |
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Point you towards other sources of
information, usually listed in a bibliograpy |
Finding a Reference Books
There are several ways to locate a reference book on your topic.
| 1. |
Ask a librarian |
| 2. |
Search the library catalog, limiting the location
to North Reference. Click here
to see how |
| 3. |
Browse the reference collection by call numbers
related to your topic. You can refer to the Library
of Congress Classification Outline to see what call numbers
to browse. |
Reference Databases
In addition to books in reference collection, the library subscribes
to several reference databases. Here is a list of these, which may
be searched from off campus, using your last name and student ID.
They are also available on the library's
web site.
Access
Science
Access Science is an online encyclopedia for science
and technology. |
ARTstor
ARTstor contains approximately 300,000 images of art,
architecture and archeology from a wide range of cultures and
time periods. |
Britannica.com
Britannica.com is the online version of the Encyclopaedia
Britannica. |
CQ
Electronic Library
CQ Researcher focuses on social issues; topics include public
policy, public opinion, economics, education, environment, government,
law, and medicine. |
Contemporary
Authors
Afull-text database providing information on modern writers,
including authors, poets and playwrights. |
Contemporary
Literary Criticism
Provides a collection of critical essays on contemporary authors.
Each CLC--Select entry contains a biographical/critical introduction,
listing of principal works and sources for further study. |
CultureGrams
Provides cultural and other information on countries including
customs, greetings, lifestyles, government, economy, etc. |
History
Resource Center: U.S.
History Resource Center: U.S. provides access to historical
(primary) documents, reference articles, and full-text journals
covering themes, events, individuals and periods in U.S. history
from pre-Colonial times to the present. |
Opposing
Viewpoints Resource Center
Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center is a database covering social
issues, such as gun control, genetic engineering, censorship,
endangered species, and terrorism. |
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