Sample University

Guided Session:Information Literacy

Learning Resources Centers

Books Magazines Electronic Books

Journals Databases Online Resources

TutorialsIndividualized Research Assistance

And much more…

APA: Quick Overview & Resources

APA Resources: • 2 copies of APA manual on reserve in LRC• Purdue University OWL Site (linked on LRC

page):– Fantastic reference for ALL things APA, including

great search feature, How-To tutorials and samples, and lots of tips and tricks!

• LRC Website APA Guidelines and Resources– Found in the “APA Style & Usage” section of

iCampus LRC page

•Identify your information need: What is your research question? What is the scope of your assignment? Identify

•Recognize the differences between information sources in terms of scope, accuracy, and authority. What resource or types of resources will help you meet your information needs?Recognize

•Develop a search strategy to fulfill your information need. Which techniques, terms, and topologies will help you discover the best resources? Develop

•Assess the value, quality, and integrity of information. Can you tell if the source is trustworthy, well-supported, and current? Assess

•Utilize resources effectively, ethically and legally. How do you use the resources available to you? How do you give proper credit to the sources you cite?Utilize

•Incorporate new information into an existing knowledge or value base. How does the source contribute to your understanding of a topic or field? How might it influence further research?Incorporate

Developing a Search Strategy

Developing a Search Strategy

• First, consult introductory sources (subject dictionaries, encyclopedias, etc.)

-FOR THIS STEP Google can be helpful to better understand a topic, but NOT to find a source-

• Limit results by adding more search terms, publication type, date range, etc.

• Combine search types to improve results

• Use newly refined search in larger, trustworthy databases (EBSCOHost, etc.)

Google vs Academic Databases

Quick Search Tips

Use Quotation Marks:

• The search Code of Conduct looks for documents where all three words appear somewhere inside.

• The search “Code of Conduct” looks for articles with that exact phrase—much more accurate!

Boolean Operators: These work for almost all databases and search

environments (including search engines like Google).

Learning Resources Centers

Databases

eLibraryOther good starting points for developing your search

(gathering ideas)…

• Britannica Online• Credo Reference• Internet Public Library• ProQuest National Newspapers

-All are linked from databases page-

New Single-Search Service:EBSCO Discovery Service

(EDS))

Searches the major subscription databases with ONE simple search

bar

HELPFUL TIP!!!Create an EBSCO Account!

• Free to create an account—stays with you the whole time you are enrolled

• Sign-in when doing your research• Allows you, with one click on the ‘Add to Folder”

icon for any EBSCO article, to quickly separate the good form the bad—relevant from the irrelevant

• Saves enormous amounts of time reviewing articles

• Did I mention it was free?

Library Resources & Search Strategies

Most important tip of all,

when in doubt…

ASK!