Before you search for articles in the library, review your assignment to see what kind of information you need. Does your assignment require you to use peer-reviewed articles? Can you use information from magazine or newspaper articles?
Our databases have many different types of articles from different sources, so knowing what information sources are acceptable for your research paper or project will save you time.
In our databases you will find the following types of articles: Chose the links below to learn more about the characteristics of these types of articles.
Need a book? Visit the Finding Books guide (the library has thousands of print and electronic books (you can view them right from your computer or mobile device).
After you have identified the type of information sources you need, you are ready for Step 2: Choosing the Right Database.
Once you know what types of articles you need, you can decide which database is best for the information you need. The library subscribes to over 100 databases, so choosing the right one can save you time.
For this step to be successful, you need to know your information needs (Step 1) and you need to select a database to use (Step 2), then, you need to have a general idea of your topic so you can create a search strategy. This step takes some time and is cyclical, which means you may repeat this step several times during your research process. As you discover new information, your search strategy is likely to change, which is okay. It is part of the research process.
Find an article or book you want, but, it's not available at the library or in full-text?
You can request articles and books for free using our Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service.
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