CIS 1301: Introduction to Information Science
Purpose: To acquaint you with materials available electronically from Cornette Library and on the World Wide Web that will make it easier to do your research project.
Online materials are NOT always the best or most appropriate. However, for this computer class the purpose is to practice locating good electronic sources.
Research Process
- Research is a lifelong skill that develops with practice.
- Formal research for class is easier and more efficient if these steps are followed.
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Reference Sources
- Excellent place to start research.
- Provide background information.
- Include basic information sources like dictionaries, encyclopedias, bibliographies, chronologies, and research guides.
Subject Encyclopedias and Dictionaries
- Provide in-depth, scholarly articles, focused on a specific subject or discipline. Often include bibliographies.
- Find using a keyword search in the library catalog.
- Enter 1 or 2 words broadly describing your general subject in the first box, and leave as "Keyword Anywhere".
- Enter either encyclopedias or dictionaries in the second box, and limit to "Subject Keyword".
- Enter electronic resource in the third box, and leave as "Keyword Anywhere".
- Perform search.
- General encyclopedia available online at Bartleby.com: Columbian Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition.
- Online encyclopedias are available for SOME subjects.
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Books
- Cornette Library's Online Catalog
- Includes books, government documents, videos, journal titles, etc. available throughout the Library. Suggested searches include:
- a keyword search for your subject, such as ETHICS OF CLONING.
- the general LC subject heading CLONING MORAL AND ETHICAL ASPECTS UNITED STATES..
- the LC subject heading for a specific time and place such as UNITED STATES MARINE COMPOUND BOMBING, BEIRUT, LEBANON, 1983.
- Use "SET LIMITS" and limit to "INTERNET RESOURCES" to retrieve only items available online.
- Or use keyword netlibrary to retrieve only full-text electronic books.
- To determine the most appropriate subject headings for your search, refer to the online Library of Congress Authorities Catalog.
- netLibrary
- Full-text books, some of which are not in the library catalog.
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Journal, Magazine, & Newspaper Articles
Provide current information
- Library shelves contain more than 1500 bound and current journals.
- Microform (film or fiche) available for dozens of leading newspapers, as well as other periodicals.
- Databases index articles found in journals and magazines.
- Citation only;
- Citation and a short summary of the article (abstract);
- Full text;
- General, covering many kinds of topics, and specialized, for specific disciplines.
- Learn to tell the difference between scholarly and general interest sources.
- ALWAYS evaluate the reliability of a source before using it.
How to Access Databases
- On-campus: In the library or HELC.
- Off-campus: Login with your Buff Advisor username (for example, js123456) and your Buff Advisor password (for example, buffaloes).
- Database citations not in full-text may be located in the library catalog, or the list of online journals.
Which database?
- Power Search
- Keyword searching across multiple databases with one entry. Will NOT limit to scholarly sources, or range of dates.
- For a list of other subject specific databases, go to "Custom Search", select "Databases by Category", and then select your category from the menu.
- Academic Search Complete
- Contains abstracts and citations for a broad range of topics, with substantial full-text. Over 4,400 peer-reviewed sources.
- FullText NOW!
- Finds full-text electronic articles in the EBSCO databases Academic Search Complete, Business Source Complete, ERIC, and Health Source Nursing/Academic Edition.
- Articles from both scholarly and non-scholarly sources.
Logo
- Displays in most of our databases. Links from a citation to one or more of the following:
- One or more links to full-text of the cited article,
- A link to a pre-set search of the Cornette Library catalog for the cited item,
- A link to a pre-filled Interlibrary Loan request form for the article, or
- A link to various help options.
- For more information see the tutorial Using SFX to Link to Articles
Need Help?
- Ask at the Reference Desk (first floor) or Periodicals Desk (second floor).
- Call 651-2215 during the hours Cornette Library is open.
- Use the "Ask A Librarian" Help page to access the e-mail reference form
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Government Documents
Cornette Library collects United States federal and Texas state documents on many topics.
- Most U.S. documents published since 1994 are listed in the Cornette Library's Online Catalog.
- Or check the Monthly Catalog of United States Government PublicationsOnline via FirstSearch. (1976-present).
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Web Sites
- The World Wide Web is an excellent source of information.
- Not everything found on the Web is accurate.
- You must evaluate information on the Web.
SPECIALIZED SUBJECT
- Microsoft Office Tutorials
- Created by Florida Gulf Coast University. Covers Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and FrontPage
- Includes simple directions and multiple screenshots of successive steps.
Web Guides
- Searchable lists of annotated web sites, discussion lists, and electronic journals that have met specific selection criteria.
- Results are more focused than using a general web search engine.
- Scout Report Archives
- Scholarly. Keyword or advanced search. Results listed by relevance.
- INFOMINE Scholarly Internet Resource Collections
- Scholarly. Keyword search or browse by general subject area. Can limit to free sites.
- Librarians' Index to the Internet
- General public interest. Keyword search, or browse by general topic and subtopic.
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Citing Your Sources
Why must I cite the sources I use for research projects?
- To give credit to the author of the information you use.
- To avoid plagiarism (WTAMU Code of Student Life: Appendix I-Academic Integrity Code). Plagiarism is a serious offense that can result in a failing grade or worse!
- So that others can verify the information.
- To assist others in doing their own research.
CITATION STYLE
- Your instructor is requiring you to use either the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (MLA) or the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA).
- Copies of the most recent editions of these manuals are located at the Reference Desk.
- Additional assistance is available from our Citation Basics web page.
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Your Comments
- Suggestions for improvements?
- Particularly helpful items?
- Please email Mary Jarvis.
Thank you.
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