Objectives for First Year Students

First Year Students will understand how to...

• navigate the library's website

• wield reference sources to help refine a broad topic and to identify important keywords and synonyms related to that topic

• use the library catalog to discover books and media on their research topic

• identify and employ appropriate subject-specific academic databases and other tools for researching their topic

• construct effective database searches using Boolean logic, nesting, truncation, and field searching

• locate the full text of books, articles, and other discovered sources based on the citation information

• appreciate the distinct characteristics and advantages of various publication types and how information flows through them chronologically

• evaluate resources for authority, accuracy, timeliness, relevance, and purpose

• seek research help from librarians with an awareness of the ease, safety, and benefits of doing so

This guide is intended to help you locate sources needed for your context presentations and research-based argument paper.  The tabs across the top of the page will help you explore the various types of sources.  If you need help with your research, contact me using the information to the right.  Enjoy!  --Mary