IDIS 380 Library Research Guide

1 The research process

Scholarly communication is a conversation among peers.
Some "standard terminology" of the research world:
citation; abstract; peer-reviewed;
serial (usually a journal, but not always);
ISSN; database; descriptors; bibliography
2 Starting your own research

Plan and Browse

Building a research question
Developing a hypothesis

Research Rescue and Library user's manual

for search tips

Library Online Reference Shelf

see especially Michigan Electronic Library (MEL) subject categories

Find Articles
CORE Articles in searchable databases; recommended Web sites

Reference materials--in print and online

Location of journals:
McIntyre Periodicals List is searchable by keyword/phrase

Practice Searching

Depending on the aspect of your topic, to begin, try     
Academic Search Elite
(multidisciplinary; good mix of scholarly journals and other types of periodicals;
can limit to scholarly "peer reviewed journals)

Use the thesaurus or "index" of subjects to focus and refine your searches regardless of which database you choose

Don"t overlook the library online catalog
and your ability using the online catalog to quickly borrow items from other UW libraries

Use CITATION LINKER to locate journal articles from bibliographies
when you know the title of an article in a journal or magazine

Web of Science index Best for last! Takes some practice, but it's worth it!

3 Government Information
McIntyre is a Federal & WI depository library: you get collections / services / links / assistance     

 4 Librarians will help!     Reference desk:  836.3858  library.reference@uwec.edu  reference hours
UW Eau Claire HomePagethis page: http://www.uwec.edu/library/research/courses.htm
updated: 11/02/2006  Karen  popekj@uwec.edu