Library Research Library research is an important part of research. You can often find scholarly journal articles or books at a college/university library.

Library Research

Library ResearchLibrary research is an important part of

research. You can often find scholarly journal articles or books at a college/university library.

A few definitions before we start . . .

Card catalog – the library’s holdings in the physical building (this term is out of date because everything is digitized, but we still use it).

Journal – an academic “magazine” of sorts; full of articles written by experts in the field; may be published annually, bi-annually, etc.

Database – a collection (in our case, an online collection of scholarly articles, books, etc.)

Using the card catalog

The library’s online card catalog allows you to search our library’s holdings.

You can search the catalog from home.

The following slides show you how to find the library’s card catalog.

Finding the card catalog

First, find BC’s web site at www.brazosport.edu.

THE FOLLOW SLIDES CONTAIN SCREEN SHOTS AND DIRECTIONS FOR USING THE LIBRARY’S CARD CATALOG. IF THIS IS DIFFICULT FOR YOU TO

UNDERSTAND, THERE IS ALSO A VIDEO IN THIS UNIT THAT CONTAINS DIRECTIONS FOR THE SAME

PROCESS.

WARNING: DON’T MISS THE JOURNAL ASSIGNMENT AT THE END OF THIS PRESENTATION.

NOTE


Now, go to the “Quick Links” pull-down menu and select “Library.”


Click “search card catalog.”


This is what the card catalog looks like.


Notice that you can choose a search preference. Searching under “general keyword” is often helpful.


Let’s search for “smoking.”


Here are the results from my search.


If I click on the first result, I learn that this book is “checked in” (in the library).

I also find the call number where I can locate the book inside the library.

See the next slide.

Finding the databases

Our library has other materials for your use as well. Besides items IN the library, you can access thousands of web books, journal articles and other materials through the online databases.

Let me show you how to find the databases . . .


From the library’s web page, select “online research.”


Here are the database listings. Notice that the databases are grouped by field of interest.


Notice that if you’re at home, you’ll select “off campus.”

A note about databases

If you find an interesting article but it isn’t available in full text, remember that, through interlibrary loan, our library should be able to find it for you.

Check with our library—the staff is knowledgeable and very helpful.

Journal activity

Ready for a little practice? 1. Using the library’s online card catalog, find a

book on child psychology.

2. Using the Academic Search Complete database, find an article on chemical warfare.

3. Using the Houston Chronicle database, find an article that mentions Hillary Clinton.

4. Using the Handbook of Texas database, find the year in which Texas lawmakers instituted the Texas Rangers (not the sports team!).

Library Research Library research is an important part of research. You can often find scholarly journal articles or books at a college/university library.

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