The purpose of this course research guide is to acquaint you with some of the resources in the University Library and on the World Wide Web useful for research on your position paper topic. Should you have questions, stop by the Reference Desk on the first floor. You may also call the Reference Desk at (334) 229-4110 during the hours the Library is open.

Reference Sources

Sources in the Library's Reference Collection and similar sources online can help you find brief factual information quickly. Be sure to browse the shelves near the sources listed below to find others.

• Encyclopedia of American Education
  Main Reference: LB 17 .U54 2001
• Educational Media and Technology Yearbook
  Main Reference: LB 1028.3 .E38

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Journal Articles

The best method for finding journal articles is to use one of the Library's online article databases. For additional information on the databases listed below and for others, explore our list of databases. Our databases are easily accessible off campus by clicking on the database name and typing in the information requested. If you need additional assistance with accessing the databases, contact Cedric Davis at (334) 229-6998.

Education Databases

• ERIC (ASU)
• Professional Collection (ASU)
• Professional Development Collection (ASU)
• SPORTDiscus (ASU)
• Wilson Education Full Text (ASU)

Additional Databases

• Academic Search Premier (ASU)
• Emerald (ASU)
• InfoTrac OneFile
• PsycINFO (ASU)
• Wiley InterScience (ASU)

Not all of our databases provide access to the entire text of articles. If the text of an article is not available in a database, check for the journal title in:

• Serials Solutions (ASU) - to determine if the article is available in another online database.
  Serials Solutions does not include Wilson Education Full Text, so be sure to check this database separately.
• HORNetCat - lists journals to which the Library subscribes. Journals are housed in the Serials Department on the third floor.
• Interlibrary Loan - order those articles not available in the Library or via a full-text database.

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ERIC Documents

The ERIC Document collection includes a variety of items such as curriculum materials, reports, lesson plans, conference papers, and much more pertaining to education. These are arranged by clearinghouses, which specialize in specific areas of education. ERIC documents are located on the Library's third floor in the ERIC microfiche cabinets. Many ERIC documents dating from 1993 to the present are full text through the EDRS database.

• EDRS: ERIC Document Reproduction Service (ASU)
• ERIC (ASU) (AVL)

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Government Information

Federal and state governments publish a plethora of information on education-related topics.

Finding Federal Government Information

• United States Government Manual
  Main Reference Desk: JK 421 .A3
  online
• GPO Monthly Catalog (ASU)
• GPO Access
• U.S. Department of Education
• The Condition of Education
• The Educator's Reference Desk
• National Library of Education

Government Statistics

• Education Statistics of the United States
  Main Reference: LB 2846 .E38
• The The National Center PortalPortalfor Education Statistics
• Social Statistics Briefing Room: Education

Alabama Government Information

• Alabama.gov
• Alabama Department of Education

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Citing Your Sources

You will use the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association to cite your sources. A copy of the Manual is available at the Reference Desk on the first floor of the Library. Additional assistance with citing electronic publications is available from the APA online site and from Citation Machine, an interactive Web tool.

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Your Comments

Please take a few minutes to let us know what you think about this guide. Has it helped with your research? Do you have any suggestions for improving the guide? You may e-mail Marsha Taylor (mvtaylor@alasu.edu) or call her at (334) 229-6839 with your comments and suggestions.

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