Reference Sources | CQ Researcher | Magazine, Journal, & Newspaper Articles | Books | Citing Your Sources
Your Comments

The purpose of this course research guide is to acquaint you with some of the resources in the University Library useful for doing research on your 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 are a great place to start your research. They'll provide background information on your topic and can help you find brief factual information quickly.

As you explore these sources, write down words that describe your topic. You'll be able to use these later when you search for articles and books. Also write down the names of people and organizations related to your topic.

Encyclopedias

General encyclopedias look at many different subject areas. You've probably used this type of encyclopedia for research projects before and may even have one, for example the World Book, at home. Several general encyclopedias are located in the Reference area on the first floor. You might also want to try an online encyclopedia like:

• Encyclopaedia Britannica Online (ASU)

Subject encyclopedias focus on specific subject areas. Below are a few examples of these encyclopedias. Ask at the Main Reference Desk on the first floor for assistance with finding a subject encyclopedia that is appropriate for your paper topic.

• Encyclopedia of Smoking and Tobacco
  Main Reference: HV 5760 .H57 1999
• Women's Issues
  Main Reference: HQ 1115. W66 1997
• Encyclopedia of Science and Technology
  Available in the Access Science (ASU) database.
• The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
  Click on Medical Encyclopedia in the Health & Wellness Resource Center (ASU) database.

CQ Researcher

Each CQ Researcher (ASU) report focuses on a single topic related to social, economic, political, health, or environmental issues. They provide a chronological overview and detail recent developments and opposing viewpoints. Each includes a bibliography that can lead you to other sources of information on your topic.

Magazine, Journal, & Newspaper Articles

The best method for finding newspaper, magazine, and journal articles is to use one of the Library's online article databases. These are easily accessible in the residence halls and 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.

While you'll find the text of many articles in these databases, some articles are not full text. If the text of an article is not available in the database you are searching, first check for the magazine, journal, or newspaper title in:

• Serials Solutions (ASU) - Is it available in another database?

If you don't find it listed in Serials Solutions, check HORNetCat, the Library's online catalog. Type in the the magazine, journal, or newspaper title and click on Journal Title in the Find Results in box.

• HORNetCat - Is it available in the Serials Department on the Library's third floor?

Magazines & Journals

• Academic Search Premier (ASU)

Newspapers

• Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe (ASU)

Books

Because of their length, books provide a more in-depth look at topics than articles do.

• HORNetCat - for finding books in the Library
• netLibrary (ASU) - access to the full text of books online

Citing Your Sources

A copy of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers is available at the Main Reference Desk on the first floor of the Library.

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 V. Taylor at mvtaylor@alasu.edu or call her at (334) 229-6839 with your comments and suggestions.