|
Background
Information
- The first thing you will want to do is to define your topic and
refine your search terms. Do some background reading, and think about
what terms you will be looking for in your research, jot down terms you
see in your reading, and in records you uncover during this process.
This will give you an idea of how other people may have described and
classified the information for which you are searching.
- Encyclopedias are a great place to start your research and help to
give you a better understanding of your topic. You can find several
electronic encyclopedias on our Reference
Books Online Page and don't forget to check-out the Resources
by Subject page, where you can find even more information to help
you through the research process.
Finding Sources
- Once you have an idea of the search terms you would like to use, go
to the Wellesley College
Library Catalog. The catalog is a database with all the titles of
books and journals we have on the shelves (note: you
cannot look for individual journal articles here).
- If you are on a data-gathering mission, keyword
searches are often the best way to start. The default is phrase
searching, so if you have separate terms, put AND or
OR between them.
- If you have specific items in mind, look them up using an
author or title search. Keep in mind that
subject searches are very exact and it is usual best to start with a
keyword search so that you do not limit your results.
- Once you have found interesting materials, note the subject
headings. These may be useful to you when you search for more materials.
- Remember that you can limit your searches, mark records, and export
them to your email.
- Once you pull up a detailed record for something, make sure you note
its location, call number,
holdings (for periodicals), as well as any relevant
subject headings.
- Another great place to look for books not necessarily at Wellesley
is WorldCat.WC WorldCat
allows you to search library catalogs around the world for books, videos
and journal titles. There is also a link so you can place an
interlibrary loan.
- If during your searching you find materials that are not available
at Wellesley you may request them through our InterLibrary Loan
Department. To do this simply fill out a form on the ILL
homepage.
- There is also a link to the Virtual
Catalog which enables you to request materials directly from another
library. You will need your 16 digit barcode number from your OneCard to
place this request.
- Once you have looked for background information and books in the
Library, you may want to move on to articles and essays that are listed
in separate databases and indexes. All of our online databases are
listed on the Library's Databases A-Z
page which gives you a brief description of what types of topics each of
the databases covers.
- If this list seems too daunting don't forget that the Librarians
have created subject guides to aid you with your research, you will find
all their helpful suggestions on the Library's Resources
by Subject page. There may even be a page for your class, check the
Library Instruction Class Guide link on each of the main subject pages.
Evaluating Information
Wellesley
College Library information on evaluating information
Citation Style Guides
Term Paper
Calculators
University of
Minnesota Assignment Calculator - This handy tool calculates a
schedule for you depending on your subject area and when you will begin
your assignment. It also gives links to helpful hints for each step of the
research/writing process.
Get Additional Help
Still overwhelmed by the research process? Use our AskUs service
or contact a
librarian specializing in your subject area.
Return
to top
Library home | Wellesley College | Information Services
| <Knapp Center
| College
Archives | Site map
- Wellesley College
Library
- Date created:
March 9, 2004
- Date Modified:
January 27, 2006
|
