Information comes from many sources--it is all around us.
Several of these sources include literature published on a particular topic (like books,
journal articles,
documents)
and even material that is sometimes not published (theses and dissertations,
reports of organizations or other entities).
Other sources of information may include radio, television and the Internet -- the list goes on.
How does one find this information?
Traditionally, to find published research one would conduct what is called a
literature search. This step in the research process used to be fairly consistent
(although extremely labor intensive and time-consuming). One would check library catalogs for books,
the general and specific indexes and abstracts for references to periodical articles (some abstracting services include
references to books and dissertations).
With the explosion of information and technology in the last several decades, the search process itself is perhaps less
labor-intensive (machines do a lot of the work). However, it is not less time-consuming even for the information literate person.
There are many more sources of information--choosing appropriate sources is one of the difficulties encountered.
Additionally it is important to
evaluate the information you find.
What should an information literate individual should be able to do?
Determine the extent of information needed
Access the needed information effectively and efficiently
Evaluate information and its sources critically
Incorporate selected information into one’s knowledge base
Use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose
Understand the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information, and
access and use information ethically and legally
Look here for books, government documents and other materials owned by Maag Library.
Search by subject, keyword, author or title.
If you have difficulty locating the correct subject heading, it may help to consult the Library of Congress Subject Headings, a set of large red books located behind the Reference Desk in the Reference Room.
Copy or print publication information (author, title, place, publisher, date--found in the catalog record or on the title page of the book itself) for your works cited page.
by searching a database that will tell you if your article has been used in
newer research such as Arts and Humanities Citation Index, Social
Sciences Citation Index or Science Citation Index.
See ISI Citation Indexes.
To identify current and retrospective research by author, title and subject.
Example: Select Full Search. Select database and years. Click on General
Search. Search by topic (use keywords, Boolean searching etc.), author, or title.
Sample Search:
Enter the search diversity AND program* and health to retrieve
a set of articles relating to this topic.
View individual references.
To identify research that has been cited in other published research.
Example:
Select Cited Reference Search.
Enter as much information as you have (author, journal name, date).
View individual references.
Click on the "Times Cited" link to retrieve current references. (tells who is using the article in current research)
or Click on "Cited references" to see references the author used to write his/her article)
Searching for Publications of Government Entities
Identify references to Government Publications:
by searching library catalogs (MaagNet, OhioLINK, WorldCat)
