This section includes 4 short videos that explain the basic search process, from how to find a database related to your field to how to create more complex search queries. A written summary is given next to each video. If you need help with your research, don't hesitate to contact your liaison librarian, she is there to help!
Evaluating your sources is critical if you want to know if the information you found in a book, in an article or on the Web is good information you can use. If you're unsure where to start, the CRAAP Test (see below) is a great tool to point you in the right direction!
Currency: The timeliness of the information.
A microbiology textbook from 1950 might not be current because there has been a lot of progress in that field, but an insect identification manual from 1910 might be – depending on the topic.
Relevance: The importance of the information for your needs.
Authority: The source of the information.
Accuracy: The reliability, truthfulness and correctness of the content.
Purpose: The reason the information exists.
Adapted from: Blakeslee, S. (2010). Evaluating information – Applying the CRAAP test. https://library.csuchico.edu/sites/default/files/craap-test.pdf
When given a citation in a reference list or on your professor’s syllabus, you will need to understand how to read the citation in order to find and access the resource material. There are several citation styles and each has a unique approach to arranging the information you need. All examples given here are in APA style. For different styles, you can check the appropriate manuals. Please feel free to come see your liaison librarian if you can’t find or access a document.
The three most common types of material are books, book chapters and journal articles.
Book
Oberhauser, K. S., & Solensky, M. J. (2004). Monarch butterfly biology & conservation. Ithaca: Cornell University Press.
Elements of a book reference:
Author: Oberhauser, K. S., & Solensky, M. J.
Date of publication: 2004
Title: Monarch butterfly biology & conversation
Place of publication: Ithaca
Publisher: Cornell University Press
How to search for it in the catalogue:
Use the author’s name or the title of the book.
Book Chapter
Spencer, J. L., & Levine, E. (2008). Resistance to crop rotation. In Onstad, D. W. (Ed.), Insect resistance management: Biology, economics, and prediction (pp. 153-183). Amsterdam: Elsevier.
Elements of a book chapter reference:
Authors of chapter: Spencer, J. L., & Levine, E.
Date of publication: 2008
Title of chapter: Resistance to crop rotation
Author of book: Onstad, D. W. (Ed.).
Title of book: Insect resistance management: Biology, economics, and prediction
Page range of the chapter: (pp. 153-183)
Place of publication: Amsterdam
Publisher: Elsevier
This is a book chapter because:
On top of all the specific elements you find in a book reference (mainly place of publication and name of the publisher), your best clue is the word “in” after the title of the chapter, as it means that Chapter X can be found “in” Book Y.
How to search for it in the catalogue:
Use the book author’s name (NOT the chapter author’s name) or the title of the book (NOT the title of the chapter).
Journal Article
Parvu, M., Andronie, I. C., Amfim, A., & Simion, V. E. (2015). Studies concerning the wintering of bees. Scientific Papers: Animal Science and Biotechnologies, 48(2), 120-122.
Elements of a journal article reference:
Authors: Parvu, M., Andronie, I. C., Amfim, A., & Simion, V. E.
Date of publication: 2015
Title of article: Studies concerning the wintering of bees.
Journal Title: Scientific Papers: Animal Science and Biotechnologies
Volume number: 48
Issue number: 5
Page range: 711-727
This is a journal article because:
It has volume and issue numbers.
How to search for it in the catalogue:
You can try with the author’s name or the title of the article, but there’s a good chance you won’t find it that way. The easiest way is to search the journal’s title and use the information from the citation to find the article.
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