Research

Research

One Stop Searching

One Stop Searching

, Library Resources, Matt Dilworth, Research
Last week, we showed you the incredible new interlibrary loan system we’re rolling out. But that isn’t the only change we’re implementing this summer. Now, looking for any library resource will be a lot easier. We’re debuting the EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS) – a type of meta-search engine that looks through every library database at once. EBSCO is the maker of about a third of our databases, including ones you’ve probably used like Academic Search Premier, Business Source Complete, and CINAHL. The format and layout of the new EDS tool matches those databases, so if you’ve used one, you already know what you’re doing. And we’ve placed it prominently, so it’s easy to find. There’s a search box right on … Continued
Black History Matters

Black History Matters

, Library Resources, Matt Dilworth
Black History Month is a time for both celebration and contemplation. The African American experience is one of real people and real lives, involved in every facet of the social tapestry. This month, it is good to bring that history home – to study and understand, on a personal level, some part of that intricate tapestry. Perhaps you’re a nursing student, and the story of nurse Mary Eliza Mahoney will deepen your experience. Perhaps criminal justice is your calling, and police sergeant Samuel J. Battle’s life can enrich your own. Or perhaps you’re a business student, and the experiences of entrepreneur Madame C. J. Walker will lend you inspiration. You can connect to African American history in a way that … Continued
Crunch Time

Crunch Time

, Library Resources, Matt Dilworth, Research
So we’ve reached it at last – final exams time! Possibly the most stressful time of year for a student. You might be wondering how you can complete every paper, project, and presentation on your shoulders – particularly if you haven’t started your research yet. Well, the library’s here to help you keep your sanity, and get your resources quickly and efficiently. While it would have been better to start earlier, you’ll be glad to know that there are several things you can do to make this process easier, even at the last minute. You just have to focus on the most fruitful strategies and sources. First, don’t bite off more than you can chew. If you haven’t already picked … Continued
Summer Research

Summer Research

, , Matt Dilworth, Research
The summer is a great time to catch up or experience an interesting course that can otherwise be hard to fit into your schedule. The compressed time frame allows you to make a lot of progress quickly, whether you’re in the full twelve week session, or one of the intensive six week sessions. But it’s no walk in the park! Summer courses are every bit as rigorous as their equivalents in the fall and spring, with just as much work to do. The first summer session ends on June 27th. So if you’re taking a Summer I class, this is like the last three whole weeks of classes for a normal semester. And what that means is, now is the … Continued
A New Semester of Finding Great Things

A New Semester of Finding Great Things

, Matt Dilworth, Research
Welcome back! As the semester gets into gear, papers, projects, and assignments will begin to accumulate again. And to do them well, you’ll need to do research. You’ll be asked to find scholarly sources. Peer-reviewed sources. Primary sources. The kinds of things that Google and Bing just aren’t good at. But Google and Bing are easy to use. Scholarly tools take a bit more work. How do you get started? Scholarly databases use a very precise type of language that tells the computer how to search. Much of this computer language is based on something called Boolean logic. Boolean data is that which you can label ‘true’ or ‘false’ without any ambiguity. When you search, a database or search engine … Continued