Mount A Libraries: Research Help: Research Tips

Research Guides

The Basics: FAQs

How Do I... Guide
Brief answers to frequently asked questions
Information for New Students
Good things to know at the start of year 1.

Getting Started: Finding and Evaluating Information

Finding Information

    How to Search for Books
    How to Search for Articles
    How To Find Articles on Your Topic
    Where Do I Find... Guide (aka the Library Directory, a floor-by-floor guide to R.P. Bell Library)
    Using Newspaper Indexes & Microfilm

Evaluating Information

Fake News Guide: Tips and Resources
Evaluating Web Sources
Primary and Secondary Sources
Critical Analysis Guide
by The Writing Centre at Saint Mary's University
Critically Analyzing Information Sources
A Cornell University Library guide.
Critical Thinking Guide
by Cuesta College Academic Support Center

Identifying Scholarly and Non-scholarly Journals

Distinguishing Scholarly Journals from Other Periodicals
by Michael Engle, Cornell University Libraries
Distinguishing Scholarly from Non Scholarly Periodicals
A Queen's University Library Guide.
Scholarly Journal vs. Popular Magazine Articles
A U. of Texas at San Antonio Library guide.

Searching the Internet and Library Databases

Preparing a Search Strategy
Tips for searching library databases
Using the Internet for Academic Research
How to Search Successfully
A Memorial University Libraries guide.

Many databases allow you to format a search using AND, OR & NOT. For example: "music AND (pop OR rock)". This guide explains how to use these types of searches effectively:

Boolean Searching: Search Effectively Using AND, OR, NOT
A Colorado State University Libraries Tutorial

Understanding Call Numbers

Books and other materials are organized and shelved by subject.

The following guides describe the classification system used by academic libraries and explain how to read a call number:

Library of Congress Classification System as used at Mt.A

Library of Congress Classification Outline
A more detailed look at the LC system.
How to Read a Call Number
A University of Arizona Library Guide

Research Help: Research Tips

On This Page

Research Guides

The Basics: FAQs

Getting Started: Finding and Evaluating Information

Searching the Internet and Library Databases

Understanding Call Numbers

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