A Guide to the Keiser University Library An Introduction to Library Research for Students Enrolled in the Information Technology Programs at Keiser University

Introduction The following presentation will show you how to access and use selective resources and online databases in Information Technology and aid you in your academic research.

Overview: Learn how to… Log-in to Keiser University’s online library Access databases for research in Information Technology and related subjects Access online resources in Information Technology (IT) by specific academic IT program Differentiate between primary and secondary research resources (For graduate students) locate dissertations and theses Locate APA Format guides

Locating the KU Library Catalog and Databases on the Internet Perform a web search for KUPP of Information, or enter the following URL in your preferred search engine and click on the search result. At the KUPP of Information website, click on the STUDENTS tab and locate Library – Student log-in, and click on it. It is also accessible under KU STUDENT LINKS on the right hand side of the webpage, by clicking on Library – Student log-in.Library – Student log-in For a direct link, locate QUICK LINKS on right hand side, and click on KU Library. KU Library

Getting Started How to log-in to the online KU Note: You must log-in in order to access any of the databases

Getting Started Enter Username and Password Username: Your Student ID Number (located on your KU Student ID card) Password: Last 4 digits of your Social Security Number

Accessing the KU library catalog and databases on campus or from any Internet connection, including from home Your Username is your Student ID, a 6 or 7 digit number that appears on your schedule and photo ID. Your Password is the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number (SS#). If your SS# starts with a 0, replace it with a 1. If your account is disabled or you have trouble logging-in, please contact your campus librarians.

Using the KU Library OPAC of Print and Audiovisual Resources Found on Campus The OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog) is the orange section of the KU Library page, set above the large blue box. For items held at the Pembroke Pines campus library, locate “Limit results for Library Catalogs”, and then locate “Scoping in” to use the pull down menu to select Pembroke Pines. If you prefer to see what resources are available throughout the KU libraries system, or at any other campus location, select All Libraries or the name of another campus library on the pull down menu. Most items may be borrowed from any of the KU and Everglades libraries that are listed on the pull down menu list. Library resources may also be borrowed as from local FL libraries that are members of the Southeast Florida Library Information Network (SEFLIN), or any other local library consortium in Florida, where KU is a member, as needed.

Using the KU Library Databases (in the light blue rectangle below the library catalog) Under KEISER UNIVERSITY DATABASES, you will find several useful database links that allow you to search for articles… The EBSCOhost BUSINESS, EDUCATION, MEDICINE, NURSING databases lets you select various subjects to include in your search. LIRN (Library Information Resources Network) Keiser University contains several useful databases that include Gale InfoTrac and ProQuest.

Useful Databases for Research in Information Technology & related subjects Within LIRN (Keiser University): Select Infotrac for these databases: Academic Onefile, Expanded Academic ASAP, Business Index ASAP, Business & Company Resource Center, Custom Newspapers and the Gale Computer Database. Select Proquest for these databases: ABI/Inform Dateline, ABI/Inform Global, ABI/Inform Trade and Industry, and Proquest Research Library Within EBSCO: Select EBSCOhost BUSINESS, EDUCATION, MEDICINE, NURSING for these databases: BUSINESS SOURCE COMPLETE, Research Starters – Business, & Regional Business News.

IT resources by specific academic program On the KUPP of Information web site: You will find links to many useful resources, such as books available onsite at the KUPP library, free e-books, and related websites in your field of study. Click on the RESOURCES tab. From the drop down menu, click on RESEARCH TOOLS, which may also be found under HANDY LINKS. The following academic KUPP program resources are listed alphabetically within RESEARCH TOOLS: Computer Aided Design Cyber Forensics/Information Security Design & Multimedia Information TechnologyInformation Technology (IT) IT Management Management Information SystemsManagement Information Systems (MIS) Network Systems & Data Communications Software Engineering

Preliminary steps to research: Determine what you are looking for. Primary or secondary resources? Scholarly or academic journal articles? Peer-reviewed articles? Popular magazine or newspaper articles? Put together your search strategy before you begin…

How to differentiate between Primary and Secondary Resources Primary sources provide first-hand testimony or direct evidence concerning a topic under investigation. These are created by witnesses or other individuals who experienced the events or conditions being documented. Primary sources are actual historical records. These differ from secondary sources, accounts or interpretations of events created by someone without firsthand experience. Often created at the time when the events or conditions are occurring, primary sources can also include autobiographies, memoirs, and oral histories recorded later. Primary sources are characterized by their content, regardless of whether they are available in original format, in microfilm/microfiche, in digital format, or in published format.

Examples of Primary Resources AutobiographiesAutobiographies DiariesDiaries DocumentsDocuments Eyewitness accountsEyewitness accounts Film footageFilm footage LawsLaws LettersLetters Newspaper articlesNewspaper articles NovelsNovels Objects from the timeObjects from the time Oral historiesOral histories PhotographsPhotographs Poems, art, musicPoems, art, music SpeechesSpeeches

Secondary Resources A secondary resource is… A secondary resource is… An informational source that analyzes an event. An informational source that analyzes an event. These sources often use several primary sources to These sources often use several primary sources to compile the information. compile the information. A secondary source interprets and examines related primary sources. These sources are one or more steps removed from the event. Secondary sources may have pictures, quotes, or graphics of primary sources in them.

Examples of secondary resources Secondary resources include: textbooks, magazine articles, histories, biographies, criticisms, commentaries, and encyclopedias. Secondary resources include: textbooks, magazine articles, histories, biographies, criticisms, commentaries, and encyclopedias. An academic journal or popular magazine article which interprets or reviews previous findings is another example of a secondary source.

Locating Graduate-level Dissertations and Theses Go to the Keiser University Library “Splash page” … You must sign in to access any of the databases. Go to the section in the blue area titled “KEISER UNIVERSITY DATABASES”. Click on the link “PROQUEST DISSERTATIONS & THESES DATABASES”. Begin with a subject search which will lead to a search of related ProQuest databases and a resulting list of dissertations and theses in your chosen subject.

Locating APA Format* guides *Keiser University students are required to use the APA format when writing research papers. Do a web search using your search engine of choice (i.e. or ). In the search box, type KUPP of Information. It will take you to the website created for your use by the KU Pembroke Pines librarians. Or you can also search for its URL directly: Note: There is also a direct link to the KUPP of Information on the KU Library homepage, in the middle blue section, under STUDENT & INSTRUCTOR RESOURCES, called KUPP Keiser University Pembroke Pines Library. In KUPP, select the tab labeled RESOURCES, use the drop down arrow to locate and click on the section called APA STYLE MATERIALS, which is also located under HANDY LINKS on the right hand side. In the same tab labeled RESOURCES, use the drop down arrow to the bottom tab labeled TUTORIALS, where you will find APA STYLE TIPS & GUIDELINES. There is also a section on the KU Library homepage, in the blue section, called APA STYLE & WRITING RESOURCES, which provides links to various resources on APA format style.

Need additional assistance with research? If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to speak to the librarians at your home campus. or Contact any of the KU campus locations. Ask to speak with one of the Campus Librarians. Daytona Beach: (386) Fort Lauderdale: (954) Fort Myers: (239) Jacksonville: (904) Lakeland: (863) Melbourne: (321) Miami: (305) Orlando: (407) Pembroke Pines: (954) Port St. Lucie: (772) Sarasota (941) Tallahassee (850) Tampa: (813) West Palm Beach (561) Keiser University Library is committed to your academic success.

Credits: This pathfinder was created by the KUPP librarians: Bonnie Marshak Tim Guillen For additional information on Keiser University’s College of Advanced Technology, see March 2012