Researching at the Millsaps Library

Goal for Today Prepare you for research you will be asked to perform in your classes at Millsaps

What type of sources do I need? Most research assignments will require scholarly sources  Includes books and scholarly articles

Popular vs. Scholarly We will complete the evaluating sources activity Links to the sources are available in the library’s Core 1 guidelibrary’s Core 1 guide

Scholarly and Popular Sources ScholarlyPopular Title often contains the word JournalJournal usually does not appear in title Source is available mainly through libraries and library databases Source is generally available outside of libraries (at newsstands or from a home Internet connection) Few or no commercial advertisementsMany advertisements Authors are identified with academic credentials Authors are usually journalists or reporters hired by the publication, not academics or experts Summary or abstract appears on first page or article; articles are fairly long No summary or abstract; articles are fairly short Article cites sources and provide bibliographies Articles may include quotations but do not cite sources or provide bibliographies Page 180 of Easy Writer

Formulating a Research Question Examine your assignment Choose an appropriate topic that interests you  Your topic may change as you research Example:  Topic: microfinance  Narrowed topic: microfinance and women  Research question: What impact has microfinance had on women?

Choosing Keywords State your topic as a question Identify the main concepts or keywords Identify synonyms and related words Use keywords and synonyms as search terms QuestionKeywords Synonyms & Related Words What effect does globalization have on workers' wages? globalization, workers, wages worldwide integration, employees, pay

Choosing Keywords Practice QuestionsKeywords Synonyms & Related Words What effect does globalization have on workers' wages? globalization, workers, wages worldwide integration, employees, pay What impact has microfinance had on women?

Finding Books Use broad keywords Search in Big Search  “Limit to Library Catalog Only” Or search in the Millsaps Library Catalog Search also for eBooks  In Big Search or in the EBSCO Academic E-Book Collection database

Using Call Numbers We use the Library of Congress Classification System Call numbers are in order by subject Find a call number and browse books on the shelf nearby Library’s Guide to Call Numbers

Checking Out Books Once you find a book you’d like to check out…  Bring the book(s) to the front desk  Give the student worker your Millsaps ID card and the book(s) Borrowing and Circulation Policies  Up to 25 books at a time  3 weeks with 2 renewals

Finding Peer Reviewed Articles “Limit to Peer Reviewed” in Big Search and databases Peer Review is a process journals use to ensure the articles they publish represent the best scholarship currently available

Searching for Articles Library databases are searchable collections of information from published works  Often contain full-text articles Big Search includes most of the library’s databases Subject specific databases only include articles from a specific discipline

Practice Finding Articles Find 2 articles in Big Search and 2 articles in a subject specific database on: What impact has microfinance had on women?

Interlibrary Loan Request books and articles not available at Millsaps Use the electronic forms on the ILL web pageILL web page Use WorldCat for booksWorldCat

Practice Finding Books (time permitting) Find the call number for any one book  Use Big Search or the library’s catalog  Write down or take a picture of the call number and location We are going to go on a tour!  During the tour, you will find the book you selected on the shelves

Questions? Anytime you need help with research: Call us at us at Drop by the front desk We are here to help!