1. Research using the TAMU Libraries
ARCH 681 Graduate Seminar
Research using the TAMU Libraries

2. Welcome! From the TAMU Libraries
Collections
4.5+ million volumes
400,000+ e-books
9th among US public academic libraries (top in SEC!)
Top 33% in Architectural holdings among ARLs
6 CS branches (does not incl. TRC in Langford)

3. Common Formula for Academic Writing
Introduction/Problem Statement
Literature Review
Methodology
Analysis/Discussion
Findings/Conclusion/Questions for Future Research

4. Literature Review: The Foundation for your research!
Lit. review is the foundation which grounds your original contribution in the established scholarly literature of the discipline.
Sources: Always Use The Best Quality!
Books
Scholarly / professional journal articles
Conference papers / presentations / proceedings
Government reports / materials
Theses / dissertations
Industry standards
“Standing on the shoulders of Giants.”—Sir Isaac Newton

5. How to Find Sources Books=LibCat or WorldCat
Scholarly/professional journal articles=Library databases
Conference materials can be tricky (sometimes in LibCat, sometimes in databases)
Gov’t materials can be in LibCat and other sources
Theses/dissertations=databases
Industry standards=multiple sources

6. Electronic Resource Search Tips:
Things to remember when using computers for research:
Computers do not understand concepts, computers take search strings literally
Narrow your topic appropriately for the assignment
Search under synonyms and alternate spellings (esp. when using international resources)

7. Electronic Resource Tips (cont’d)
Other recommendations:
truncate when needed or if unsure of spelling
truncation symbols (a.k.a. “wildcards”) vary with different databases (usu. !, ?, *, or $)
e.g. architect? = architect, architects, architecture architectural, etc.
Boolean logic (AND, OR, and NOT) can narrow or expand a search
each database and index works differently, read the instructions or help pages carefully

8. Other Library Resources
Subject/Lib Guides
“Get it for me!”
Class Guides
Citing Sources
Course Reserves
Study Rooms
Audio-Visuals
Chat

9. The “Best” Resource? IT DEPENDS! No “one best way”
Each project is different
Some databases address very technical subjects (computer modeling, engineering)
Other databases concentrate on social sciences
All TAMU databases chosen for quality!
CAST YOUR NETS FAR AND WIDE!

10. Select TAMU Library Databases
LibCat
Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals
Projekt Dyabola
JSTOR
ARTSTOR
Compendex / EiVillage
Science Citation Index
Digital Dissertations

11. QUESTIONS?
Pauline Melogza, Assoc. Prof OR