English 5033
Assistant Professor
Information
Services Librarian
Office:
Northeastern
E235 Library (
3100 E.
Telephone (918) 449-6453
FAX (918) 449-6454
Email: louderba@nsuok.edu
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All
the resources listed below may be accessed remotely 24/7 through the links
listed below.
NSU
Beginning
your
research
Topics
Browse periodicals, professional web sites. Look for suggestions of needs for further research.
Check
for a Call for Papers.
In your field, what doesn't make sense or what interests you?
As you read, narrow your topic.
Ways to narrow topic include geographically, by date, by specific interest group, by issue.
Do cross disciplinary studies.
Critically
assessing information
1. Identify authors who are outstanding in their fields, determine the
credentials of the author. Does the
author
have a degree in the field, is the author a professor?
2. Date of publication--is it recent?
3. Does the publisher have a good reputation?
Is it published by a professional association or university press?
Is the journal refereed?
4. How was the book received by the critics?
5. Completeness of the material. Does it have an index, bibliography?
6. Is the language slanted or biased?
7. Does it include well known facts or research studies?
8. Do the links work?
Approach
to reference question
1. State problem clearly. Identify desired outcomes. State level of research (speech, term paper,
dissertation).
2. Identify where you have already looked. If you have found one good source on
the topic, bring it.
3. Identify type of resource that could answer the question.
4. List the subject area of discipline
5. If the reference collection is small, browse in the appropriate subject area
by using the Library of Congress numbers.
6. Check standard lists or footpaths.
7. Ask for assistance.
Subject
headings
Library of Congres Subject Headings
Keyword vs. controlled vocabulary
Boolean logic
Research tips for English students
Suggested Key-Word/ Subject Search Terms
One of the first steps in creating a research plan is
to select “key words” which best describe the topic you plan to research.
If you are unfamiliar with the terminology you may wish to
refer to sources such as textbooks, dictionaries, and other reference resources
in the field of study. Contact your instructor if you are unsure if a
particular topic is appropriate. It is usually wise to make sure if you are on
target with your topic before you begin to spend much time researching a
project.
1.) Key terms to use individually and in combination with
each
other:
feminis*
(truncation)
2.) Combine key words with Boolean operators (and, or,
not). Poe and criticism, gothic and novel
3.) Phrase terms ie: literary criticism can be
searched by placing the phrase in quotation marks “literary criticism”
NSU Libraries Catalog: http://library2.nsuok.edu/
Arts and Letters Reference Sources by Sarah Brick Archer
Searches may be limited to just
the
Locating book
resources from other institutions: WorldCat
You may access these ebooks at the following link: http://library.nsuok.edu/Refdesk/vrdbks.html
Article Databases and Indexes
Journal articles may be accessed through our
various online databases available through the following link:
Articles and Databases page: http://library.nsuok.edu/Indexes/index.html
Recommended Databases
EbscoHost: (contains the following relevant databases. You may search
multiple databases simultaneously)
Wilson
Omnifile
Assessing
the quality of Web sites:
Feline Reactions
to Bearded Men
http://library.nsuok.edu/collegela/lang/eng1213suse.html
Bibliography
and References Citation Format Guides:
MLA Handbook for Writers of
Research Papers (MLA)
Call # LB2369.G53
Reference
MLA Style Guides
Electronic Sources:
Citation Guides:
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Useful General
Internet Search Engines
Search engines
Internet Search Engines Available
The Internet Public Library
Search Engines Showdown
Need Research Help? I.M. the Answer Chat Reference @ NSU
For access to other electronic indexes and databases that Northeastern State University offers, please visit:
[NSU Homepage] [Research Guides] [NSU BA Library Home]
This page maintained by Pamela Louderback
© Northeastern State University
For problems or questions regarding this web page contact Pamela Louderback
Last updated: 06/14/11