How to Do Library Research

We're all online! The library has a great number of sources for you to be able to work remotely. However, give yourself some extra time, and please always reach out to me. We don't want you to be stuck.

Journal Articles

• Journals are generally available electronically.
• Note: There have been some technical issues to linking to full text. If you encounter problems contact me or the Reference Librarian online for help.

How do I get Help?

Contact me, Swetta Abeyta with any questions, no matter how big or small.

• You can also schedule an appointment with me and we can talk over Zoom. This works best when you need more guidance on searching.

Contact the Reference Librarian via chat during Reference Hours.

So what are you going to do with the research you found?

To integrate your sources into your essay, make sure you understand

• What each source will contribute to your reader's understanding of the issue
• How these sources relate to each other
• How the sources relate to your own ideas and experience
• Where each source will fit into your essay.

Every time you quote or paraphrase, ask yourself, what purpose does this piece of evidence serve in my essay? Is quoting or paraphrasing the right choice here? How am I connecting this evidence back to my thesis for the reader? 

Ask yourself: What do my sources agree on? Disagree on? How do they fit together?

Consider: What will your sources be used for?

Background: when you need basic information to get the gist of your topic: the major themes, people, places, events, and debates.

Exhibit: when you need research results and other kinds of evidence that helps you answer your research question.

Argument: when you need to know what other people have argued in response to your research question.

Method: when you need to adapt someone else's method--a theory, instrument, essay structure, etc.--for your purposes.