SBU Library Research Guide

Objectives

Module 1: Choosing a Topic

This module covers topic selection and how to identify keywords to search your topic. When you have completed this module you should be able to:

  • narrow or broaden a topic
  • develop a research question
  • understand how a database is organized
  • identify keywords for a topic
  • use advanced searching techniques
  • recognize two types of library databases

Module 2: Identifying Sources

This module covers types of information sources you can use for your topic. When you have completed this section of the Library Research Guide you should be able to:

  • identify a variety of information sources
  • select sources for research
  • identify characteristics of information on the Web
  • identify characteristics of library resources

Module 3: Using STARS

This module covers how to search STARS, the SBU library catalog. When you have completed this module you should be able to:

  • know where to access STARS
  • know what kinds of materials are contained in the catalog
  • know the different search options in STARS and how to navigate the Basic Search page
  • know how to read a STARS document
  • find books by title or author
  • find books on a topic using keyword search and its variations
  • understand the difference between keyword and subject heading
  • email, print, or save selected records from the catalog

Module 4: Finding Articles

This module covers how to use article indexes to identify articles on a subject. After completing this module you should be able to:

  • know what type of information is given in a database
  • distinguish between general and subject databases
  • use the Database Finder to choose appropriate databases
  • read database descriptions to determine appropriateness
  • distinguish between popular and scholarly periodicals
  • distinguish between primary and secondary sources
  • search a database to identify articles on a topic
  • use a database's email function to send a record to yourself
  • narrow or broaden your search
  • locate the periodical that contains your article as full-text, using E-Journal Finder, STARS, or SFX

Module 5: Using the Web

When you have completed this section on using web sources, you should be able to

  • understand the organization of the Internet
  • distinguish between the public web and the invisible web
  • identify the major types of Web sites
  • use search engines and metasearch engines to search the Web
  • know some Web-searching tips
  • interpret and evaluate Web search results

Module 6: Citing Sources

This module covers citing sources, plagiarism, and copyright. When you have completed this module of Library Research Guide, you should be able to

  • recognize different parts of a citation
  • describe when to cite sources used in your work
  • list ways to avoid plagiarism
  • understand the reasons for copyright
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