MC Library Research Guides: ENGL 101 &amp; 011: Find Sources: ENGL 101/ENGL 011

Workshop: Investigative Skills: Foundations of Searching

Investigative Skills: Foundations of Searching for ENGL 101 covers information about types of sources and how to use library search tools and databases. Please visit the registration page, linked below, to sign up for this workshop! (Dates will be updated as workshops are added to the schedule.)

Workshop Activities & Other Resources:

Part 1: Investigative Skills: Foundations of Searching in ENGL 101
Part 2: Investigative Skills: Foundations of Searching for ENGL 101
Research 101: Format Matters Supplemental video used in Investigative Skills: Foundations of Searching in ENGL 101
Activity: Information Creation is a Process MC Login required
Activity: Search Strategies - Practice with Keywords
Choosing a Database Video

Find Sources for ENGL 101

Also known as scholarly articles, or academic articles. Some journal articles are "peer reviewed," which means they've gone through an extra review process before being published.

When & Why to Use Journal Articles:

Information is based on research and expertise
Information is detailed and focused on a narrow topic
The peer-review process (mostly) ensures that the information is accurate
They add to a growing understanding of a topic by contributing new ideas

Search:

Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints This link opens in a new window A complete one-stop source for information on social issues. Access viewpoint articles, topic overviews, statistics, primary documents, links to websites, and full-text magazine and newspaper articles.
Gale Academic OneFile This link opens in a new window Academic OneFile is a source for peer-reviewed, full-text articles from leading journals and reference sources. Includes extensive coverage of the physical sciences, technology, medicine, social sciences, the arts, theology, literature and other subjects. Academic OneFile includes Expanded Academic ASAP.
SIRS Issues Researcher This link opens in a new window General reference database containing thousands of full-text articles exploring social, scientific, health, historic, business, economic, political and global issues. Articles and graphics are selected from 2,000 domestic and international publications according to strict criteria with regard to content and age appropriateness.

Note: On the RaptorSearch results page, refine your results by clicking Articles under Source Type.

Research Skills & Tips:

Find a Journal by Title or Subject
by Niyati Pandya Last Updated Oct 9, 2023 855 views this year

When & Why to Use Scholarly Books:

You need to understand a complex topic (these are easier to read than journal articles)
You need very in-depth analysis of a topic
You need a broad understanding of one or more topics
You need a summary of existing research on a topic

Search:

Note: On the RaptorSearch results page, refine your results by clicking Books under Source Type.

eBooks on EBSCOhost This link opens in a new window Includes reference works, scholarly monographs, literature, and other fiction. You can search for ebooks by title, keyword, author, or full text and can browse the book online or "check it out" after creating a free online account. Checking out a book allows you to view the book anywhere, anytime for the specified check out period. These titles are also accessible through RaptorSearch. For information on how to use e-books on EBSCOhost, please see this helpful guide.

Research Skills & Tips:

Find Books and Other Sources in RaptorSearch
by Niyati Pandya Last Updated Oct 9, 2023 2593 views this year

Newspapers are often the only source of information for events that are so recent that they have not yet made it into other sources.

When & why to use Newspaper articles:

You need information on local, national or international events
You need in-depth reports on selected current issues
You want to find editorials and opinions on issues

Search:

ProQuest Newspapers This link opens in a new window A full-text, cross-searchable database of the newspaper collections of the Baltimore Sun, Christian Science Monitor, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post. See also: Historical New York Times, Historical Washington Post, and Historical Wall Street Journal.
International Newsstream (ProQuest) This link opens in a new window ProQuest International Newsstand provides full-text articles from more than 660 of the world's newspapers.

Step 2: Find Sources

To find sources, start by thinking about your research questions and the type of information you need. For example, you may need to search in different places to find statistics than you would if you need to find images.

This page provides tips for how to develop a search strategy and also links to search tools you can use to find specific types of sources.

As you search, consider the tips on the Evaluate Sources page, and assess each article, book, website or other source that you find.