Library Web page with access to

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Library Services

• Library Web page with access to
• Library information
• Online catalog
• Online periodical databases
• Web Links Tutorials
• Interlibrary Loan
• TexShare Program
• Reference Librarians

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Interlibrary Loan Requests
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TexShare is a cooperative program to share
library resources. The member libraries of
TexShare extend free reciprocal borrowing
privileges to each other's students, faculty, and
staff. This includes most academic and public
libraries in Texas.

• To participate in the TexShare program you must
• obtain a TexShare Card at St. Edwards Library
• present identification as required at the lending
  library
• observe the policies of the lending library
• return the materials in person or by first-class
  mail to the lending library
• pay assessed charges for lost materials, or
  materials returned late or damaged

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Library of Congress Classification System
Organized into twenty-one classes of knowledge,
these classes are identified by a letter of the
alphabet. Classes are broken down into
sub-classes by additional letters. Sub-classes
are further broken down using numbers.

• Q Science
• QD Chemistry
• 251 Organic Chemistry
• QD251 .F53
• Topics in organic chemistry
• by Louis F. Fieser

T Technology TP Chemical Technology 155
Chemical Engineering TP155.7 .E34 Optimization
of chemical processes by Thomas F. Edgar
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Mining for information

• Read strategically as you research!
• Look for and note
• Keywords
• Parties, Policies (organizations, politicians,
  etc.)
• Primary sources (for statistics, laws, etc.)
• Authors to research further
• Sources in bibliographies, works cited, suggested
  readings, etc.

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From Gale Virtual Reference Library African
Americans and Poverty. Ngina Chiteji,
PH.D. Encyclopedia of World Poverty. 
On average, according to the Census Bureau,
African Americans are more than twice as likely
to be poor as white Americans. They are also more
likely to experience long spells of poverty. What
is the reason for the higher incidence of
poverty? While several theories exist, William
Darity identifies two recurring themes throughout
the different explanations. Some theories of
poverty, called individualist explanations,
argue that individuals make specific choices that
lead to poverty. Other theories offer
structuralist explanations that attribute
causality to the structure of society and its
institutions. To understand African-American
poverty one cannot rely on theory alone, however.
Knowledge of the empirical research testing the
validity of different theoretical propositions is
also crucial.
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From Gale Virtual Reference Library African
Americans and Poverty. Ngina Chiteji,
PH.D. Encyclopedia of World Poverty. 
On average, according to the Census Bureau,
African Americans are more than twice as likely
to be poor as white Americans. They are also more
likely to experience long spells of poverty. What
is the reason for the higher incidence of
poverty? While several theories exist, William
Darity identifies two recurring themes throughout
the different explanations. Some theories of
poverty, called individualist explanations,
argue that individuals make specific choices that
lead to poverty. Other theories offer
structuralist explanations that attribute
causality to the structure of society and its
institutions. To understand African-American
poverty one cannot rely on theory alone, however.
Knowledge of the empirical research testing the
validity of different theoretical propositions is
also crucial.
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Research Plan
What
Reference Books, Circulating Books, Periodicals/Se
rials, and Web Sites
Sources
GVRL Reference Librarians, Online Catalog,
Online Databases, Web Search Engines Google,
Yahoo, etc.
Where
Search Tools
How
Boolean Operators AND, OR, Specific Fields
Title, Subject, Abstract, etc. Controlled
Vocabulary
Search Strategy
Why
Authority, Accuracy, Appropriateness, Relevancy,
Objectivity, Coverage/Content
Evaluation
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When you click SEARCH...

• You search gtgt the record vs. the full-text
• Default is seldom searching full-text
• What is the Record Author
• Title
• Journal title
• Subjects
• Abstract

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Search Strategies

• AND different concepts
• biomass energy and agriculture
• OR synonyms/similar terms
• biomass energy or renewable energy sources
• Be careful of phrases! Dont put words next to
  each UNLESS YOU REALLY MEAN IT.
• biofuels advocates should be biofuels and
  advocates
• To force a phrase search, use quotation marks

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Subjects are special!
Common Language -------- Controlled
Vocabulary Biofuels BIOMASS energy
Academic Search Complete
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Truncation

• the word off at the root get all forms!
• adolescent
• adolescents
• adolescence

adolescen
Caution Policy polic will also get you
police Policies
Note In Lexis-Nexis, use ! instead of
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CLICK THE GREEN BUTTONOr the Text Link
(Ebsco)
(Gale)
CLICK HERE TO CHECK FOR FULL TEXT

• You are only searching one database. The library
  has 100 databases, and access to over 18,000
  journals.
• Click the button to see if the article is in one
  of the other 99 databases! Or in the library
  in...paper!!

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Evaluating Resources

• Authority Who is the author and what are
  his/her credentials and experience? With what
  institutions is the author affiliated? Who
  published or disseminated the information?
• Content Is this primary research or gathered
  from other sources? What evidence is presented?
  Does the data support the conclusion? Are
  arguments and supporting evidence presented
  clearly?
• Relevancy How current is the content? Is the
  source appropriate for your needs?
• Objectivity Does the author have an
  agenda/mission statement? What is the purpose of
  the information to inform, to educate, to
  advocate, to persuade?

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Locating items from a citation

• If you have a citation to a journal article
• Go to the librarys homepage
• Click on PERIODICALS/JOURNALS
• Search for the journal title
• If you have a citation to a book
• Go to the librarys homepage
• Click on CATALOG
• Search for the title of the book

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Need Ideas?

• CQ Researcher Issue Tracker
• Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center
• Lexis-Nexis Hot Topics
• Browse Congressional Digest
• Browse News Magazines
• Search Google (controversial issues siteedu)

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Congressional DigestIn paper and online
Published monthly each issue features a current
controversy with pro con perspectives covered.
Return to List
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News Magazines
Search News Magazines in Academic Search Complete
Return to List