CQ Researcher
Begin research for an argumentative paper at CQ Researcher. Find reports on controversial current events including background information and pro and cons of an issue.
CQ Researcher: flash
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Begin research for an argumentative paper at CQ Researcher. Find reports on controversial current events including background information and pro and cons of an issue.
CQ Researcher: flash
Library research is like a word game and whether you're searching for books or articles on your topic, you need good keywords to play the game effectively. This tutorial will show you how and where to find them.
Keyword Builder: flash
The research process is like a game of strategy and whether you're looking for books or articles, you need a good game plan.
This tutorial demonstrates the logic of search strategies using the * and the words AND, OR, NOT. You will understand when and how to use the strategies to broaden or narrow searches and target the information that you need.
If a particular article is unavailable at VCU Libraries, not in print and not electronically, how can you get it? Try Interlibrary Loan. This video walks you through the process.
Interlibrary Loan: flash or QuickTime
For a more in depth look at Get it @ VCU, watch this archived video. Some screenshots have changed a bit, but the information is still very helpful.
To request books that VCU Libraries does not own, go to Illiad and complete a book request. You will receive an E-mail when the book is ready for pickup at the service desk.
Many databases provide built-in tools in order to make searching more efficient. For example, PsycINFO's thesaurus and search limiters can make the difference between sorting through 40 results and 400 results. The following screencast will show you how you can use these two tools to build and refine searches in PsycINFO.
PsycINFO Search Tricks: View video (3 minutes 28 seconds)
Identify articles for your research project by using on of the many databases available through VCU Libraries. Databases can be multidisciplinary or subject specific. Learn what database supports your research area by watching this video.
Choosing the right database: Download video (QuickTime) View video (flash)
As you research, you will find citations for other articles of interest. Your instructor may even give you a list of article citations for you to track down. So how do you actually find the articles with only the citation? Try the Citation Linker. The following screencast will teach you to how use the Citation Linker to track down a full text article from its citation. Please note that you may need to convert the video for your iPod (select Convert Selection for iPod in iTunes) in order to view it on a video iPod.You can also view the flash version.
Citation Linker: Download video (7 minutes 24 seconds)
Instructors often ask their students to find scholarly articles to inform their research papers, but many people are unfamiliar with the characteristics of scholarly works. In this podcast, a librarian will explain what a scholarly article is. Remember, you will find exceptions to the general guidelines discussed, but this podcast will help you gain a better overall understanding of what makes a scholarly article different from other types of articles. If you're ever in doubt as to whether an article is scholarly or if it will satisfy the criteria of your assignment, be sure to ask your instructor or a librarian for assistance.
What Makes an Article Scholarly: Download MP3 file
This podcast describes new changes to the VCU Libraries Web site, including changes to accessing or finding the Catalog, Ask-A-Librarian, library services and resource guides. You can also learn about expanded borrowing privileges in this podcast.
VCU Libraries Web Site Changes: Download MP3 file
So, you've found the perfect article in a library database but only an abstract is available. What do you do? Look for the Get it @ VCU button and the full text of the article could be a few clicks away. The following is a demonstration of Get it @ VCU. Please note that you will need to convert the video for your iPod (select Convert Selection for iPod in iTunes) in order to view it on a video iPod. You can also view the flash version.
Get it @ VCU: Download video (QuickTime)
VCU Libraries provides an interlibrary loan service, ILLiad, if you need an article from a journal the library doesn't own. The following podcast covers how to place a request using ILLiad.
If you need an article the library doesn’t own: Download MP3 file
So, you've found a citation for an interesting article and now you need to find the entire full text of the article to read. What do you do? This is a question we often get from patrons, and hopefully this podcast will help you learn how to get the articles you need. This podcast will walk you through the process of finding articles when you know the name of the journal in which it appears.
Finding Articles: Download MP3 file
