Introduction to Library Research

1. Introduction to Library Research George Mason University Arlington Campus Library April Kelley, Reference Assistant Spring 2007

2. Workshop Agenda • GMU Libraries Overview • Access Services (Circulation) • Reference Sources • GMU Online Resources • Subject Specific Resources • Conducting Research • Review • Questions?

3. GMU Libraries Overview

4. University Libraries consists of the following: • Arlington Campus Library (Arlington) • Pre-1983 bound journals, European Union Documents • Fenwick Library (Fairfax) • Periodicals, Government Documents • Johnson Center Library (Fairfax) • Media, Music and Education materials • Mercer Library (Prince William Campus) • Biotechnology, Health & Fitness, Criminal Justice • Law School Library (Arlington Campus)

5. Arlington Campus Library: • Computers: • 30 Internet Access Only terminals • 2 CD-ROM stations (1 software specific) • Media: • 2 TV stations with DVD/VHS player • 1 CD player • 2 Microform readers • Television with DVD/VHS player for group viewing • Assistive Technology Room: • Equipped with software to help patrons with disabilities conduct library research • Contact: Kristine Neuber, Instructional & Assistive Technology Coordinator, at kneuber@gmu.edu or (703) 993-2143

6. Access Services (Circulation) • Borrowing circulating materials: • Activate/register your ID barcode • Loan period: 6 weeks for graduate students (items may be recalled after 4 weeks) • Renewals: 3 • Hold/Recall item in catalog that is already checked out • Fines: $.25/day regular circulating, $5.00/day for requested or reserved materials • Document Delivery: • InterCampus Lending (ICL) • Consortium Loan Services (CLS) • Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

7. Reference Services • Reference Staff • Marissa Cachero Stone,Liaison Librarian • ICAR, Initiatives in Education Transformation, Social Work • LeRoy LaFleur, Head of Arlington Campus Library and Liaison Librarian • Public & International Affairs, Public Policy, Nonprofit Management • April Kelley, Reference Assistant • Services • Reference and research assistance • Instruction • Collection Development • Online Reference • aclref@gmu.edu • iMasonLibraries: Instant message research help • E-mail a librarian

8. GMU Online Library Resources • University Libraries Website: • http://library.gmu.edu/ • Library Catalogs • GMU • WRLC • Databases • E-Journal Finder • E-Requests • E-Reserves

9. Subject Specific Resources • Databases • Arranged by subject and alphabetically • Research Guides & Web Guides • Library website: http://library.gmu.edu • “Help with Research” • Library Research Guides • Library Web Guides • Research Appointments & Consultations (with a liaison librarian)

10. Library Catalogs • The GMU library catalog contains materials owned by the University Libraries (As well as holdings for the Law Library and the Institute for Humane Studies) • The catalog can be searched by keyword, title, author, call number, journal title, ISBN, or OCLC number • By setting the search limits, you can narrow down your results by location, medium, language, etc. • The catalog is publicly accessible from anywhere with an internet connection Searching for Books and Other Materials:

11. Library Catalogs • Searching for materials outside of Mason: • As a member of the Washington Research Library Consortium (WRLC), students and faculty have access to local research libraries. • Search ALADIN, the WRLC catalog, when the item you need is unavailable through the Mason catalog. • Participating Libraries: • American University • Catholic University • Gallaudet University • George Mason University • George Washington University • Georgetown University • Marymount University • Trinity College • University of the District of Columbia

12. Databases: Searching for Articles • University Libraries provides access to about 500 databases that can be searched online • A database can contain citations, citations with abstracts, and/or full text articles from magazines, journals, newspapers and book chapters • To access the database portal on campus, click on “databases” on the library’s website

13. Databases: Accessing From Off-campus • Access to databases is limited to GMU students, faculty, and staff • To access a restricted database, click on the databaseto log-in using your e-mail username and password.

14. Conducting Research • Tips for success: • Pick a topic that interests you • Formulate your thesis or research question • Determine if there is enough information available on your topic • Books:good for historical information up to the date of publication • Articles: have most recent, up-to-date information • Find as much background information as possible on your topic • Look in encyclopedias, handbooks, and historical articles • Choose your initial search terms (keywords)

15. Conducting Research Searching: • Develop a list of alternative terminology for your main concepts • These terms can be broader, narrower, related, or even the opposite of what you are searching for • Consult a thesaurus • Use the Advanced Search option, if available • This search screen will give you features that aren’t available from the Basic Search screen

16. Conducting Research Boolean Operators UseBoolean Operators to create different combinations of your search terms AND– will result in a set of records containing allof the terms you specify OR – will result in a set of records containing any of the terms you specify. They will not necessarily be contained in the same record. This will be a larger set of records. NOT– will result in a set of records excluding terms that you specify. A B AB A B

17. Conducting Research • Use nesting, which allows for the search logic to work properly if you’re using different Boolean operators in the same search statement • “Nest” similar terms (synonyms) within parentheses – this will broaden your search and give you more results • Example: Disaster relief and(New Orleans or Louisiana)

18. Conducting Research • Use truncation, which allows for variant endings of a term (all of which may be relevant to your topic) • Truncation symbols include: ?, *, $, # • Use with care – truncating too soon may result in false hits! • Examples: • Good: • Teen* = teen, teens, teenage, teenaged, teenager, teenagers • Bad: • Viol* = viola, violent, violence, violet, violin

19. Conducting Research • Sample Search Statements • Basicconflict resolution conflictandresolution • Advanced (conflict resolutionorarbitrationormediation) and(DarfurorSudanorAfrica) and(peace and(agreement?or negotiation?or accord?))

20. Review: Conducting Research • Once you have a set of results, evaluate the usefulness of the materials in your list. • Review the descriptors or subject terms for additional terms to try. Search these terms limiting to the corresponding field to obtain a set of relevant materials. • Obtain the materials that you think will be useful to you. • You can often download, e-mail, or print materials from the databases. • Use E-Journal Finder to locate full text online • Search the GMU and/or WRLC catalog(s) for print copies of journals • Use the different document delivery options to retrieve materials that aren’t readily available (ICL, CLS, and ILL).

21. Review: Conducting Research • Using Information • Avoid plagiarism • Keep careful records of all sources you use • Note the dates that you accessed materials online. You will need them for your citations. • Consider using EndNote software to help with your record keeping, citations, and bibliography. • Rephrase ideas into your own words • Important – Give proper credit • Use the citation format specified by your program (APA, MLA, Chicago, or Turabian)

22. Questions? • Contact me: • Phone: • Reference desk: (703) 993-8230 • My extension: (703) 993-8057 • E-Mail: • aclref@gmu.edu • akelley3@gmu.edu