Jocelyn Castillo
Xiaoli Fang
Colleen Finnegan
Patrick Shalhoub
Information Literacy Tutorial by University Library, American University (2017)
The Internet, The World Wide Web and Libraries
The Internet and the World Wide Web have radically altered the way that most information is published, stored, and retrieved. The research process has become more efficient, but the technological improvements have blurred the differences between library information resources and web search tools such as Google.
Traditionally, libraries served as information warehouses storing books, journals, and other tangible documents. Researchers needed to spend a lot of time in the library gathering relevant information.
Many library resources have now moved entirely to the online environment. Today's libraries provide access to information in electronic format, and researchers can easily search digital library collections from the convenience of their home, office, or dormitory.
In fact, the Internet and the World Web have not replaced libraries but have greatly enhanced the services they now provide. Reference librarians can help you find the information you need using online library resources and web search engines.
Google Scholar and Google Books
Google Scholar and Google Books are useful tools to easily identify important research articles and scholarly books on a topic.
Some content, such as Open Access journal articles, U.S. Government publications, and public domain e-books, are downloadable at no cost. However, publishers may charge high usage fees for other journal articles. Many books are still protected by copyright laws and cannot be digitized and downloaded at all.
If you use Google Scholar or Google Books, remember to search the library resources first before paying to download an article or an e-book. The library may already have access to the item in one of its online collections!
If the library does not have access, complete an Inter-library Loan request form to see if we can borrow a copy from another library.
Google and Other Search Engines
Free search engines, such as Google, offer powerful, convenient and intuitive means of locating all kinds of information available on the World Wide Web. Google indexes trillions of websites, and offers its search services at no charge to the user. However, Google does not provide much content of its own and it does not verify the accuracy of information retrieved.
Google and other search engines are useful when you need to locate:
Library Databases
Unlike Google search, library resources such as Academic Search Premier, ProQuest Central and EBSCOhost's eBook Academic Collection are not freely available tools. Instead, libraries pay annual licensing or subscription fees to provide access to scholarly journal articles and e-books. The costs of these subscriptions and licensing fees are paid indirectly by students through their tuition and by the general public through tax dollars.
Articles and e-books retrieved from library databases contain reliable and accurate information from reputable publishers. Title and holdings lists for each database are available that identify the sources of information being searched.
The advanced search interfaces of library databases include specialized subject indexes and limiter tools that offer better control over your search results. Search results can be restricted to full-text publications, peer-review journals, or to specific date ranges.
Multi-disciplinary Databases
Use library databases when you need reliable and high quality information for academic studies and research. Certain databases are multi-disciplinary in scope and are good places to begin research for almost any topic.
Examples of multi-disciplinary databases include:
Specialized Subject Databases
Subject-specific databases contain well-focused information limited to specific disciplines and subject areas like Education, Business, Nursing, Social Sciences and other areas.
Examples of specialized subject area databases include:
Fulltext
Library databases contain thousands of e-books and millions of journal, magazine and newspaper articles that can be printed, emailed, or downloaded as needed. Unfortunately, not every article is available for download in fulltext. Look for the HTML and/or PDF icon links that indicate fulltext availability. Use the fulltext limiter tool to restrict search results to articles that can be downloaded.
Publisher's Embargo
Some publishers impose an embargo on the most recent issues of certain journals. Embargoed article citations are indexed by the database, but the fulltext will not be available in the database until the embargo period is over, usually about one full year.
Video: What are Databases and Why You Need Them - by Yavapai College Library.
This video reviews the main features of library databases and the benefits of using them for research.
Time: 2:35 minutes
Types of Articles
Be aware that search results from Library Databases may include many different types articles including:
Some assignments might require that information sources come exclusively from research articles published in peer-reviewed journals. Other assignments might specify that several different types of articles must be consulted.
Check with the instructor if you have any questions.
Different Types of Periodicals: Journals, Magazines and Newspapers
Journals, magazines, or newspapers are sometimes called periodicals as new issues are published "periodically", for example, on a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly or other basis.
Periodicals List A-Z
The Periodicals List A-Z is searchable online tool used to determine if the library has access to a particular journal title, either in print or online. It also indicates the available date ranges of our holdings for each title which can vary.
Peer-reviewed Journals
Peer-reviewed journals contain articles that are reviewed by experts in a specific discipline (the author's "peers" ) prior to publication.
Most often, peer-reviewed journals are used by scholars to communicate methodologies and results of original research. The purpose of peer review is to ensure that only the highest quality articles are published and become part of the ever-growing body of scholarly knowledge.
Many library databases allow you to limit your search to only peer-reviewed / scholarly journal articles.
Be aware that peer-reviewed journals also include short editorial and book review articles. Most of the time, you should look for the longer feature articles that contain original research or literature reviews.
Refereed or juried journals are generally the same as peer-reviewed journals. Scholarly or academic journals are a broader category and refer to the journal's intended audience.
Popular Publications
Magazines and newspapers are considered popular publications.
Articles published in magazines and newspapers sometimes summarize the results of scholarly research articles but they are written for the general reader.
Trade and Professional Publications
Trade or professional sources are written for specialized audiences working in various professions or fields.
Articles published in trade or professional publications can be the source of useful information depending on the research topic.
Books and E-Books
Like journals, books and e-books can be considered scholarly or popular depending on their intended audience. Books usually have a single publication date unless there is a new or updated edition of the work.
Books and are usually substantial works that require a significant amount of time to research, write and publish. Books usually try to attempt to provide an in-depth overview, a detailed discussion or thorough analysis of any given topic that will be of enduring value.
Due to their length, books are usually divided into sections and chapters which may focus particular aspects of a topic. Tables of contents and indexes can be important means of locating specific information within a book. The bibliography can point to other important works on the subject.
Collections of shorter works by different authors can be edited and published as a single volume. Several books on related topics can be published as part of the same series.
Online Library Catalog
Use WorldCat Discovery, our online catalog, to search for books and e-books available through the Guarini Library. WorldCat Discovery also includes all sorts of other library materials such as journal and newspaper articles, DVDs, websites, maps, etc.
Use the filters on the left side column to limit search results to print books and/or e-books.
By changing the scope setting of the search, WorldCat Discovery can also locate books and e-book holdings in Libraries Worldwide.
EBSCOhost's eBook Academic Collection can be searched directly for access to thousands of current e-books on all subjects.
Library of Congress Classification
The Guarini Library uses the Library of Congress Classification system to organize our collection of print books by general subjects such as art, history, music, psychology, etc.
These "call numbers" are assigned to each book is printed on the spine label and serves as the book's "address" on the library shelves.
The collection is also subdivided into several shelving locations such as the Circulating Collection, the Reference Collection, and the Media (DVD) Collection.
The library has a large collection of juvenile materials which is organized according to the Dewey Decimal system.
See the Library Collection Guide for additional information about the print collections.
What Is A Primary Source?
Primary sources are original materials that present initial thinking, report on discoveries, or share new information.
Firsthand documents presented during an experience or time period and offer an inside view of a particular event, for example:
Research results generated by experiments, investigations, surveys, studies, etc., for example:
Original works of literature, art, and music, for example:
For more information see the following:
What is a Secondary Source?
Secondary sources are materials written about primary sources. These sources can be:
Interpretations of or discussions about firsthand documents, for example:
Biographies
Evaluations or analysis of someone's original research results, for example:
Commentary or criticism of original literature and art works, for example:
For more information see the following:
Test Your Knowledge About Information Sources:
1. The university library offers:
a) Online databases
b) Selected books, journals, videos and government documents
c) eBooks
d) Reference books and services
e) Information literacy instructions and tutorials
f) All of the above
2. Which is the most appropriate resource to find full-text peer reviewed journal articles on a specific subject ?
a) WorldCat DIscovery
b) A library database, such as Academic Search Premier
c) The Internet
d) Reference books
3. You are preparing a research paper and you need resources for background/introductory information. Your professor requests that you use print resources. Where would you look?
a) Reference books such as encyclopedias or handbooks
b) Newspaper articles
c) The WWW
d) Library databases
4. What can you get from the library databases? Choose the BEST answer:
a) Peer review /Scholarly journals
b) Popular magazines, Newspapers
c) Reference materials such as encyclopedias
d) Subject specific journals
c) e) eBooks
f) All of the above
1. F
2. B
3. A
4. F