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Library Research Guide: English Core Writing Program
Library Research Log

Name:
Section number:

Tips:

1. Follow the guidelines in the Library Research Guide and use this worksheet to keep a log of the information you find.
2. You may print this worksheet from your browser or download it in Rich Text format.
3. Click here or use your browser's BACK button to return to the Core Writing Program Library Research Guide.
    

STEP 1: Identify and Develop Your Research Topic

a. State your topic as a question:

b. Identify the main concepts or keywords in your question:

c. Identify some synonyms and other related words:

STEP 2: Find General Information

With the keywords, synonyms and related words that you identified in Step 1, begin your search with printed or online encyclopedias, and other reference sources, such as subject-specific handbooks and directories.

As you read, identify additional keywords that are relevant to your interest. Search for further information using newly identified keywords, synonyms and related words. If you need help, check with a reference librarian or your instructor.

Below, list the titles and call numbers of at least two encyclopedias, handbooks, or other general information sources you consulted for your topic. You may also wish to summarize the pertinent information you found:

STEP 3: Use the Library Catalog to Find Books and More

Using words relevant to your topic (identified in Steps 1 & 2 above), perform a Subject Search in the Library Catalog. Print or write down the citation (author, title, etc.), call number and location you wish to find in the library. Note the circulation status. When you pull the book from the shelf, review its bibliography for further potential sources. Below, attach or paste in information describing at least two books or other sources found in the Catalog:

STEP 4: Use Indexes to Find Periodical Articles

To find periodical articles, visit Databases, Web Sites, and Other Resources by Subject, or use the Reference area's printed indexes. Using online or printed periodical indexes and abstracts enables you to identify citations to articles on a topic of interest. For help in choosing an index appropriate to your topic, ask at the Main Library's Reference Desk.

If the full text of an article is not available online, copy or print the citation from the index and search for the magazine or journal title using the Library Catalog's Journal and Newspaper Title Search. If you do not find the magazine of journal title in the Library Catalog, check the University Libraries lists of Electronic Journals. You may wish to use Interlibrary Loan Services to borrow books or obtain copies of articles not available at UNR.

a. Below, attach or paste in information describing at least two pertinent magazine or journal articles.

b. Is full text available online for any of the articles you found?

____ YES
____ NO
 

STEP 5: Find Web Resources and Evaluate What You Find

Choose a subject from Databases, Web Sites, and Other Resources by Subject

a. Name of the subject page you selected:

From the bottom half of your chosen subject page, select and examine a web site for information on your topic.

b. Name of the Web site you selected:

c. Briefly summarize any information you found related to your topic on this web site:

NOTE: You may wish to print or save to disc the contents of any relevant information you find on the Web.
 

STEP 6: Cite the Information You Find

Unless otherwise instructed, use the Modern Language Association's MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing (located at the Main Library's Reference Desk) to write bibliographic citations to the books, articles, and other information sources you used.

Below, write bibliographic citations to at least two of the seven sources you were asked to find in Steps 2 through 5 above (i.e., general information sources, books or other sources found in the Library Catalog, articles, and information on the World Wide Web: