Step 1: Identify and develop your topic.
Step 2: Search the Online Catalog and Online Databases to find resources on
your topic.
Step 3: Find Internet Resources.
Step 4: Cite what you Find.
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Step 1: Identify and Develop your Topic.
Summary- Use books, journal articles and websites from your discipline to find interesting and relevant concepts that you want to explore further. Talk to professors to discover current issues and new research in your field. Consider the multiple perspectives on your topic.
Wolfgram Research Pages:
Choosing a Topic
Developing a Search Strategy
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Step 2: Search the Online Catalog (WebPAC) and Online Databases to
Find Resources on your Topic.
A- Library Online Catalog (WebPAC)
Summary- Use WebPAC, the Widener University Library Catalog, to find books on your topic that are available in the library. WebPAC also lists the journal titles, videotapes, DVDs and CDs that the library owns.
Wolfgram Research Pages:
How to Find Books
Reading Call Numbers
What is a Primary Source?
Interlibrary Loan
B- Online Databases
Summary- Wolfgram Memorial Library subscribes to many electronic scholarly databases. These sources allow you to search for articles about your topic. Many databases enable you to obtain the full text of the article.
Click on Databases by Title to obtain a list of the databases that you can access at Wolfgram Memorial Library. (Click here for instructions on accessing the databases from off-campus.)
Click on Research by Subject Area and choose your discipline to find the most useful databases for your field.
Wolfgram Research Pages:
How to Search Databases
Evaluating Journal Articles
Finding Journal Titles in the Online Catalog (WebPAC)
Interlibrary Loan
Additional Resources:
Finding Book Reviews in EBSCOHost (PDF)
Finding Book Reviews in Proquest Direct (PDF)
Searching Digital Dissertations (PDF)
Making Google Scholar Work for You (PDF)
Preferred Terms for Life Stages/Age Groups (PDF)
Finding Videos/DVDs in the Wolfgram Library (PDF)
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Step 3: Find Internet Resources.
Summary - The Internet is a vast, unregulated, unscreened source. You can find useful information, but you must evaluate all the resources that you retrieve.
Click on Research by Subject Area to find useful scholarly web sites in your discipline.
Wolfgram Research Pages:
Evaluation Criteria
Evaluate Web Pages Tutorial
What Web Search Engine Won't Find
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Step 4: Cite What you Find
Summary – Wolfgram Memorial Library has copies of all style manuals behind the reference desk. These print sources include accurate and up-to-date examples for all types of sources that you may encounter. The electronic guide provides a concise overview of the APA and MLA styles, including useful examples.
Wolfgram Research Pages:
Citing Your Sources
Print Style Manuals
How to prepare an Annotated Bibliography
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To obtain additional assistance:
Ask a Librarian for any help with your research.
Email the Reference Desk at: reference@mail.widener.edu
Call the Reference Desk at (610) 499-4073.
Come to the Reference Desk for personal instruction.
Reference Desk Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 am – 10:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday: 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm