The NCC Library The NCC Library Research and Use Research and Use Tutorial Tutorial The NCC Library Research and Use The NCC Library Research and Use Tutorial is a series of self-paced Tutorial is a series of self-paced modules designed to help you learn modules designed to help you learn how to find, evaluate and manage how to find, evaluate and manage information in an increasingly information in an increasingly complex information environment. complex information environment. The tutorial introduces you to some The tutorial introduces you to some important search concepts and guides important search concepts and guides you in the use of the library at you in the use of the library at Nebraska Christian College. Nebraska Christian College.
Transcript
The NCC Library The NCC Library Research and Use Research and Use
TutorialTutorialThe NCC Library Research and Use Tutorial is a The NCC Library Research and Use Tutorial is a series of self-paced modules designed to help series of self-paced modules designed to help you learn how to find, evaluate and manage you learn how to find, evaluate and manage information in an increasingly complex information in an increasingly complex information environment. information environment.
The tutorial introduces you to some important The tutorial introduces you to some important search concepts and guides you in the use of search concepts and guides you in the use of the library at Nebraska Christian College.the library at Nebraska Christian College.
The three topics covered in The three topics covered in the library tutorials are:the library tutorials are:
Research – introduces you to important Research – introduces you to important information concepts and useful search information concepts and useful search techniques.techniques.
Library Resources – introduces you to the Library Resources – introduces you to the library’s online catalog and explains how items library’s online catalog and explains how items are organized in the library.are organized in the library.
Online Resources – outlines the different types Online Resources – outlines the different types of articles you may need for your research and of articles you may need for your research and explains how to search for and access them explains how to search for and access them through the library’s databases.through the library’s databases.
Objectives: How to Objectives: How to research a topicresearch a topic
Choose a topic Choose a topic
Choose a topic that is of interest to you, Choose a topic that is of interest to you, is neither too broad nor too narrow, and is neither too broad nor too narrow, and meets the guidelines set down by your meets the guidelines set down by your instructor. General resources such as instructor. General resources such as encyclopedias or journals can help encyclopedias or journals can help provide ideas and background provide ideas and background information for your topic.information for your topic.
Develop a search Develop a search strategystrategy
A good search strategy depends on A good search strategy depends on knowing the general subject area of your knowing the general subject area of your topic, and what type of information you topic, and what type of information you will need: factual (statistics, dates), will need: factual (statistics, dates), general reference (encyclopedias, general reference (encyclopedias, dictionaries) or in-depth (books, articles).dictionaries) or in-depth (books, articles).
Identify information Identify information sourcessources
Find the type of sources that best fits Find the type of sources that best fits your strategy and topic. Some topics are your strategy and topic. Some topics are better researched in books; other require better researched in books; other require scholarly or professional articles, scholarly or professional articles, newspapers, or even websites.newspapers, or even websites.
Choose a database to Choose a database to searchsearch
If you are looking to see which books and If you are looking to see which books and reference material we own in the NCC reference material we own in the NCC library, the place to start is the online library, the place to start is the online catalog. It is available on the public catalog. It is available on the public access computer by the library entrance, access computer by the library entrance, or online through the library webpage.or online through the library webpage.
Journal articles and databases may be Journal articles and databases may be searched through the library webpage.searched through the library webpage.
Choosing a database to Choosing a database to searchsearch
The online catalog may be searched in The online catalog may be searched in three different ways:three different ways:
by subjectby subject by authorby author by titleby title
Choosing a database to Choosing a database to searchsearch
Article information and full-text articles may be Article information and full-text articles may be found by searching the following databases:found by searching the following databases:
Wilson WebWilson Web EBSCO – which is the Academic Search Elite, EBSCO – which is the Academic Search Elite,
and the Religion and Philosophy Collectionand the Religion and Philosophy Collection
These may be accessed through the library These may be accessed through the library webpage – located under Academics on the webpage – located under Academics on the NCC webpage.NCC webpage.
Develop a search Develop a search strategystrategy
Three important components of a Three important components of a successful research strategy are:successful research strategy are:
Identify appropriate information sourcesIdentify appropriate information sources Find the required information sourcesFind the required information sources Search the sources effectivelySearch the sources effectively
Develop a search Develop a search strategystrategy
These questions may help you identify what These questions may help you identify what information sources you need and where you information sources you need and where you may find them –may find them –
1.1. What subject area is involved? What subject area is involved? What broad subject area is involved in What broad subject area is involved in
your topic? This may depend on what your your topic? This may depend on what your topic is, and how you want to approach it. For topic is, and how you want to approach it. For example, a topic of street gangs may involve example, a topic of street gangs may involve sociology, psychology and criminal justice.sociology, psychology and criminal justice.
Develop a search Develop a search strategystrategy
2. What type of information is needed?2. What type of information is needed? Primary source Primary source Secondary source Secondary source Factual information (statistics, names, dates)Factual information (statistics, names, dates) General reference informationGeneral reference information In-depth informationIn-depth information
Develop a search Develop a search strategystrategy
3. What is needed for the scope of the 3. What is needed for the scope of the assignment?assignment?
More reference material providing More reference material providing more indepth information, or more more indepth information, or more covering more facets of the subject may covering more facets of the subject may be needed when writing a 20-page paper be needed when writing a 20-page paper than when writing a two-minute speech.than when writing a two-minute speech.
Identify information Identify information sourcessources
Primary Sources – these are bodies of Primary Sources – these are bodies of original, uninterpreted information. This is original, uninterpreted information. This is information information beforebefore it has been analyzed, it has been analyzed, edited, interpreted, commented upon, edited, interpreted, commented upon, spun, or repackaged. Examples include spun, or repackaged. Examples include the Bible and the Declaration of the Bible and the Declaration of Independence.Independence.
Identify information Identify information sourcessources
Secondary sources – these interpret, Secondary sources – these interpret, analyze or summarize. They are a analyze or summarize. They are a commentary upon, or analysis of, events, commentary upon, or analysis of, events, ideas, or primary sources. Examples ideas, or primary sources. Examples would include biblical commentaries and would include biblical commentaries and encyclopedias.encyclopedias.
Identify information Identify information sourcessources
Reference sources – encyclopedias Reference sources – encyclopedias provide an overview of topics, key terms provide an overview of topics, key terms and important names to use in future and important names to use in future searches. In addition, encyclopedias searches. In addition, encyclopedias provide references to other sources of provide references to other sources of information. Dictionaries contain information. Dictionaries contain definitions of terms. Statistical sources definitions of terms. Statistical sources provide you with statistical data to provide you with statistical data to substantiate your statements.substantiate your statements.
Identify information Identify information sourcessources
Books synthesize information on a topic and Books synthesize information on a topic and help you see the issue in context. Something to help you see the issue in context. Something to keep in mind is the date that the book was keep in mind is the date that the book was written. A book on psychology written in the written. A book on psychology written in the 1950s may not provide the current thinking in 1950s may not provide the current thinking in the field, but it will provide historic information. the field, but it will provide historic information. On the other hand, a biblical commentary On the other hand, a biblical commentary written in the 1920s is not automatically written in the 1920s is not automatically outdated – it may still provide an authoritative outdated – it may still provide an authoritative and well-respected insight on the material.and well-respected insight on the material.
Identify information Identify information sourcessources
Scholarly journals – inform the reader of Scholarly journals – inform the reader of theories and hypotheses, and provide theories and hypotheses, and provide analysis of original research. Articles are analysis of original research. Articles are usually reviewed and critically evaluated usually reviewed and critically evaluated by experts in the field. They are written in by experts in the field. They are written in a language understood by a scholarly a language understood by a scholarly audience. For example, The Journal of audience. For example, The Journal of Pastoral Care and Counseling.Pastoral Care and Counseling.
Identify information Identify information sourcessources
Professional journals – are intended for Professional journals – are intended for practitioners in applied fields. Their practitioners in applied fields. Their purpose is to keep the reader informed of purpose is to keep the reader informed of the current trends and professional the current trends and professional issues within their area. For example, issues within their area. For example, Worship Leader Magazine, or Worship Leader Magazine, or Youthworker.Youthworker.
Identify information Identify information sourcessources
Popular magazines – provide current Popular magazines – provide current perspectives on issues and cover a wide perspectives on issues and cover a wide variety of topics. Articles are written for a variety of topics. Articles are written for a very general audience and usually lack very general audience and usually lack depth. They may provide a good starting depth. They may provide a good starting point for developing a topic idea. For point for developing a topic idea. For example, Time and Newsweek.example, Time and Newsweek.
Identify information Identify information sourcessources
Newspapers – provide local, national and Newspapers – provide local, national and global information on current events and global information on current events and controversies. Articles are written for a controversies. Articles are written for a very general audience and usually lack very general audience and usually lack depth. These may also provide a starting depth. These may also provide a starting point for further research on a topic of point for further research on a topic of interest. For example, The Omaha interest. For example, The Omaha World-Herald.World-Herald.
Identify information Identify information sourcessources
Internet resources – can provide the Internet resources – can provide the most current news and information on most current news and information on government, companies, educational government, companies, educational institutions and non-profit organizations. institutions and non-profit organizations. Since anyone can publish on the Web, Since anyone can publish on the Web, evaluating the quality and reliability of evaluating the quality and reliability of material found is especially important.material found is especially important.
Identify information Identify information sourcessources
When evaluating web information – keep in mind the When evaluating web information – keep in mind the following:following: Content – What bias could the information contain based Content – What bias could the information contain based
on the author of the site?on the author of the site? Credibility – Is the author identifiable and reliable?Credibility – Is the author identifiable and reliable? Copyright – When was the page last updated?Copyright – When was the page last updated? Critical thinking – Can you apply critical thinking skills, Critical thinking – Can you apply critical thinking skills,
including previous knowledge and experience, to evaluate including previous knowledge and experience, to evaluate the resource? In other words, does it make sense? Can the resource? In other words, does it make sense? Can you validate claims made by using any other source?you validate claims made by using any other source?
Identify information Identify information sourcessources
Audio/Visual resources – materials such Audio/Visual resources – materials such as CDs, DVDs, VHS, audio books, etc., as CDs, DVDs, VHS, audio books, etc., provide valuable primary and secondary provide valuable primary and secondary sources of images and sound.sources of images and sound.
Choosing a database to Choosing a database to searchsearch
A database is a collection of information A database is a collection of information organized and presented so serve a organized and presented so serve a specific purpose. A computerized specific purpose. A computerized database is an updated, organized file of database is an updated, organized file of machine-readable information that can machine-readable information that can be rapidly searched and retrieved. be rapidly searched and retrieved. Library catalogs are databases. Other Library catalogs are databases. Other databases can be found on the library’s databases can be found on the library’s homepage.homepage.
Choosing a database to Choosing a database to searchsearch
Reference sources can be found by searching Reference sources can be found by searching the electronic (online) catalog.the electronic (online) catalog.
Scholarly journals can be found in the library Scholarly journals can be found in the library and by searching the EBSCO databases and and by searching the EBSCO databases and WilsonWeb through the library webpage.WilsonWeb through the library webpage.
Popular magazines can be found in the library Popular magazines can be found in the library or by searching the above databases.or by searching the above databases.
Newspapers may be found online.Newspapers may be found online.
This explains the different search options This explains the different search options when searching the online catalog and when searching the online catalog and how to find library materials using NCC’s how to find library materials using NCC’s online catalog.online catalog.
The online catalog may be accessed at The online catalog may be accessed at the computer located by the library the computer located by the library entrance, or online through the library entrance, or online through the library webpage, whether you are on-campus or webpage, whether you are on-campus or off-campus.off-campus.
There are three options when using the online There are three options when using the online catalog. You can search by:catalog. You can search by: Subject – enter a topic or name to find resources Subject – enter a topic or name to find resources
relating to that subject.relating to that subject. Title – enter the title of a specific resource you are Title – enter the title of a specific resource you are
looking for.looking for. Author – enter the name of the author to see what Author – enter the name of the author to see what
resources the library has written by that author.resources the library has written by that author.
Once you have found an item, you will be Once you have found an item, you will be able to find its location in the library by able to find its location in the library by using its using its ‘call number.’ ‘call number.’ The call number The call number is a code consisting of letters and is a code consisting of letters and numbers.numbers.
The items in the library are arranged The items in the library are arranged according to this code.according to this code.
This is how to read a call number:This is how to read a call number: Books are arranged alphabetically by the Books are arranged alphabetically by the
initial letters: initial letters: HH451 451 HAHA10 10 HDHD76817681 Then numerically by the numbers after the Then numerically by the numbers after the
letters: BRletters: BR59 59 BRBR269 269 BRBR742 742 BRBR10131013 The letters that follow the decimal point are The letters that follow the decimal point are
in alphabetical order: BR12. in alphabetical order: BR12.BB1 BR12.1 BR12.JJ55 The numbers that follow the decimal point The numbers that follow the decimal point
are in decimal order: D84.Bare in decimal order: D84.B462 462 D84.BD84.B5151
There may be a second letter-number There may be a second letter-number combination after the decimal. These should combination after the decimal. These should also be read in alphabetical and then in also be read in alphabetical and then in decimal order.decimal order.
The four numbers at the end of some The four numbers at the end of some records are the publication date, and should records are the publication date, and should be in numeric order: J56.S14 1991 J56.S14 be in numeric order: J56.S14 1991 J56.S14 19951995
Once you have located an item that you Once you have located an item that you would like to check out, you may bring it would like to check out, you may bring it to the circulation area, located at the to the circulation area, located at the counter near the entrance.counter near the entrance.
At the circulation counter you can:At the circulation counter you can: Check out books, videos, and other library Check out books, videos, and other library
materialsmaterials Return library materials you have borrowedReturn library materials you have borrowed Pick up interlibrary loan materials .Pick up interlibrary loan materials .
Finding articles using the Finding articles using the databasesdatabases
The online databases may be accessed The online databases may be accessed by going to the NCC website – by going to the NCC website – www.nechristian.eduwww.nechristian.edu Choose ‘Academics’Choose ‘Academics’
Finding articles using the Finding articles using the databasesdatabases
Using WilsonWeb Search, you will be Using WilsonWeb Search, you will be able to choose able to choose Biographies Plus and/orBiographies Plus and/or OmniFile Full TextOmniFile Full Text
Biographies Plus may be searched by an Biographies Plus may be searched by an individual’s name.individual’s name.
OmniFile Full Text may be searched by a topic OmniFile Full Text may be searched by a topic or keyword.or keyword.
Finding articles using the Finding articles using the databasesdatabases
Using EBSCO, you will be able to chooseUsing EBSCO, you will be able to choose Academic Search Elite and/orAcademic Search Elite and/or Religion and Philosophy CollectionReligion and Philosophy Collection
Full-text articles as well as citations are Full-text articles as well as citations are available on both databases.available on both databases.
Interlibrary loanInterlibrary loan
If you are looking for a resource that is If you are looking for a resource that is not available in the NCC Library you not available in the NCC Library you have the option available to you to use have the option available to you to use an interlibrary loan.an interlibrary loan.
Interlibrary loans are available on both Interlibrary loans are available on both books and articles.books and articles.
Interlibrary loanInterlibrary loan
When requesting a book, please submit When requesting a book, please submit the title, author and ISBN number, if the title, author and ISBN number, if possible.possible.
When requesting an article, please When requesting an article, please submit the article title, author, journal submit the article title, author, journal title, date, journal and volume number if title, date, journal and volume number if known, and page number.known, and page number.
Interlibrary loanInterlibrary loan
All requests may be made with the librarian, All requests may be made with the librarian, whether in person or email. You will be notified whether in person or email. You will be notified when your material is in.when your material is in.
Please keep in mind that it may take a week or Please keep in mind that it may take a week or ten days for the material to arrive. Please plan ten days for the material to arrive. Please plan accordingly.accordingly.
Interlibrary loan material is usually due in four Interlibrary loan material is usually due in four weeks. Please return material to the librarian.weeks. Please return material to the librarian.
Reserve ShelfReserve Shelf
The reserve shelf is located behind the The reserve shelf is located behind the librarian’s desk. It contains books and librarian’s desk. It contains books and resources which have been placed on resources which have been placed on reserve by your instructors. These items reserve by your instructors. These items are for your use in the library and may are for your use in the library and may not be checked out. Please see a not be checked out. Please see a librarian to access these items.librarian to access these items.
Reference BooksReference Books
The reference books are located on the The reference books are located on the shelves along the wall next to the copier, and shelves along the wall next to the copier, and on the shelves parallel to them next to the on the shelves parallel to them next to the aisle.aisle.
Reference books have a call number that begin Reference books have a call number that begin with REF. The call number is located on the with REF. The call number is located on the spine label of the book. spine label of the book.
Reference books may be used in the library, Reference books may be used in the library, but may not be checked out.but may not be checked out.
Library HelpLibrary Help
If at any point in your research you have If at any point in your research you have trouble finding or accessing the trouble finding or accessing the information you need, please ask the information you need, please ask the librarian. The librarian is available librarian. The librarian is available weekdays from 8 am to noon. weekdays from 8 am to noon.
Library staff is available to answer any Library staff is available to answer any questions you may have. questions you may have.
A very special thanks to Harper College A very special thanks to Harper College for their gracious permission to borrow for their gracious permission to borrow content from their tutorial. content from their tutorial.
