Longwood University

How do I conduct research on a subject?

If you have a subject topic and would like help in conducting research, visit the Information Desk, contact us at 434.395.2435, email your question to us via our Ask a Librarian service, or send an instant message to the Reference Librarian on duty.

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If you want to work on your own, use our online database subject guides. Another popular place to start research is in the Library Catalog. Here you can search for books, journals, microfilm, government documents, and other resources. We also have a growing collection of video demos that show how to use library resources and services.

How do I find books for my research?

Search the Library Catalog and follow the on-screen instructions to find what we books we have and where they are located. If you have a specific book in mind, you can do a title or an author search. If you are just starting to look for information about your topic, you should consider a Keyword or Subject Heading search. (View the library catalog demo.)

How do I find articles for my research?

Finding periodical articles is basically a two-step process.

1. Use the appropriate database or index to identify citations and abstracts for articles on a particular topic.
2. Locate the actual article for which you have a citation, which means finding the periodical in the library.

Search the library’s index/abstract databases when you're looking for newspaper, magazine, or journal articles. Index/abstract databases find journal articles that will be relevant to your research topic.

• Go to the Databases A-Z page.
  • DO NOT go to the library catalog. You cannot find articles using the library catalog.
• The indexes are listed alphabetically as well as by subject. If you are unsure which databases to try, begin by browsing the Databases by Subject list. Sometimes it is necessary to search several different databases depending on your topic.  If you are not sure which database(s) to use, please consult the reference librarian.
• Once you have selected an index/abstract database, follow the on-screen instructions. Note what time period the database covers and whether it offers citations, abstracts, or full-text. 
• When you enter search terms, the index will retrieve a list of citations to articles on your topic. These "citations" display the author and title of the article, and the title, volume, date and page number of the magazine or journal in which the article appeared. Sometimes an "abstract", or summary, and the full-text of the article are also provided.
• Once you identify articles that you want to read, the next step is to locate the actual article. In some cases the full-text of the article will be available on-line from the database you are using.

How do I find out if the Library carries a journal?

Search the Library Catalog to find out if the Library owns the periodical or journal title you are seeking in print or electronic format. To locate a journal, follow these steps:

• Go to the Library Catalog
• Select “Journal Finder” and follow the on-screen instructions. (View the Journal Finder video demo.)

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Search the “Journal Finder” directly from the index/abstract database you’re currently using. Many of our index/abstract databases provide direct links to our “Journal Finder Search.” Select the button or “Search for full-text” icon in the database you are using and follow the on-screen instructions. (View the FindIt! button video demo.)

How do I cite sources for my research project?

The instructor of your course should tell you what style he/she requires. Different academic disciplines require different formats for citation styles. Some of the more common styles are

• MLA (Modern Language Association)
• APA (American Psychological Association)
• APA Electronic References
• CBE (Council of Biology Editors)
• ASA (American Sociological Association)
• Turabian
• University of Chicago Press

Click on the links of the titles listed above to view the location and availability of the Library’s print copies.

The Library also provides links to online guides to citation styles and a web-based citation composer tool called RefWorks. Longwood’s Writing Center also provides excellent assistance in all aspects of your research paper writing.

How do I evaluate web sites?

Accuracy

• Is the site well researched and information properly cited?
• Are facts and statistics documented?
• Can the information be verified in other sources?
• Is the document well written and constructed (grammar, spelling)?

Authority

• Can you identify the author/sponsor?
• Is there contact information provided?
• What are the qualifications or credentials of the author/sponsor?  What is the institutional affiliation?
• Is copyright clearly stated where applicable? 

Objectivity

• Are the goals/aims of the author/sponsor presenting the material clearly stated?
• Are there biases in the document?
• Where is the web site?  gov, edu, .org? com?
• If the site is interactive, are you informed about how any information you give will be used?

Currency

• When was the site last updated?   Are the links also up-to-date?

Coverage

• How does the information compare with other sources available on the topic?
• What is the reading level of the material?
• Are there references or links to more information?

Listed below are some of the guidelines that are available on the Web.

• Evaluating Web Pages
• The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, or Why It's a Good Idea to Evaluate Web Sources
• Thinking Critically about World Wide Web Resources