Before Starting Your Research
Do the Following
- Gather your UT Southern I.D. card and set up your library record.
- Make sure you are entered into our EZproxy system for off-campus database access.
- Do not hesitate to ask the library staff for assistance.
Need ideas for a research topic?
- Consult a subject-specific research guide
- Go to the reference section and find a subject-specific encyclopedia to browse.
- Oxford Encyclopedia of American Literature R 810.3 O 98
- Reader’s Guide to American History R 973 R 286p
- CQ Researcher or Opposing Viewpoints In Context are good sources for pro-con papers.
- Check your class textbook.
- Consult class notes.
Ready to begin?
- Check the library catalog, the OPAC, to see what titles the library has available.
- Check our eBook Collection.
- Check the print journals and electronic journals lists on the library website to see if the library has access to the journal articles you are interested in.
- Make sure you know the journal you choose is one that your professor will find acceptable (Peer Reviewed vs. Popular)
- Look for a database that may help in your search. The library has several subject-specific (Bloom’s Literature) and some comprehensive ones (SocINDEX).
- If you have enough time you may also make use of ILL (Inter-Library Loan) to obtain books and journal articles that are either checked out or not available in the library.
- For a helpful brochure you can print and fold, click here.
Contact Us for More Information
- Chris VanDoran cvandora@utsouthern.edu
- Richard Madden rmadden3@utsouthern.edu.
How to Evaluate Websites
It is essential for every good researcher to check sources for accuracy and reliability before publishing or submitting a research paper or project. Many guidelines have been written about evaluating websites. All have the following criteria in common:
Accuracy
- Can you find this information in other places?
- Is the information reliable and free of errors?
Authority
- Who is the author or creator?
- Is the author associated with a reputable organization or university?
- Can the author be contacted from the website?
- Is there a list of sources used or recommended by the author?
- Is the URL domain non-commercial?
Content
- Is the information presented without bias?
- Is the information covered well?
- Is the information relevant to your topic?
Currency
- Does the page include the date it was created?
- Has the information been updated?
Accessibility
- Is the page easy to search?
- Does the page download quickly?
- Is the information well-organized
Interlibrary Loan
The Warden Memorial Library is a full lender on OCLC. Our symbol is TNG. We also accept ILL requests by mail using the ALA form, and by phone with a follow-up written version for our records.
ILL services are available free to faculty, staff, and spouses, except for any fees charged by the lending library. For university-related items, faculty and staff may charge fees to their departmental accounts.
Complete and return to Chris VanDoran.