Useful Online Databases

Find links to these under the eResources 2.0 page

Remember that you can access all of our eResources off campus

 

Academic Search Complete

Blackwell Synergy (aka Wiley Interscience)

Communication and Mass Media Complete

Newsbank

Newspaper Source Plus

OMNIFILE/MEGA

Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center

Project Muse

PsycARTICLES

Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection

JSTOR

 

 

Useful Reference Resources (Print)

The following are only an example the resources found in the library’s Reference section

 

Battleground: The Media                                                                                              R 302.23 B336 2008

Encyclopedia of Political Revolutions                                                                      R 320.03 E567 1998

Encyclopedia of Propaganda                                                                                      R 303.375 E56 1998

International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences                                                R 300.3 I61 2008

 

 

Evaluation Criteria

Use these questions to tell whether a source is reliable

 

§  Who is the author of this information?

Does the author have any sort of authority regarding the topic? Why they are presenting this information? Be aware that the author might have some sort of bias or alternative goal of misinformation.  

§  When was the information published?

If the information is a book or article, check the copyright date to make sure that the information is up to date. A good website always indicates when the page was last updated. Out of date information is just as bad as information that is completely false. 

§  Where was the information located?

Check the type of book, magazine, or URL. A scholarly journal or book has stricter standards than popular books or magazines. If the website is affiliated with a recognized academic institution or organization, then it will usually be more trustworthy than a personal site.

§  Is the information accurate?

Does the author(s) provide a list of where they got their information? These lists allow you to verify their research, along with providing you with additional resources pertaining to your topic.

 

 

Popular VS Scholarly (Peer-Reviewed) Sources

Usually you can look at the following areas to make your decision.

 

§  Publisher

Is the publisher a professional organization or association? Is the publisher affiliated with an academic institution?

§  Graphics

Are the graphics tables, diagrams or other illustrations which support the articles? Or are they glossy photos/illustrations that enhance the text?

§  Language

Is the terminology used in the titles or abstracts particular to that specific discipline? Or is the subject explained in common terms?

§  Authors

Does it list the authors’ credentials and affiliations with the profession? Or are the authors professional/ freelance journalists?

§  Citations

Is there a list of cited works at the end of each article?

§  Advertisements

Are there advertisements related only to that discipline or do they refer to national products? (e.g. a national conference or Michelin tires?)

 

 

Help Using the library

Library’s website- http://www.bridgewater.edu/library

§  Find library hours, and access all of our electronic resources, which are also available off campus!

Library’s Blog- http://www.theunclassifiedlibrary.blogspot.com

§  Keep up to date with library events, and new resources

Library’s Wiki- http://www.alexmacklibrary.pbwiki.com

§   “How Tos” outlining how to use a number of our library resources

§  Subject resource guides for the major disciplines.

§  Video tutorials take you step by step through using our most popular resources

 

 

Contacting a Librarian

Reference Desk: 828-5642 or reference@bridgewater.edu

My contact information: 828-5415 or cbiddle@bridgewater.edu