Useful eResources

Find links to these under the eResources 2.0 page

Academic Search Complete

ARTstor

Encyclopedia Britannica

JSTOR

MLA International Bibliography

Literature Resource Center

Useful Reference Resources (Print)

Catholic Encyclopedia- R 203 C493 1907

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography- R 920.041 O98

Twentieth Century Literature Criticism- R 809.04 T971

Contemporary Literary Criticism- R 809.04 C761

Encyclopedia of Religion- 200.3 E561 2005

The Corsini Encyclopedia of Psychology and Behavioral Science- 150.3 C826e 2001

British Writers- R 820.9 B862 1984

Masterplots- R 808.8 M423 1996

American Writers- R 810 A512 1996

Masterplots II: World Fiction Series- R 808.8 M4232w 1987

Tips to Keep in Mind While Searching

Databases

§  Each database has its own way of organizing and searching information, so remember to check the help feature before beginning any search

§  Look for ways to narrow or limit your results (this can weed out a lot of false hits)

§  See if the database has a list of subject terms you can use instead of a keyword search. (They are standardized so you don’t have to worry about synonyms or homographs)

§  After you find one useful article check the subjects or keywords attached to it. This can lead you to more efficient search terms.

§  Remember that Periodical Locator can find the full text of articles in varying databases.

When you come across materials you need but we don’t have full text access, fill out an Interlibrary Loan request (just remember to allow 1-2 weeks for delivery).

Search Tips that Span the Information Universe

§  Remember to use Boolean Operators

o   AND will produce results containing BOTH terms (e.g. birds AND bees)

o   OR generates results that  contain EITHER term (e.g. dogs OR canines)

o   NOT results will include the first term, but not the second (cats NOT musical)

§  Quotation marks will isolate that phrase: “natural selection” lists results containing only that specific phrase, but results for natural selection would contain natural AND selection somewhere, not necessarily side by side.

§  Truncation allows you to search for variances of terms. Astro* gives you results which can include the terms: astronomer, astronomy, astrology, astronaut, etc. Some database’s use different symbols, so check their help features.

Tips on Evaluating Sources (Print and Web)

Review the following characteristics:

                Currency

                                Is the information current or up to date?

                Point of View

                                Is the information biased in any way? Is it trying to misinform the reader?

                Authorship/Accountability

                                Does the writer have any authority on the topic? What are his/her credentials?

                Publication

In what publication is the information contained? What are the submission policies? For websites, check the domain name: .org and .edu are typically better than .net or .com.

                Audience

                                To whom is the information geared? Scholars or general audiences?

                Accuracy/Verifiability

Does the information appear accurate? Can it be verified or corroborated by another reliable source? Does the author provide a bibliography?

Additional Information

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

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

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