Pat's Research Guide: Home

• Define your search! What question are you trying to answer? (You would be surprised how many people start their research without knowing what they are looking for.)
• What search terms are you going to use? (What words would a person use to find this information?)
• Where are you going to look for answers? (Hint: Your instructor has already told you the sources (s)he would like you to use.)

Evaluating Sources!
(Accuracy and Reliability)

• Who created the source? Is the author an expert in their field?
• Has the author included a work cited page, end notes or footnotes that you can check for further information or verify for accuracy?
• Has the source been commercially published? Publication usually means that the source has been fact checked.
• Who is the intended audience?
• Does the author demonstrate a bias?
• What is the date of publication?

Maybe you've found information about the perfect article in one of the databases but there's no full text.  Or you've found the perfect book in the catalog but it's checked out or at the Newtown campus.  You can request a copy of the book or article by submitting an Interlibrary Loan request.  If the book's at Newtown we'll have it sent to LBC or UBC for you, or we'll try to find another library that has the book or article and send it to you.  Be aware though, that if we need to get it from another library the process can take anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks so this isn't something you can do at the last minute.

Below are three very useful links that may help you when it comes to citing your sources. The first two are sample citation guides provided by the College. The third link is a handy web based guide provided by Purdue University which I turn to whenever I have a question about citing a source.

•  MLA Quick Guide PDF
• MLA Documentation PDF
• Purdue OWL: MLA Formatting and Style Guide

Use the Links below to assist you with questions about APA citations:

• APA Quick Guide 7th ed.
• APA Handout 7th ed.

• Purdue OWL: APA Formatting and Style Guide