 THE
SEARCH STRATEGY
an Information
Literacy Guide from
Delaware
Technical
&
Community College Libraries
The
Search
Strategy
/ Resources / Conclusion
 Objective
Library
research can take many forms, involve many sources of information, and
take time. Therefore, you
should begin with an organized approach -- the search strategy.
The objective of this guide is to introduce you to information
gathering tools and help you create a plan for research.
Resources
unique to Delaware Technical & Community College Libraries will be
emphasized. However, the skills you learn here will apply to using any
library anywhere. Specifically,
you will
become
familiar with: online library catalogs (Delaware Library Catalog),
database access
to periodical articles (EBSCOhost), the Internet, and print resources.
Also, you will learn where to obtain information on evaluation,
citation and ethical use of information. A list of sources which
could be used to write a
research paper or presentation will
demonstrate your knowledge of these information
literacy skills. Optional
worksheet (PDF).
Please note: To view some of the following files you must have Adobe
Reader. It can be downloaded free of charge. Also note:
Not all of the libraries' online resources are accessible off-campus
unless you are logged into MyDTCC.
The Search
Strategy
These steps are one
recommendation:
- Choose and define a
topic. Ask these questions: does the topic interest you? is
there enough material on it? and can you study it seriously in the time
allowed? Write your topic as a statement (or question) and choose
keywords from that phrase. List synonyms, narrower and broader terms as
well. You will use these keywords as search terms.
- For background material on
your
topic, read an article in a general encyclopedia. Refine your
topic enough to be searchable.
- Find books on your topic by
searching an online library catalog.
- Find articles in
periodicals.
The best way to find articles is to use a periodical index (database).
- Use additional
sources. At some point in your research you may need to use
specialized reference books, the Internet or other electronic resources
for more information.
- Evaluate your sources for
accuracy,
authority, coverage, currency, objectivity and purpose. Based on
results, you may have to repeat part of your search. If you have
too much information, you may need to make your topic more
specific. Or, if you do not have enough information, try
broadening your topic.
- Write
the paper or
presentation
with proper citations. Be sure to write down all necessary
information needed to document your sources. Many instructors
require APA format. Remember: If you use another person's idea or
words and do not give her/him credit by giving proper citations, you
are
committing plagiarism.
Back
to: Top
Resources
Links
to helpful information are
listed
below. Of course the Librarians and staff at Delaware Tech
Libraries are happy to help you as
well.
How do I choose a topic?
Research Topic Tips (PDF)
Delaware
Tech Hot Topics
Best
Information on the Net - Hot Paper Topics (O'Keefe Library,
St. Ambrose University)
Where do I find a general
encyclopedia
for a background article?
Delaware Tech Online
Databases>EBSCOhost>EBSCOhost Web>
Other online
encyclopedias are available, usually by subscription.
Print format
general
encyclopedias are found under call number AE 5
Where and how do I find books at
Delaware Tech?
Delaware
Library Catalog--Delaware Tech's
Online Library Catalog
Library
Catalogs Tutorial (includes Delaware Library Catalog) (PDF)
Introduction to the Delaware
Library Catalog (Flash Video)
Where do I find books from
libraries not listed in the Delaware Library Catalog?
Delaware
Library Association (DLA) Directory
Library of Congress
Regional, National and
International via LIBWEB
How can I have books sent from
other
Delaware Library Catalog libraries?
How to
request an item from the Delaware Library Catalog (PDF)
How can I have books sent from
libraries outside of the Delaware Library Catalog?
Request for
items not found in the Delaware Library Catalog
Where and how do I find a
periodical
article?
Delaware Tech Online
Databases--EBSCOhost
Periodicals Tutorial (includes
EBSCOhost)
(PDF)
Introduction to
EBSCOhost (Flash Video)
How can I have periodical
articles sent
from other Delaware Tech libraries?
Request for
Periodical Articles Located at Other DTCC libraries
How can I have periodical
articles sent
from other libraries?
Request for
Periodical Articles Not Owned by DTCC Libraries
What if I need specialized
reference
books?
Lists of Specialized Reference Books
by Delaware
Tech College Technologies (PDF)
All technologies have specialized reference
books. Campus Librarians can help with
recommendations.
How do I use reference books?
The key to using
a
reference book is to consult its index first.
"How to use this
book"
sections are provided in most reference books to provide assistance.
Reference Sources (PDF)
Where do I find reliable web
pages on
my topic?
Delaware Tech's Hot
Topics
Delaware
Tech's Tech Topics
Best Information on
the Net - Alphabetical Index (O'Keefe Library, St. Ambrose
University)
Where can I learn more about
searching
the Internet?
Introduction
to the Internet (PDF)
University at Albany
Libraries Internet Tutorials
How do I evaluate my information?
Evaluating
Web Pages (from Widener University)
Delaware
Tech Libraries Types of Periodicals
Web
Page Evaluation
Guidelines
Evaluating
Information Sources (PDF)
How do I narrow or broaden my
topic?
Delaware
Tech Libraries Narrow or Broaden Your Topic (PDF)
How can I use my search terms
more effectively?
Boolean
Searching and Truncation (PDF)
Where can I find help with writing
my
paper or presentation?
Writing Center at
Delaware Tech Stanton Campus: Room B 125 phone: (302) 453-3707
Writing Center at Delaware Tech Wilmington Campus: Room W 264 phone:
(302) 573-5442
Academic Center, Terry Building at Delaware Tech Terry Campus: Room 218
phone: (302)
857-1237
Learning Center, Arts and Science Building at Delaware Tech Owens
Campus: Room 336 phone:
(302) 855-5949
Online Writing Lab at Purdue
University
Capital Community
College
Guide to Grammar and Writing
Are
there other online research sources?
Virtual Library Resources
(Purdue University)
Refdesk.com
WWW Virtual Library General
Reference
How would I cite my sources in
APA
format?
APA Style.org (electronic
references)
Delaware Tech
APA
Citation Style Guide (PDF)
All four
Delaware
Tech campus libraries have copies of the Publication Manual of the
American
Psychological
Association, 5th edition
(call number: BF76.7 .P83 2001)
How
do I write an annotated bibliography?
Annotated Bibliographies
(PDF)
How do I avoid
plagiarism?
Plagiarism
Tutorial, Paul Robeson Library, Rutgers University (requires
RealPlayer Video)
Plagiarism
101, Tutorial from the University of Albany Library
What is Delaware
Tech's policy on academic dishonesty?
Student
Handbook (definition of plagiarism is on p.16)
Back to: Top
/ The
Search
Strategy / Resources
Conclusion
You
will know you are successful if you have correctly obtained the
information listed below:
- A topic
statement/question and keywords.
- The
citation
information for one book from a Delaware Tech Library.
- The
citation
information for one full text article on your topic from
EBSCOhost.
- The URL
and
date
accessed for one Internet site on your topic.
- The URL
and
date
accessed for one link on evaluating your information.
- The URL
and
date
accessed for one link on using APA format citations.
Of
course, the quality of your
future
research papers is the true evaluation of success!
Back to: Top
/ The
Search
Strategy / Resources
Delaware Tech College Home Page Delaware Tech
Libraries' Home Page
Delaware
Technical
& Community College
Stanton Campus
Library,
Room D203
400
Stanton-Christiana Rd.
Newark DE 19713 (302) 454-3970
Aurelia Simon, Electronic Resources Librarian Comments? Questions? asimon4@dtcc.edu
©
2003-2009
page last updated January 2009
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