This blog is written as the thinking activity on Conducting the Research from the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (Seventh addition), activity given by Vaidehi Hariyani Ma'am.
Conducting the Research
The modern academic library provides invaluable resources and guidance for students conducting research. Becoming thoroughly acquainted with your own library is essential. The library's central information system, including the online catalog and various databases, allows you to efficiently search for books, articles, and other relevant sources.
When starting your research, consult reference works like subject-specific indexes and abstracts collections to find citations to sources. Also use reference works like encyclopedias and dictionaries to gain background knowledge on your topic. Search the online catalog for books and other materials the library owns. Look for relevant articles in the library's full-text databases.
In addition to electronic resources, also utilize the library's print collections, microforms, and audio/visual materials as appropriate. Interlibrary loan can obtain items not held locally. Carefully evaluate any web sources recommended on the library website or by your instructor.
Keep organized records of all sources consulted, including complete citation information and dates accessed. This will simplify compiling your working bibliography and final list of works cited. Make use of the library's photocopiers, computers, and other services. The modern academic library contains a wealth of resources to make your research more productive and successful.
The Modern Academic Library
The modern academic library provides students with a wide range of resources and services to support research and learning. Resources include electronic databases, books, print periodicals, microforms, audio/visual materials, and more. Services often include reference assistance from professional librarians, interlibrary loan, photocopying, computer and internet access, and instructional programs.
Librarians acquire and evaluate materials, ensuring the library offers authoritative, high-quality sources. Libraries organize resources systematically, with call numbers to locate print works and robust search capabilities for electronic collections. Getting acquainted with the library's central information system is key for efficient research. The library provides critical guidance for finding relevant sources on any academic topic.
Library Research Sources
Academic libraries make available both electronic and print research sources. Key electronic sources include the online catalog containing records for all of the library's holdings, bibliographic and full-text databases, and selected high-quality web resources. Important print sources are books, print periodicals like scholarly journals, and microform collections of older newspapers and journals.
References works such as indexes, abstracts, encyclopedias, and dictionaries help researchers gain background knowledge on topics and identify relevant sources to consult. The online catalog and databases allow searching by author, title, keywords, and subject headings to precisely locate books, articles, and other materials. Keeping organized records of sources consulted facilitates later bibliography compilation. Libraries organize vast information resources for productive academic research.
The Central Information System
The central information system allows researchers to efficiently locate sources in the library's collections. This online system typically includes the library catalog containing records for all holdings, bibliographic databases indexing journal articles and other publications, full-text article databases, and links to selected high-quality web resources. Researchers can search by author, title, keywords, subject headings, and other criteria to precisely identify relevant books, articles, and materials. The central system is a powerful tool for academic research.
Reference Works
Reference works provide important background information to assist with research. Different types include:
- Indexes and abstracts - help identify published sources on a topic
- Encyclopedias and dictionaries - give overview knowledge about topics
- Biographical sources - provide information on prominent persons
- Statistical resources - supply numerical and quantitative data
Reference works summarize existing knowledge, describe the literature of a subject area, and point researchers to sources for further reading. They are available in both print and electronic formats. Consulting relevant reference works is a key early step when starting any new research project.
The Online Catalog of Library Holdings
The online catalog contains records for all the materials held by the library, including books, journals, audio/visuals, and more. Researchers can search by author, title, keywords, subject headings, and call numbers to precisely locate items. The catalog provides call numbers to find resources on the shelves and bibliographic data to cite sources. Online catalogs allow limiting searches by publication year, language, format, and other criteria. They are indispensable for identifying relevant library materials.
Full-Text Databases
Libraries subscribe to databases providing the complete text of sources like scholarly journal articles, newspapers, magazines, and books. Full-text databases allow searching by keywords, author, title, and subject. They facilitate access to up-to-date primary sources without locating print publications. Full-text collections like JSTOR archive older journal content. Sources found in databases can be printed, downloaded, or cited immediately. Full-text databases expand access to current scholarship for researchers.
Other Library Resources and Services
Beyond electronic and print collections, academic libraries offer additional valuable resources like:
- Microforms containing newspapers, journals, and rare materials
- Media centers with audio/visual sources
- Computer workstations with software and internet access
- Photocopying and scanning services
- Interlibrary loan to obtain materials not held locally
- Taking advantage of these services supports efficient and productive research.
Web Sources
Libraries often recommend selected, high-quality web resources relevant to academic research. These may include digital collections, e-journals, authoritative sites, and scholarly databases. Using internet sources calls for careful evaluation. Record URLs, cite properly, note access dates. While helpful, web sources should supplement other research materials.
Summing Up
Thoroughly exploring your academic library is the key to effective research. Master available resources: the catalog and databases, reference works, print and electronic collections. Seek guidance from librarians. Keep organized records. Use services for accessing materials, copying, interlibrary loan, and more. The library provides the best path to finding authoritative sources on any scholarly topic.
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