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Directed Readings

Prof. Vides

  October 4 & 5, 2007

Guide for finding sources at the George T. Potter Library
Leigh Keller lkeller1@ramapo.edu x7316

Irene Kuchta ikuchta@ramapo.edu x7577

• Library Homepage
• Find Books
• Reference Material
• Find Articles (Databases)
• Interlibrary Loan/Journal Finder
• Bibliographies
• Websites

 I. Library Homepage

• Provides access to the catalog (OPAC), databases, interlibrary loan forms, etc.

II. Finding Books at the Potter Library

• Catalog: use this to find books, journal titles NOT ARTICLES, government documents, reserve item, music,and movies owned by the Library. You may limit a search by language, year(s) of publication, type of material, etc. This may take a few seconds to load.

• Search the catalog using Keywords to find material
  • For example: search for nature versus nurture behavior to locate a broad range of material and look for ideas for your project

  OR

  Search the catalog using Subject Browse feature ONLY if you know the Library of Congress Subject Headings

• For example:

Nature and Nurture

Behavior genetics

Genetic psychology

Search all/selected New Jersey College and University Libraries here

To search for the MALS theses: keyword search for "master of arts in liberal studies"

Tips

1. Start with broad searches. It is much easier to discard too much rather than start with too little.
2. If you don't know the Subject Heading, use the Subjects, etc... tab located on the top of a catalog record to get to the headings. This will help you focus in on more relevant material.
3. Can "virtually" browse the shelves by clicking on the call number in a record.

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III. Reference Material

• The reference stacks are located on the 3rd floor (this is also the library's entrance).
• Some useful materials for your projects:

Uniform crime reports for the United States	Online
Contemporary World Issues Series	Ref H31.C76 W253 2002
Opposing Viewpoints Series	Ref H31.O62 C93 2000
Current Controversies Series	Ref H31.C97 H36
Ramapo College Campus Crime Statistics	online

Tips

1. Use reference books to browse for project ideas and to get started on your research.
2. Use the Bibliographies at the end of encyclopedia entries to find more information on your topic.

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IV. Electronic Resources

• Some useful Databases for your projects:

1. Always switch to the Advance Search page in a database. This will give you more control over your results.
2. Always use Boolean Operators-AND, OR, NOT when running a search. For Example: gang and membership and (girl? or wom?n)
3. Always check your Spelling if the database results are Zero.

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V. Interlibrary Loan

Both of these links can be found under QUICK LINKS on the library's homepage.

• Interlibrary Loan: allows students to borrow a book or article that the Potter library does not own. There is a link from the Journal Finder page.

• Journal Finder: this provides information regarding if a journal is available full-text online, in print in the library, or available on microfilm.

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VI. Bibliographies

• Use Citing Sources for examples of "In-Text Citations" and "Works Cited"
• Use the Citing Websites and Print Sources to get call numbers for paper copies of syle manuals.
• For help with writing a thesis: How-to-write-a-thesis

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VII. Web Sources

• Subject Resources

• Evaluating Websites: to determine if the site is authoritative enough to use in your paper.

Dissertation Search: Search some self-published dissertations and download the first 25 pages for free.

United Nations: The official site for the United Nations.

Bureau of Justice Statistics: Information and statistics on criminals, victims, prosecution, law enforcement and more.

Google Scholar: Search for scholarly information on google.

Women's Economic Agenda Project: Information regarding human rights and social justice issues.

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