Introduction to
Library Research
George Mason University
Arlington Campus Library
April Kelley, Reference Assistant
Spring 2007
Workshop Agenda
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GMU Libraries Overview
Access Services (Circulation)
Reference Sources
GMU Online Resources
Subject Specific Resources
Conducting Research
Review
Questions?
GMU Libraries Overview
University Libraries consists of the following:
• Arlington Campus Library (Arlington)
• Pre-1983 bound journals, European Union Documents
• Fenwick Library (Fairfax)
• Periodicals, Government Documents
• Johnson Center Library (Fairfax)
• Media, Music and Education materials
• Mercer Library (Prince William Campus)
• Biotechnology, Health & Fitness, Criminal Justice
• Law School Library (Arlington Campus)
Arlington Campus Library:
• Computers:
• 30 Internet Access Only terminals
• 2 CD-ROM stations (1 software specific)
• Media:
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2 TV stations with DVD/VHS player
1 CD player
2 Microform readers
Television with DVD/VHS player for group viewing
• Assistive Technology Room:
• Equipped with software to help patrons with disabilities
conduct library research
• Contact: Kristine Neuber, Instructional & Assistive Technology
Coordinator, at kneuber@gmu.edu or (703) 993-2143
Access Services (Circulation)
• Borrowing circulating materials:
• Activate/register your ID barcode
• Loan period: 6 weeks for graduate students (items may be recalled
after 4 weeks)
• Renewals: 3
• Hold/Recall item in catalog that is already checked out
• Fines: $.25/day regular circulating, $5.00/day for requested or
reserved materials
• Document Delivery:
• InterCampus Lending (ICL)
• Consortium Loan Services (CLS)
• Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
Reference Services
• Reference Staff
• Marissa Cachero Stone, Liaison Librarian
• ICAR, Initiatives in Education Transformation, Social Work
• LeRoy LaFleur, Head of Arlington Campus Library and Liaison Librarian
• Public & International Affairs, Public Policy, Nonprofit Management
• April Kelley, Reference Assistant
• Services
• Reference and research assistance
• Instruction
• Collection Development
• Online Reference
• aclref@gmu.edu
• iMasonLibraries: Instant message research help
• E-mail a librarian
GMU Online Library Resources
•University Libraries Website:
•http://library.gmu.edu/
•Library Catalogs
•GMU
•WRLC
•Databases
•E-Journal Finder
•E-Requests
•E-Reserves
Subject Specific Resources
• Databases
• Arranged by subject and alphabetically
• Research Guides & Web Guides
• Library website: http://library.gmu.edu
• “Help with Research”
• Library Research Guides
• Library Web Guides
• Research Appointments & Consultations (with a
liaison librarian)
Library Catalogs
Searching for Books and Other Materials:
• The GMU library catalog contains
materials owned by the University
Libraries (As well as holdings for the Law Library
and the Institute for Humane Studies)
• The catalog can be searched by keyword,
title, author, call number, journal title,
ISBN, or OCLC number
• By setting the search limits, you can
narrow down your results by location,
medium, language, etc.
• The catalog is publicly accessible from
anywhere with an internet connection
Library Catalogs
• Searching for materials outside of Mason:
• As a member of the Washington Research Library
Consortium (WRLC), students and faculty have access
to local research libraries.
• Search ALADIN, the WRLC catalog, when the item you
need is unavailable through the Mason catalog.
• Participating Libraries:
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American University
Catholic University
Gallaudet University
George Mason University
George Washington University
Georgetown University
Marymount University
Trinity College
University of the District of Columbia
Databases: Searching for Articles
• University Libraries provides access
to about 500 databases that can be
searched online
• A database can contain citations,
citations with abstracts, and/or full
text articles from magazines,
journals, newspapers and book
chapters
• To access the database portal on
campus, click on “databases” on the
library’s website
Databases: Accessing From Off-campus
• Access to databases is
limited to GMU students,
faculty, and staff
• To access a restricted
database, click on the
database to log-in using
your e-mail username and
password.
Conducting Research
Tips for success:
• Pick a topic that interests you
• Formulate your thesis or research
question
• Determine if there is enough information
available on your topic
• Books: good for historical information up to
the date of publication
• Articles: have most recent, up-to-date
information
• Find as much background information as
possible on your topic
• Look in encyclopedias, handbooks, and
historical articles
• Choose your initial search terms (keywords)
Conducting Research
Searching:
• Develop a list of alternative terminology for your main
concepts
• These terms can be broader, narrower, related, or even
the opposite of what you are searching for
• Consult a thesaurus
• Use the Advanced Search option, if available
• This search screen will give you features that aren’t
available from the Basic Search screen
Conducting Research
Boolean Operators
Use Boolean Operators to create different
combinations of your search terms
A
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A
B
B
B
AND – will result in a set of records
containing all of the terms you specify
OR – will result in a set of records
containing any of the terms you specify.
They will not necessarily be contained in
the same record. This will be a larger set
of records.
NOT – will result in a set of records
excluding terms that you specify.
Conducting Research
• Use nesting, which allows for the search logic to
work properly if you’re using different Boolean
operators in the same search statement
• “Nest” similar terms (synonyms) within
parentheses – this will broaden your search and
give you more results
• Example:
Disaster relief and (New Orleans or Louisiana)
Conducting Research
• Use truncation, which allows for variant endings of a
term (all of which may be relevant to your topic)
• Truncation symbols include: ?, *, $, #
• Use with care – truncating too soon may result in false
hits!
• Examples:
• Good:
• Teen* = teen, teens, teenage, teenaged,
teenager, teenagers
• Bad:
• Viol* = viola, violent, violence, violet, violin
Conducting Research
• Sample Search Statements
• Basic
conflict resolution
conflict and resolution
• Advanced
(conflict resolution or arbitration or mediation)
and (Darfur or Sudan or Africa)
and (peace and (agreement? or negotiation? or accord?))
Review: Conducting Research
• Once you have a set of results, evaluate the usefulness of the
materials in your list.
• Review the descriptors or subject terms for additional terms
to try. Search these terms limiting to the corresponding field
to obtain a set of relevant materials.
• Obtain the materials that you think will be useful to you.
• You can often download, e-mail, or print materials from the
databases.
• Use E-Journal Finder to locate full text online
• Search the GMU and/or WRLC catalog(s) for print copies of
journals
• Use the different document delivery options to retrieve
materials that aren’t readily available (ICL, CLS, and ILL).
Review: Conducting Research
• Using Information
• Avoid plagiarism
• Keep careful records of all sources you use
• Note the dates that you accessed materials online.
You will need them for your citations.
• Consider using EndNote software to help with your
record keeping, citations, and bibliography.
• Rephrase ideas into your own words
• Important – Give proper credit
• Use the citation format specified by your program
(APA, MLA, Chicago, or Turabian)
Questions?
• Contact me:
• Phone:
• Reference desk: (703) 993-8230
• My extension: (703) 993-8057
• E-Mail:
• aclref@gmu.edu
• akelley3@gmu.edu