Library Guides: COMM 100 Webber: Find books

In the research process: BOOKS

1. Explore topic context & primary sources (the open web)

2. Learn the background (library catalog: books)

3. Scholarly conversations (library databases: journal articles)

4. Support your argument (source citation)

5. Rinse, repeat; drafts & revisions (research librarians, writing center)

Using WorldCat Discovery to find books on a research topic

Keywords: Dominion voting system Rudy Guiliani libel and slander

politics civil case defamation

Start out using a broad-to-narrow keyword search strategy. Use one or two umbrella keywords to get a big number of results. Narrow your results by adding one or two more keywords.

1. Libel and slander provides over 15,000 results!

2. Limit to Books = 6,000+

3. Narrow results by adding civil cases = 81 results

4. Look at the book: In Sullivan's shadow by Edmonson.

5. Review Table of Contents, Location, Status, and Call Number.

6. Copy the call number of this book and use the Call Number Locator tool to find it.

7. Citation Generator & Permalink

Quick poll

Books are excellent scholarly sources for finding ________ on a topic.

New original research studies: 6 votes (10.71%)

Background information: 44 votes (78.57%)

Government information: 1 votes (1.79%)

Statistical data: 5 votes (8.93%)

Total Votes: 56

Quick poll

Identify the 3 key concepts in this research question: "How do ocean temperatures influence the migration patterns of great white sharks?"

ocean temperatures, influence, great white sharks: 9 votes (9.68%)

ocean temperatures, migration patterns, great white sharks: 81 votes (87.1%)

influence, migration patterns, great white sharks: 2 votes (2.15%)

how do, influence: 1 votes (1.08%)

Total Votes: 93

Call Number Locator

The call number of a library item is similar to a home address.

Copy and paste any call number you find in WorldCat Discovery to see where it lives in the library.