The University of Dayton's library is a comprehensive resource for students, faculty, and staff, offering a wide range of materials, services, and tools to support academic success. To help users navigate the library's vast collections and services, we have compiled 10 tips for better research, highlighting the most effective strategies for finding, evaluating, and utilizing information.
Understanding the Library’s Collections
The University of Dayton’s library boasts an extensive collection of over 1.3 million volumes, including books, journals, databases, and digital resources. To make the most of these resources, it is essential to understand the library’s classification system, which uses the Library of Congress Classification (LCC) system to organize materials by subject. Familiarizing yourself with the LCC system will enable you to quickly locate relevant materials and expand your research capabilities. Additionally, the library’s online catalog, Discovery, provides a user-friendly interface for searching and accessing library materials, including e-books, articles, and digital media.
Navigating the Library’s Website
The University of Dayton’s library website is a valuable resource, offering access to a wide range of tools, services, and resources. The website features a prominent search bar, allowing users to quickly search the library’s collections, as well as links to popular databases, research guides, and tutorials. Utilizing the library’s website can help you streamline your research process, providing easy access to essential resources and services. Furthermore, the website’s Ask a Librarian feature enables users to receive personalized research assistance from library staff, either in person, by phone, or via email.
| Library Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| Discovery | The library's online catalog, providing access to books, articles, and digital media |
| Research Guides | Subject-specific guides, featuring recommended resources and search strategies |
| Databases | A wide range of databases, including academic journals, newspapers, and digital media |
Developing Effective Search Strategies
Conducting effective searches is a critical component of the research process, requiring a combination of keyword selection, search operators, and database selection. Using Boolean operators, such as AND, OR, and NOT, can help you refine your search results, while truncation and wildcard searching can expand your search capabilities. Additionally, utilizing subject headings and keywords can help you identify relevant materials and stay focused on your research topic.
Evaluating Sources
Evaluating sources is a crucial step in the research process, requiring careful consideration of factors such as authority, relevance, and accuracy. Assessing the credibility of sources is essential, taking into account the author’s expertise, the publication’s reputation, and the date of publication. Furthermore, considering multiple perspectives can help you develop a more nuanced understanding of your research topic, while identifying biases can enable you to evaluate sources more critically.
| Source Evaluation Criterion | Description |
|---|---|
| Authority | The author's expertise and qualifications |
| Relevance | The source's relevance to your research topic |
| Accuracy | The source's accuracy and reliability |
Organizing and Citing Sources
Organizing and citing sources is a critical component of the research process, requiring careful attention to detail and adherence to established citation styles. Utilizing citation management tools, such as Zotero or EndNote, can help you organize your sources, format your citations, and create a bibliography. Additionally, understanding the basics of citation styles, such as MLA, APA, or Chicago, can enable you to properly cite your sources and avoid plagiarism.
Avoiding Plagiarism
Avoiding plagiarism is essential in academic research, requiring careful attention to proper citation and attribution. Paraphrasing and summarizing sources can help you avoid plagiarism, while quoting sources directly can provide additional context and support for your arguments. Furthermore, utilizing plagiarism detection tools can help you identify potential instances of plagiarism and ensure the originality of your work.
What is the best way to find academic articles on a specific topic?
+The best way to find academic articles on a specific topic is to use the library’s databases, such as JSTOR or EBSCO, and search for relevant keywords and subject headings. You can also use the library’s online catalog, Discovery, to search for articles and other materials.
How do I evaluate the credibility of a source?
+To evaluate the credibility of a source, consider factors such as the author’s expertise, the publication’s reputation, and the date of publication. You can also assess the source’s authority, relevance, and accuracy, and consider multiple perspectives to develop a more nuanced understanding of the topic.
What is the best way to organize my sources and create a bibliography?
+The best way to organize your sources and create a bibliography is to use a citation management tool, such as Zotero or EndNote, which can help you format your citations and create a bibliography in a variety of citation styles.
