Writing 122: English Composition
Library research resources

Instructor: Patty Wilde
Spring Term 2008

Librarian: Robin Shapiro (robin.shapiro@pcc.edu)

PCC account number

Your PCC account number (example: g01234567) is your ID within the PCC library. You will need it to check out books and videos, to have books and articles sent from other libraries, and to search article databases from off-campus.

Magazine, newspaper, and journal articles

Magazine Articles Online (EBSCOhost) - Many magazine article databases are available through EBSCOhost. In each case some of the articles will be available in full text . Others will have a summary only, with details about where to find the complete article. You can choose one database or search several at once. The MasterFILE Premier and Academic Search Premier databases are good starting points for many topics.
Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe - Full text articles news articles and transcripts from around the world.

Web searching

Google Advanced Search - Make your search more specific by using the domain limit. Nonprofit organizations (.org) frequently have a point of view; make sure you know what it is!
Librarian's Internet Index - A great source of carefully selected, useful, reliable web sites.

PCC Library Catalog

Search the online catalog for books and videos in the PCC Library. You can repeat your search in Summit . Summit is a combined catalog of the academic libraries in Oregon and Washington, including University of Oregon and University of Washington. Request books online and receive them at Rock Creek in 2-4 days. Please use Summit only after you have checked the PCC library catalog!

The catalog can also help you determine if PCC subscribes to a specific magazine, but you cannot use it to find articles in the magazine. Check the A to Z list of periodicals for a complete list of print and electronic journal and magazine holdings.

Search tips for the library catalog

Type and between your key words and phrases. For example, advertising and children

Use the truncation symbol * (shift + 8 on the keyboard) to expand your search. For example,child*
(this search will find the words child, children, childhood, but also childish.)

If you find a good book on your topic, you can find similar ones by clicking on the subject links listed at the bottom of the record. For example, do a key word search on advertising and children. One of the books you find is Born to buy : the commercialized child and the new consumer culture. Scroll down to see the subject links Child consumers -- United States;. Young consumers -- United States;. Advertising and children -- United States; Materialism -- Social aspects -- United States.

The library has several series of books that provide pro and con arguments on contemporary social issues. Search the catalog for "opposing viewpoints" or "reference shelf" or "taking sides" For example, if your topic is drug testing, , you could find a pro/con book by typing advertising and opposing viewpoints in the library catalog.

The difference between primary and secondary sources
What does "academic" or "scholarly" mean?

Call numbers
Dewey decimal classification

Guides and tutorials

Cite your sources using MLA style. Each campus library also has a MLA style guide book in Reference.

MLA handbook for writers of research papers / Gibaldi
Reference 808.02 G53 2003

How to evaluate a web page.
How to quote and cite sources.
How to avoid plagiarism.
Research 101 from University of Washington - Interactive online tutorial for students wanting an introduction to research skills. The tutorial covers the basics, including how to select a topic and develop research questions, as well as how to select, search for, find, and evaluate information sources
Online Writing Lab from Purdue University
More than 100 documents on writing skills, in such categories as: Planning to Write ; English as a Second Language ; Grammar, Spelling, and Punctuation ; Research and Documenting Sources ; and Business Writing.

For more help

Call a librarian:

Sylvania: (503) 977-4500
Rock Creek: (503) 614-7239
Cascade: (503) 978-5269

Or ask a librarian via email or chat.

Writing 122: English Composition Library research resources