WR 115: Introduction to Expository Writing

Instructor: Bev Johnson, beverly.johnson@pcc.edu
Librarian: Pam Kessinger
Term: Spring, 2009

Concepts: Quick definitions (abridged)

Google Search | define:compact fluorescent

Google Search | define: fossil fuel

Concepts: Detailed dictionary definition (unabridged)

American Heritage Dictionary, from Bartleby.com

Gale Virtual Reference | Click on right: Databases by Title | alternative fuel

Explore the background : General encyclopedias

Worldbook Encyclopedia Online | Click on right: Databases by Title | greenhouse gases cars

R 031 World Book Encyclopedia, Encyclopedia Americana, Britannica Encyclopedia

Extended definition and context: Specialized encyclopedias

R 363.7003 E58 Environmental Encyclopedia : use the index at the back

Access Science | Click on right: Databases by Title

Clarify topic: specific aspects, related concepts, perspectives

SIRS Knowledge Source | Click on right: Databases by Title

  • Subject heading searching = targeted topic
  • Advanced search = specific, self-designed search strategy

 

EbscoHost database sets: Click on right: Databases by Subject

  • Left margin of results: EBSCOHost subjects to narrow search
  • Keyword v. Subject Field
  • Quotation marks to designate "phrase"

 

Lexis-Nexis: Click on right: Databases by Title

  • Newspapers from Europe, and worldwide
  • Current, day-by-day updates

 

Develop a thesis to test

 

Books = in-depth analysis and historical antecedents

Library catalog keyword search on front page

  1. Use descriptive, inclusive terms: renewable energy
  2. Use specific words, narrower terms: biodiesel
  3. Use the truncation symbol (ethic* = ethic, ethical, ethically, ethics)

 

Catalog tab | Keyword tab | Subject field:

Keyword in subject search

Using the Subject field, as above, within the Keyword tab, will sift the most current items on a topic to the top of the search results.

It also expands the standard subject search: it finds all the occurances of a term in the Subject Headings, whether your search term is at the beginning or middle of the Subject Heading.

Borrow books from other libraries:

  • Request = PCC libraries
  • Repeat search in Summit = College libraries in Oregon and Washington

 

Professional, scholarly organizations = discoveries, developments, current discussions

National Digital Science Library

American Chemical Society

How Stuff Works.com

Specialized search engines = Association published articles

Google Scholar

Scirus

USA Search

Web Directories

Google list of non-commercial web directories

Open Directory Project

Environmental Studies Subject Guide

Sustainability Subject Guide

This page was created for a specific class. Visit Research to see all library-created subject guides and research tools.

 

 

 

Related:
Class Pages, Subject Guides A to Z