Course: English 280
Topic: Synthesized Research on Generations
Spring 2008 – Nancy Krey

Librarian: John Stierman – jp-stierman@wiu.edu
Leslie F. Malpass Library, Office 219
Phone: 298-2756
Office Hours: Monday, 3-4; Tuesday, 4-5; Wednesday, 11-12 & 6-7

Off-Campus Access: Library Internet Resources. Most of the libraries' databases are proprietary (owned by third parties). As long as you are on campus, the database providers assume that you are a WIU student. If you are off-campus, the providers require proof of enrolment. If you want to access library databases off-campus, be prepared with your student id # or your ecom username and password. Call the reference desk at 309-298-2700 or 800-413-6544.

Introduction

Your assignment is unique. You have been asked to find information about a subject that relates to you. Since the possible topics are endless, this class guide is necessarily general. Some sources will be more useful to you than others. We will spend time in class using these tools, but you will have to come back to the library at a later date and use them on your own or ask for help from a reference librarian.

Getting Started

Have you chosen a behavior, family activity or ritual? Refer to Ms. Krey's suggestions for finding a subject for your synthesized research project. Remember. All good research starts with a good question. To help tap your curiosity I suggest the following sources:

You may also consider browsing the pages of one of these popular periodicals:

The Next Step: Finding Articles from or about the "Old Days"

Historical Chicago Tribune, 1849-1985.
Full-text and full-image articles from this historic paper. Great for ads and comics.
Newspaper Indexes
The WIU Libraries provide access to numerous fulltext newspapers, many going back to the 1980s. Visit LexisNexis Academic or America's Newspapers for more details. For early issues of the New York Times, you may consult the microfilm set on the Third Floor of the Malpass Library or try your luck with the New York Times Article Archive. According to the Times' website, articles in the public domain are free. Premium articles are for sale. Malpass Library also has the traditional hardcopy index to the New York Times in the reference area, near the reference desk.
Readers' Guide Abstracts, 1890- .
Remember to check the retro option.
America: History and Life, 1955- .
Unlike the other databases listed here. AHL indexes and abstracts history articles (secondary sources) instead of primary sources from the time of the event. Limited full-text.
Education Index, 1929-
If your topics is related to the field of education, you might consider consulting this index. It is a traditional paper index, and uses subject headings. The index is located on the index shelves near the Referenc Desk on the second floor (main floor) of Malpass Library.

Recent Articles

Academic Search Premier
Includes many full-text articles. Runs back to the 1980s on the Ebsco Host interface. Multidisciplinary.
Expanded Academic Index ASAP
Similar to ASP (above). Also runs back to the 1980s but on the InfoTrac interface.
Lexis-Nexis Academic
Best sources for finding full-text of newspaper articles. Also has legal, congressional, and governmental indexes. Runs back to the 1970s.

Periodicals Holdings List (PHL)

From the Libraries' homepage, click on Locate a Journal. Print & Electronic Periodicals Holdings List (PHL) is a listing of both periodical titles (print/microform formats) available on the shelves of the Western Illinois University Libraries, and e-titles available in full-text databases purchased by the WIU Libraries. This resource currently indexes over 20,000 unique periodical titles. If the Library does not have a document you need, consider, if time allows, requesting the document via Interlibrary Loan (ILL). In some cases, your request can be made directly from an online index. In others, you can use the form on the library’s home page. Look under Library Services.

RefWorks: A Citation Management Tool

RefWorks is an online research management, writing and collaboration tool -- it's designed to help researchers easily gather, manage, store and share all types of information, as well as generate citations and bibliographies. You will need to sign up for an individual account, which will allow you to use RefWorks on and off campus. If you are ever asked for a group code, the WIU code is "rwwillinoisu".

Finding Books

Use WestCat/I-Share to find books that relate to your topic.

Reference Librarians

If you need help using these tools or any library tools, do not be afraid to ask for help at the library’s reference desk, located on the main floor (2nd) of the library. We are here to help you. Our telephone number is 298-2700 and our hours are: