The "right" tool for the job
It's hard to find what you need if you're looking in the "wrong" place. Choose a resource that includes the kinds of materials you need.
Looking for books & articles ? You're likely to need both the library catalog and an article database . Which one, and when, depends.
start with a catalog
if you already have a citation for an item
if you want to find books on a topic
start with an article database
if you need to isolate articles or essays on a topic
what you need to know ...
Library catalogs
List what a library owns, its location and availability...
OskiCat is the UCB libraries' catalog
books, journals, films, etc.
access via CATALOGS tab on UCB Library website
Read more
sample catalog record (with annotated highlights)
result for a journal (showing online and print copy)
reading call numbers (step by step graphic of process)
UCB uses Library of Congress classification system
call numbers represent subject focus of materials(similarly focused material shelved together)
browsing materials adjacent to yours
finding books tutorial (snippet from Research 101 tutorial)
sample catalog record (with annotated highlights)
result for a journal (showing online and print copy)
reading call numbers (step by step graphic of process)
UCB uses Library of Congress classification system
call numbers represent subject focus of materials(similarly focused material shelved together)
browsing materials adjacent to yours
finding books tutorial (snippet from Research 101 tutorial)
Article databases
access via FIND INFORMATION tab on UCB Library website > Articles link
view by subject or general (interdisciplinary) category
description =
subject(s)
type of materials included
dates of publications included
if full text is provided for results
Recommended
central, typically helpful resource
Read more
each database has a unique mix of sources
some contain scholarly articles, some magazine articles, some news, some contain it all
article databases often include more than articles (chapters in books, etc.)a few more points ...
results do not equal what UCB owns !
results do identify where articles were published (name of publication and associated volume/issue/date information)
results sometimes link to articles online
use UC-eLinks when full text is not available
each database has a unique mix of sources
some contain scholarly articles, some magazine articles, some news, some contain it all
article databases often include more than articles (chapters in books, etc.)a few more points ...
results do not equal what UCB owns !
results do identify where articles were published (name of publication and associated volume/issue/date information)
results sometimes link to articles online
use UC-eLinks when full text is not available
Where's the article?
Many library databases incorporate the UC-eLinks feature. You use it when a result's text is not provided by the database searched. It checks the UC-wide collections to see if the source is available elsewhere...
Read more
Other electronic resources
encyclopedias, government documents, image databases, news databases, etc.
access via FIND INFORMATION tab on UCB Library website
use Electronic resources link
to view by subject (link to subject, then use sidebar menu to limit by resource type)
or view by type (all subjects combined)
Need a place to begin ?
If you have a topic but don't know much about it, encyclopedias can provide background that will help you get started and search more effectively.
identify the people, events, issues, etc., related to your topic
entries often have a bibliography that identifies materials related to their topic
online encyclopedias
for online encyclopedias, see other electronic resources , above
Read more
Wikipedia
This free encyclopedia is publicly editable and not a scholarly resource . Because anyone can write or add to an entry, the information may be innacurate or untrue. Through the very structure of its creation, it has dependability issues. Yet, it can still be a useful tool, if used wisely .
Like other encyclopedias, it can be helpful in obtaining topical background, and entries often list sources for further reading (which you can then see if UCB has). Use Wikipedia as a starting point for information you will verify in the course of your research via scholarly sources .
Wikipedia
This free encyclopedia is publicly editable and not a scholarly resource . Because anyone can write or add to an entry, the information may be innacurate or untrue. Through the very structure of its creation, it has dependability issues. Yet, it can still be a useful tool, if used wisely .
Like other encyclopedias, it can be helpful in obtaining topical background, and entries often list sources for further reading (which you can then see if UCB has). Use Wikipedia as a starting point for information you will verify in the course of your research via scholarly sources .
Last Update: March 14, 2013 16:47
