Skip to Main Content

EGL 101 - Long/Coleman - Fall 2024

Librarian Brittany Coleman's Research Guide for Daryl Long's EGL 101-005 (TuTh 11am)

Today's Agenda

The image shows a promotional banner for a "Library Class Session @ Oakton College." It features a tagline that reads, "Valuable resources and services that support your academic journey."

  • Overview of Library Website: Explore the library website as your central hub for accessing valuable resources and services that support your academic journey.

  • Advanced Search Techniques: Learn to use Boolean operators to refine your searches and improve the relevance of your results.

  • Database Demo: In this session, I will demonstrate how to effectively use databases, including Academic Search Complete for scholarly articles, Opposing Viewpoints for balanced perspectives, and CQ Researcher for comprehensive reports.

  • Independent Practice: Search for scholarly articles related to your assignments and engage in hands-on activities to enhance your database research skills.

  • Citation Wrap-Up: Discover free citation tools like Zotero to help manage references and ensure proper citation in your work.

How to Use This Guide

This guide is created to assist you in your research and writing for EGL 101. Begin by exploring the different sections that cover research resources, writing strategies, and citation formats. Each section aims to help you find relevant articles and materials, enhance your writing skills, and ensure accurate citation of your sources. Embrace the learning process, and know that each step you take is valuable for your growth.

Research is Key!

Boolean Operators

  • AND: Using AND narrows a search by combining terms
  • OR: Using OR broadens a search to include results that contain either of the words you're looking for
  • NOT: Use NOT to exclude a word
  • Quotation Marks "":  Searches for exact phrases 

Database Filters

  • Available online: The article is available online
  • Peer-reviewed journals: Evaluating research studies before they are published
  • Year of publication: Published within the last 5 years
  • Full text: The entire text is available online

Evaluating your resources

  • Timeliness: Was the article published in the last 5 years?
  • Authority: Does this information come from an author or organization that has authority to speak on your topic?
  • Audience: Who are the intended readers and what is the publication's purpose?
  • Relevance: What connection can be made between the information that is presented and your assignment?