Reference Sources
are a good place to start your research. They can give you a concise overview
of your topic, background information, facts & statistics, plus help you
define and spell words, and focus your topic. Reference Sources include both
books located in the Reference Collection and databases accessible on the
Library Web Site under the link
Reference
Databases.
Books & Media
The Stacks contain books and audiovisual items that may be borrowed
or "checked out" of the library. These resources are useful when
you need a more in-depth study of a topic than can be provided in reference
sources alone. Use the Library's Online
Catalog to determine what resources are available on your topic and the
call number and location in the library. If our library does not own the necessary
resources for your research needs, you may request additional items be ordered
through interlibrary loan.
Article Databases
Periodicals consist of popular magazines, newspapers, trade
and scholarly journals. Magazine & newspaper articles can be good sources
to use for very current information, to focus on specific topics or aspects
of a topic, to find reviews, and for opinions. Trade journals are helpful
to follow trends and career opportunities within a field, and to find practical
tips and techniques to use "on the job". Scholarly journals give
details of actual research studies that have been conducted and/or scholarly
treatment of discipline specific topics. All of these resources can be located
using the article databases
located on the library web site.
Recommended
Databases for Day You Were Born
Passwords to access the library databases from off-campus are available on
the pink handout MCC Library Database Chart. If you have not received
this handout, please ask for it at the Reference Desk.
Internet Resources
Recommended web sites for this subject are listed below. For
additional web sites on this subject, refer to MCC Library's Web
Sites by Subject link on the library web site.
Remember to carefully evaluate information found on the
Internet. Unlike most traditional print sources, Internet sources may not
go through any review process before the information is made available to
the public. Anyone can create and publish a web site. If you need help evaluating
your sources, please ask at the Reference Desk for guidance. For critieria
to use to evaluate your sources refer to our handout on Evaluating
Sources. It is available at the Reference Desk.
