University of Southern Mississippi Libraries

Assignment-Related Research Sessions: Descriptions and Objectives

Searching Basics [hands-on] (50 min)

Description: This session is a hands-on experience for undergraduate students tailored to meet their needs for completing a specific research assignment. Students will be introduced to relevant online databases for finding materials (the library catalog, e-books and articles) and provided tips and effective strategies for searching and retreiving materials. This session does not include on overview of Document Delivery services.

Objectives:
Upon completion of this session, students should know:

How to access the libraries' online databases from home
How to develop an effective keyword search using key terms and synonyms, the Boolean 'and' and truncation devices if needed
How to locate relevant books and e-books using the library's online catalog
How to locate relevant articles using article databases
How to retrieve full-text articles
How to use 'FindIt!' to locate articles that might be full-text in another database or in our print collection
How to e-mail citations or articles to themselves
How to find 'Scholarly' or 'Peer-reviewed' articles
How to use limiters to limit searches by such things as date, type of material (newspaper, periodical, book chapters) or full-text

Specialized Research (50-75 min)

Description: A more advanced session for upper division courses. This session is tailored to meet students' needs for completing a very intense research project or assignment. Students will be given a thorough review of more specialized subject databases, provided tips and effective strategies for searching in those databases and shown how to place an order for materials (Document Delivery) not available in our library collections.

Objectives:
Upon completion of this session, students should know:

How to access the libraries' online databases from home
How to develop an effective keyword search using key terms and synonyms, subject terms (descriptors), Boolean Operators 'and' 'or' 'not' and truncation/proximity devices
How to locate and use specialized subject databases
How to retrieve full-text articles
How to use 'FindIt!' to locate articles in another database or in our print collection
How to order articles not full-text using our Document Delivery service
How to e-mail citations or articles to themselves
How to locate 'Primary,' 'Peer-reviewed' or other specialized materials
How to use limiters to limit searches by such things as date, type of material (newspaper, periodical, book chapters) or full-text

Specialized Database (50 min)

Description: This session is focused on introducing students to the more complex and advanced features of a specific subject database such as SciFinder or Naxos Music in order to complete an assignment or project.

Objectives:
Upon completion of this session, students should know:

How to access the online database from home
Any special set up required on their computer for accessing the database
How the database is organized and the various searching methods (not just keyword) available for finding materials
Tips, devices and limiters for searching the database
How to retrieve full-text material when available
How to use 'FindIt!' to locate articles in another database or in our print collection
How to order articles not full-text using our Document Delivery service
How to e-mail citations or articles

The University of Southern Mississippi | University Libraries | 118 College Drive #5053 | Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001