Future Trends: PTH 201C, Spring 2012  

Welcome to the Library Guide for Future Trends. . . these pages offer an introduction to doing academic research in college.  You'll find links to library resources, help with research & citation, and an occasional entertaining video!

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If you can't resist starting your research with Wikipedia, please keep these hints in mind:

Reference Desk Hours: 

Mon - Thurs 9am - 9pm

Friday          9am - 6pm 

Saturday      noon - 5pm  

Sunday        1pm - 9pm

Reference Desk Phone:  526-3687

Reference Staff:

Merry Armentrout, Beth Krajewski, Carrie Thomas (College Librarian), Sondra VanderPloeg, Erica Webb, Kelli Bogan (College Archivist)

What are you looking for in a source?

C=Currency.  When was the article, book, or website published?  Is it up to date?  Does it matter for your topic?  Why?

R=Relevance. How close does this material come to discussing your actual topic?  Does it present a broad overview? Does it zero in on a very specific topic?  Is the book/article exclusively about your topic or were only parts of it relevant for you?

A=Authority. Who is the author or editor of the book/journal/website? What are his/her Institutional affiliations and/or job title? Educational background or experience? 

A=Accuracy. Can you verify the facts that you find in this source? Have they backed themselves up with convincing evidence?  Can you confirm the information in another source?  Are sources for facts cited?

P=Purpose.  Why was this book/article written, or this web site created?  Is it giving information, selling a product, or persuading you to agree with an opinion?  Is the author’s point of view objective and impartial?  Is emotional language used?

Now that you're in college, step up to advanced research!  Go beyond Google & Wikipedia and check these CSC subscription online specialty encyclopedias for background information about your topic.