1. The NCC Library Research and Use Tutorial The NCC Library Research and Use Tutorial is a series of self-paced modules designed to help you learn how to find, evaluate and manage information in an increasingly complex information environment. The tutorial introduces you to some important search concepts and guides you in the use of the library at Nebraska Christian College.

2. The three topics covered in the library tutorials are:  Research – introduces you to important information concepts and useful search techniques.  Library Resources – introduces you to the library’s online catalog and explains how items are organized in the library.  Online Resources – outlines the different types of articles you may need for your research and explains how to search for and access them through the library’s databases.

3. Objectives: How to research a topic

4. Choose a topic  Choose a topic that is of interest to you, is neither too broad nor too narrow, and meets the guidelines set down by your instructor. General resources such as encyclopedias or journals can help provide ideas and background information for your topic.

5. Develop a search strategy  A good search strategy depends on knowing the general subject area of your topic, and what type of information you will need: factual (statistics, dates), general reference (encyclopedias, dictionaries) or in-depth (books, articles).

6. Identify information sources  Find the type of sources that best fits your strategy and topic. Some topics are better researched in books; other require scholarly or professional articles, newspapers, or even websites.

7. Choose a database to search  If you are looking to see which books and reference material we own in the NCC library, the place to start is the online catalog. It is available on the public access computer by the library entrance, or online through the library webpage.  Journal articles and databases may be searched through the library webpage.

8. Choosing a database to search  The online catalog may be searched in three different ways:  by subject  by author  by title

9. Choosing a database to search  Article information and full-text articles may be found by searching the following databases:  Wilson Web  EBSCO – which is the Academic Search Elite, and the Religion and Philosophy Collection  These may be accessed through the library webpage – located under Academics on the NCC webpage.

10. Develop a search strategy  Three important components of a successful research strategy are:  Identify appropriate information sources  Find the required information sources  Search the sources effectively

11. Develop a search strategy These questions may help you identify what information sources you need and where you may find them – 1.What subject area is involved? What broad subject area is involved in your topic? This may depend on what your topic is, and how you want to approach it. For example, a topic of street gangs may involve sociology, psychology and criminal justice.

12. Develop a search strategy 2. What type of information is needed?  Primary source  Secondary source  Factual information (statistics, names, dates)  General reference information  In-depth information

13. Develop a search strategy  3. What is needed for the scope of the assignment? More reference material providing more indepth information, or more covering more facets of the subject may be needed when writing a 20-page paper than when writing a two-minute speech. More reference material providing more indepth information, or more covering more facets of the subject may be needed when writing a 20-page paper than when writing a two-minute speech.

14. Identify information sources  Primary Sources – these are bodies of original, uninterpreted information. This is information before it has been analyzed, edited, interpreted, commented upon, spun, or repackaged. Examples include the Bible and the Declaration of Independence.

15. Identify information sources  Secondary sources – these interpret, analyze or summarize. They are a commentary upon, or analysis of, events, ideas, or primary sources. Examples would include biblical commentaries and encyclopedias.

16. Identify information sources  Reference sources – encyclopedias provide an overview of topics, key terms and important names to use in future searches. In addition, encyclopedias provide references to other sources of information. Dictionaries contain definitions of terms. Statistical sources provide you with statistical data to substantiate your statements.

17. Identify information sources  Books synthesize information on a topic and help you see the issue in context. Something to keep in mind is the date that the book was written. A book on psychology written in the 1950s may not provide the current thinking in the field, but it will provide historic information. On the other hand, a biblical commentary written in the 1920s is not automatically outdated – it may still provide an authoritative and well-respected insight on the material.

18. Identify information sources  Scholarly journals – inform the reader of theories and hypotheses, and provide analysis of original research. Articles are usually reviewed and critically evaluated by experts in the field. They are written in a language understood by a scholarly audience. For example, The Journal of Pastoral Care and Counseling.

19. Identify information sources  Professional journals – are intended for practitioners in applied fields. Their purpose is to keep the reader informed of the current trends and professional issues within their area. For example, Worship Leader Magazine, or Youthworker.

20. Identify information sources  Popular magazines – provide current perspectives on issues and cover a wide variety of topics. Articles are written for a very general audience and usually lack depth. They may provide a good starting point for developing a topic idea. For example, Time and Newsweek.

21. Identify information sources  Newspapers – provide local, national and global information on current events and controversies. Articles are written for a very general audience and usually lack depth. These may also provide a starting point for further research on a topic of interest. For example, The Omaha World-Herald.

22. Identify information sources  Internet resources – can provide the most current news and information on government, companies, educational institutions and non-profit organizations. Since anyone can publish on the Web, evaluating the quality and reliability of material found is especially important.

23. Identify information sources  When evaluating web information – keep in mind the following:  Content – What bias could the information contain based on the author of the site?  Credibility – Is the author identifiable and reliable?  Copyright – When was the page last updated?  Critical thinking – Can you apply critical thinking skills, including previous knowledge and experience, to evaluate the resource? In other words, does it make sense? Can you validate claims made by using any other source?

24. Identify information sources  Audio/Visual resources – materials such as CDs, DVDs, VHS, audio books, etc., provide valuable primary and secondary sources of images and sound.

25. Choosing a database to search  A database is a collection of information organized and presented so serve a specific purpose. A computerized database is an updated, organized file of machine-readable information that can be rapidly searched and retrieved. Library catalogs are databases. Other databases can be found on the library’s homepage.

26. Choosing a database to search  Reference sources can be found by searching the electronic (online) catalog.  Scholarly journals can be found in the library and by searching the EBSCO databases and WilsonWeb through the library webpage.  Popular magazines can be found in the library or by searching the above databases.  Newspapers may be found online.

27. Finding NCC Library resources  This explains the different search options when searching the online catalog and how to find library materials using NCC’s online catalog.

28. Finding NCC Library resources  The online catalog may be accessed at the computer located by the library entrance, or online through the library webpage, whether you are on-campus or off-campus.

29. Finding NCC Library resources  There are three options when using the online catalog. You can search by:  Subject – enter a topic or name to find resources relating to that subject.  Title – enter the title of a specific resource you are looking for.  Author – enter the name of the author to see what resources the library has written by that author.

30. Finding NCC Library resources  Once you have found an item, you will be able to find its location in the library by using its ‘call number.’ The call number is a code consisting of letters and numbers.  The items in the library are arranged according to this code.

31. Finding NCC Library resourced  This is how to read a call number:  Books are arranged alphabetically by the initial letters: H451 HA10 HD7681  Then numerically by the numbers after the letters: BR59 BR269 BR742 BR1013  The letters that follow the decimal point are in alphabetical order: BR12.B1 BR12.J5  The numbers that follow the decimal point are in decimal order: D84.B462 D84.B51

32. Finding NCC Library resources  There may be a second letter-number combination after the decimal. These should also be read in alphabetical and then in decimal order.  The four numbers at the end of some records are the publication date, and should be in numeric order: J56.S14 1991 J56.S14 1995

33. Finding NCC Library resources  Once you have located an item that you would like to check out, you may bring it to the circulation area, located at the counter near the entrance.

34. Finding NCC Library resources  At the circulation counter you can:  Check out books, videos, and other library materials  Return library materials you have borrowed  Pick up interlibrary loan materials.

35. Finding articles using the databases  The online databases may be accessed by going to the NCC website – www.nechristian.edu www.nechristian.edu  Choose ‘Academics’  Choose ‘Library’  Choose ‘Research Tools’

36. Finding articles using the databases  Using WilsonWeb Search, you will be able to choose  Biographies Plus and/or  OmniFile Full Text Biographies Plus may be searched by an individual’s name. OmniFile Full Text may be searched by a topic or keyword.

37. Finding articles using the databases  Using EBSCO, you will be able to choose  Academic Search Elite and/or  Religion and Philosophy Collection Full-text articles as well as citations are available on both databases.

38. Interlibrary loan  If you are looking for a resource that is not available in the NCC Library you have the option available to you to use an interlibrary loan.  Interlibrary loans are available on both books and articles.

39. Interlibrary loan  When requesting a book, please submit the title, author and ISBN number, if possible.  When requesting an article, please submit the article title, author, journal title, date, journal and volume number if known, and page number.

40. Interlibrary loan  All requests may be made with the librarian, whether in person or email. You will be notified when your material is in.  Please keep in mind that it may take a week or ten days for the material to arrive. Please plan accordingly.  Interlibrary loan material is usually due in four weeks. Please return material to the librarian.

41. Reserve Shelf  The reserve shelf is located behind the librarian’s desk. It contains books and resources which have been placed on reserve by your instructors. These items are for your use in the library and may not be checked out. Please see a librarian to access these items.

42. Reference Books  The reference books are located on the shelves along the wall next to the copier, and on the shelves parallel to them next to the aisle.  Reference books have a call number that begin with REF. The call number is located on the spine label of the book.  Reference books may be used in the library, but may not be checked out.

43. Library Help  If at any point in your research you have trouble finding or accessing the information you need, please ask the librarian. The librarian is available weekdays from 8 am to noon.  Library staff is available to answer any questions you may have.

44.  A very special thanks to Harper College for their gracious permission to borrow content from their tutorial.