Trent University Library : Subject Guide for CSID 5000H

Research Guide for CSID 5000H

Remember:

Look in the right places. Find the databases/search engines that cover what you're looking for.
Use the best search terms - try lots of combinations. (See the tutorial on Keyword Searching Techniques.)
Save what you find, so you can get back to it later. Create your own personal database with RefWorks (see more info) or Wizfolio.
A number of the resources we offer are available by subscription only and access is limited to registered members of the university – use library links to get there.

When you want to find:	Use:	Details:
Public Websites Webpage on Evaluating Websites	Google Google Scholar	Who created the page? Why? Evaluate the website – is it reliable, scholarly? What information is there? What’s not covered? Choose "Scholar" under "More" in Google. Set “Preferences” for Trent U – see webpage.
Books	Library Catalogue – TOPCAT RACER, WorldCat Other libraries Google Books	What’s in our library? TOPCAT tutorial. What’s in other libraries? Webpage of library links. What's covered? Choose "Books" under "More" in Google. Not always full text.
Articles Tutorial on Finding Articles Tutorial on Recognizing Scholarly Resources Tutorial on Navigating to Articles (When You Already Have a Citation)	Indexes	Use the Directory of Online Databases to see a list by title, or the Subject Guides to find a list by subject. Click on beside a databases listed, to get more information about its coverage. Examples shown in class: America History & Life, CBCA (Canadian Business & Current Affairs).
Primary, Unpublished Webpage on Finding Primary Sources	Databases Archives Google? Books	We subscribe to some specialized databases that provide digitized primary documents. Find them listed on Subject Guides. Trent University Archives, other Archives sites. Searches some online Archives. Sometimes primary documents are published as books. In TOPCAT try using the keywords: personal narratives, diaries, sources.
Government Publications	Databases, web browsers, library web sites and catalogues, library collections, Government Depository Libraries	MaDGIC Government Publications Web Site includes links to federal, provincial and international government databases, parliamentary papers, statutes, budget documents, government serial and monograph e-collections. See course slides for further information.
Statistical Data	Databases, web browsers, library web sites and catalogues, library collections, Library Data Centres and Government Publication Collections, Research Data Centres (RDC), portals to microdata and aggregated statistics	MaDGIC Data Web Site includes links to key data portals and statistical information such as ODESI, Equinox, DLI, ESTAT, CHASS Census Analyser, CANSIM through CHASS, Census information – Statistics Canada Geography files, Census of Population and Census of Agriculture See Course Slides for further information.
Maps, Spatial Data, Cartographic Information and GIS Software	Databases, web sites, web browsers, library web sites and catalogues, Map Depository Libraries, Library Data Centres, GeoPortals	MaDGIC Web Site for Maps & Geospatial Data includes links to MaDGIC imagery server; Scholars Portal Geoportal, Government and open source geoportals such as GeoBase, GeoGratis, GeoConnections. GIS Software at Trent University See Course Slides for further information.

Other links:

Graduate Students webpage
How to Read Citations
RefWorks (see more info)
Wizfolio
Canadian Studies Subject Guide - links to valuable databases.

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Last Modified: January 27, 2012
Maintained by , Thomas J. Bata Library.