Frequently Asked Questions:
What is "SourceFinder?"
SourceFinder is an online resource that allows users to quickly and easily generate
a "Source List" of important study materials. Sources compiled when the
user runs the SourceFinder may range from databases, to Web pages, to printed reference
works, depending on the options the user selects.
How do I use "SourceFinder?"
It's simple. Just follow these steps:
1. Select "Field of Study"
2. Select the "Type of Resource"
3. Select any "Limits" if you want to limit your
findings.
4. Click on "Search"
5. Your customized research list will be automatically generated!
What does the
"Databases A to Z" link do?
The Databases A to Z link provides an up-to-date listing of all online
subscription databases held by Preston Library. It is organized alphabetically and
includes descriptions of the databases VMI students, staff and faculty have access to.
What does the "Reference
Resources A to Z" link do?
This link provides a list of links to some of the more
commonly used all-purpose reference sources available through Preston Library. These
resources are designed to answer frequently asked reference questions, such as weather,
directional questions, statistics, and more.
What does the "Government
Resources A to Z" link do?
The Government Resources link provides quick access to key print and electronic
reference sources produced by the Virginia state and U.S. Federal government agencies.
SourceFinder Options:
Field of Study
The "Field of Study"
options allows you to select the area that most
closely corresponds with your research topic. Only one
field of study category can be
selected at a time.
Type of Resource
The "Type of Resource"
option allows you to select the type
or format from which you want to find information. For example, a magazine article
is very different from a handbook, which is different from a
web site.
Note: You can choose as many resources as
you want,
or you can automatically select every type of resource available by selecting
"All Sources." Source types are described below.
All
Sources
Selecting this option automatically returns
information on all types of sources described below. Choosing "All
Sources" will include the following categories in your search: articles in popular
magazines, articles in scholarly journals, associations and groups, biographical
information, book reviews, dictionaries, directories, encyclopedias,
factbooks/handbooks/guides, literary criticism, newspaper articles,
other web sites,
standards and codes.
Magazine/Journal
Articles
Selects resources that provide citations, abstracts or
full text of articles that originally appeared in either popular magazines or scholarly
journals.
Articles from popular magazines
usually: are for the general reader, are interspersed with advertising, are
full of photographs, are brief, and are written by staff writers or reporters. Examples of
popular magazines are: Newsweek, Sports Illustrated, and National Geographic.
Articles from scholarly journals
usually: are in-depth and highly specialized, have little or no advertising,
deal with research or scholarly topics, include bibliographies, are longer, have few
illustrations or photos (except for graphs and charts), and are written by experts in the
field. Examples of scholarly journals are: Journal of Management Studies, New England
Journal of Medicine, and Transactions of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Associations
and Groups
Selects resources that provide information on
associations and groups of all types from all countries. Provides contact
information such as: telephone numbers, mailing addresses and web page addresses.
Biographical
Information
Selects resources that provide biographical information on
people in all professions and from all countries.
Book
Reviews
Selects resources that provide citations, abstracts or
the full text of book reviews (for all types of books in all fields of study) that
originally appeared in newspapers, popular magazines and scholarly journals.
Dictionaries
Selects resources that provide definitions,
pronunciations, and the history of common and not-so-common words.
Directories
Selects resources that provide directory information for
people, organizations and professions.
Encyclopedias
Selects resources that provide brief but authoritative
definitions and descriptions of people, places, events, concepts and principles.
Factbooks/Handbooks/Guides
Selects resources that contain brief, all-embracing
information for a discipline. These types of resources commonly provide facts,
figures, equations, conversion tables, definitions, directory information, descriptions
and more.
Literary
Criticism
Selects resources that provide critical analysis and
discussion of literary works, themes and issues, as well as insights on the interpretation
of meaning and quality of written works. Such works include prose, poetry and drama.
Newspaper
Articles
Selects resources that provide citations, abstracts or
full text of articles that originally appeared in newspapers. Includes local, state,
national and international newspapers as well as trade publications and wire services.
Other
Web Sites
Selects key World Wide Web resources.
Standards
& Codes
Selects resources that provide citations, abstracts or
full text of standards, codes and technical specifications. Standards and Codes are
especially useful to those in scientific and technical fields, such as engineering.
Limits
The "Limits" option allows users to limit the types of sources
based on the following:
Electronic: Online sources
accessible via computer anywhere on the VMI Post.
Non-Electronic: Printed sources (books, journals or newspapers)
held by Preston Library.
Full-Text: Sources that provide full-text online (such as complete
magazine & newspaper articles).
Updated,
Tuesday, January 19, 2010 |