I. FINDING BACKGROUND INFORMATION
II. FINDING JOURNAL/MAGAZINE/NEWSPAPER ARTICLES GENERAL DATABASES:
SUBJECT SPECIALIZED DATABASES:
The MU Libraries offer a large number of databases covering all disciplines. Below is a listing of a few that could be helpful. Go to the MU Libraries' website to see a complete listing.
III. FINDING BOOKS
Search the Library Catalog to find books on your topic.
Think of words and synonyms that describe the topic you are researching. Select the keyword search and type words that describe your topic into the search box. You can use the asterisk as a truncation symbol. You can use quotation marks to search for phrases. Once you have a list of hits, select one that looks on-target, then examine the subject headings for that item. Try clicking on one of the subject headings for that book, to retrieve similar books. Subject heading searches generally pull up more relevant hits than a keyword search.
If you do not find enough books on your topic, change your search to "ALL MERLIN." By doing so you will be checking the library holdings at UMSL, UMKC, UMR, and MU all at once. Still not enough? Click on the MOBIUS Union Catalog button. This expands your search to about 70 additional libraries in our network. Most books you find through MERLIN or MOBIUS are requestable online, just click on the "Request Item" link. Books requested through MERLIN or MOBIUS take two to three working days to arrive.
IV. FINDING NEWS WEB SITES
Ericka P. Evans
