Library Research Success in a Nutshell

Brett CloydUniversity of Iowa Libraries

Top 10 things for graduate students to know

• #1. Main Library is one of several libraries on campus and many digital collections can be accessed anywhere.

#2 Learning Commons

• @ Main Library• Celebrating 1st anniversary• 1st floor• Lots of group study space with equipment for practicing

presentations and can be reserved online or in person• A new technology heavy classroom• Coffee and sandwiches• Lots of plugs and fast wifi• Checkout cables to plug into big screens

#3. Graduate research study rooms and lockers

• There are private rooms on 4th and 5th floors of Main Library• There is a dedicated graduate study space on 3rd floor of Main

Library which is very good• You can apply on-line• Preference is given to students working on their dissertations and

toward their comprehensive exams• Keep this in mind as you progress in your studies

#4 Smart Search

• Default search from Libraries’ home page• Searches the libraries’ traditional collection (i.e. the catalog), plus

many article database, digital collections, etc• Uses search filters found on many commercial web sites• Tabs help you see different types of information about an item

Smart Search Example

#5 Office Delivery and Video Request

• The Libraries will deliver many types of materials to your office via central mail.

• You can request videos on-line and the Libraries will have them available when you stop by.

• Smart Search: sign-in

• Search for title, pick the location tab and request

#6 InfoLink

• InfoLink is used in most of the Libraries’ research databases• It can connect you from a source that only includes a citation or

abstract to the full-text• When you click on this button, you will see all the database sources

that may contain the full-text• Be sure to pay attention to the coverage dates for the different

sources. Your article might be covered in one database but not another

• Please feel free to ask for help if you’re having trouble locating a source

• Or, use the Chat tool on the InfoLink page

InfoLink Screen Shot (after you click the link)

#7 Resources by Subject

Librarians have developed guides to help students and faculty identify the most important resources in the field. Take advantage of these to save time. Contact the librarian who works in your field and get to know them.

# 8 Citation Managers

• Most library research tools enable you to collect citation information that you can use to keep track of your readings and create a bibliography. Just look for terms like “Export” or “Citation”.

• The Libraries provides access to EndNote Desktop at no cost to graduate students. There’s a link under “My Personal Library.”

• There are other tools good for researchers, including Zotero, and Mendeley

• Given that most of you will be doing extensive research, using a citation manager will save you lots of time.

#9. Off campus, no problem

• Most electronic library resources work fine from home or from across the globe.

• You will only need to enter your hawkid and password in a web form• But be sure to follow the links you find on the Libraries’ web site. If

you Google a database, and your off campus, the links probably won’t work.

• If you use Google Scholar, see the next slide.

#10 Google Scholar

• The Libraries’ lists Google Scholar under its Databases A-Z tab. It’s useful to point out that if you’re off campus, follow the Libraries’ link, or you will need to manually configure the Google Scholar settings to access UI content

• Google’s settings include a “Bibliography Manager”, so you can configure Scholar to give you links for adding a citation to EndNote, and others.

• Google does not let third-parties add images to its search results. So instead of the InfoLink button you’ll see UIowa InfoLink:Full Text. Try this if the other links for a citation are not working.

• Keep in mind that Google facilitates access through their indexing work. The content you find is either public domain, open access, or a paid source. Your University of Iowa affiliation will let you access paid sources the University has purchased or licensed.

• Also try broad databases like Scopus, Web of Science, and Academic Search Elite. You might find citations you’ll miss in Google Scholar.