TC 303D: Library Online Worksheet

JavaScript isn't enabled in your browser, so this file can't be opened. Enable and reload.

This online worksheet is designed to walk you through using library search tools. It corresponds to the course library guide: https://guides.lib.utexas.edu/tc303dgrumberg Refer to the guide to answer the questions below.

If you run into issues, please contact Gina Bastone, the course librarian: g.bastone@austin.utexas.edu

Part 1: Brainstorming

1. Before you use the library search tools, it helps to prepare a little bit and brainstorm your topic. First, enter your chosen text(s). *

2. Go to the tab "2. Brainstorming Search Terms" on the course guide. You'll see a table with a sample topic broken down into three concepts, followed by a row of related terms. In the space below, break out some concepts and synonyms related to your chosen text or author. Stick to nouns and short phrases. *

3. Consider how you can combine those keywords using AND and OR to build focused searches. Provide some search term combinations below. (Hint: See the course guide for explanation and examples on how to do this.) *

Part 2: Searching

1. Now that you have brainstormed some search terms, you're ready to search! Move to the tab on the course guide entitled "3. Library Databases & Search Tools". In the first box, there are links to scholarly databases with journal articles, scholarly books, and other sources. Carefully read about these databases, and choose one for a trial search. Which database did you choose? *

MLA International Bibliography

JSTOR

Google Scholar (this one is harder to use than you'd think!)

2. Click the link for your chosen database, and enter some of the search terms you just brainstormed. (Hint: Try the Advanced Search for multiple search terms.) How many search results did you get? *

3. Choose one article, book, or book chapter from your results list that looks promising for your paper, and provide the citation in the style of your choice (MLA, Chicago, APA, etc.). (Hint: Most databases offer auto-generated citations!) *

4. Now try to download the PDF version of your chosen article, book, or book chapter. If you don't see a full-text/PDF option, look for a link or button that says "FindIt@UT" and follow that link to your access options. Please describe below what happened when you tried to get the PDF. *

5. If you could not find a PDF, what else might you try? (Check all that apply.)

Look for the citation in another database.

Ask for help through the Ask A Librarian chat service.

Make a Get A Scan article request.

Send Gina, the course librarian, an email.

Other:

Congrats! You've completed the library database search worksheet! Enter your name to verify completion. *

Do you have any lingering library questions for the course librarian? If so, please provide your question and email address, and Gina will respond!

Submit

Clear form

Never submit passwords through Google Forms.

This form was created inside of UTmail. Report Abuse

Forms