Skip to Main Content

PAID 112 Section 20 - Row-Heyveld (Spring 2024)

Ableism & Disability

In This Guide

in this guide graphicIn this Guide, you'll find:

 

Preus Library has so much more than what's in this Guide! When you have questions about the library or about finding a resource, don't hesitate to get in touch.

Return to the Paideia 112 Research Unit Guide

The Perfect Source? Not Likely

Research isn't about finding that one perfect source that makes all the connections for you.

It's about pulling together information that helps you formulate your ideas and make the argument yourself. This video (2 minutes) explains why finding one perfect source isn't feasible, and describes some ways you can be strategic about your searching.

Video posted on YouTube by North Carolina State University Libraries under a Creative Commons 3.0 BY-NC-SA US license.

Start With Reference

Reference materials are the place to begin your research.  Reading in specialized encyclopedias will anchor your research in an historical context and will give you the key terms and concepts to conduct successful database searches.

General Reference Sources

Search Tips

As you start exploring the library and its resources, here are some tips to help you gather more sources:

  • Use filters in the catalog and in databases. Typically along the left side of your search results screen, you'll be able to filter your search results by topic, by type of source, by date, and more.
  • Heading to the stacks? Browse the shelves near the book you're headed for--you'll probably find more books on the same topic.
  • Use subject terms--these are standardized phrases that librarians assign to sources that are all on the same topic. You can generally find them in the description of a resource. If you click on one, you'll see more articles or books about the same thing.
  • What documents or research are your sources citing? See if you can track those down too.
Content © Luther College Preus Library, 700 College Drive, Decorah, IA 52101 (563) 387-1166 Creative Commons License
chat loading...