Honors 161 Library Research Guide
CLA Librarian
Purpose of this Guide and Research Help Options
This guide gives you great pointers on the best databases and resources for your field. Don't forget that you can find help on 24/7 live chat at any time of day or night. You can also email the CLA librarian, Brett Bodemer, at bbodemer@calpoly.edu.
- Chat and other Research HelpIf you want live help now, click on the chat icon at the lower right corner of this page! For further options click on "Chat and Other Research Help" link above.
Microtheme: What is Sustainability? Find Credible, scholarly background information.
- Gale Virtual Reference Library This link opens in a new windowSearch numerous specialized, scholarly encyclopedias, dictionaries and reference works to identify various facets and context-sensitive definitions of sustainability. All you have to do to start is type in:
sustainability - Ebook Central This link opens in a new windowFor more in-depth explorations of the facets of sustainability, try this database of online ebooks. All you need to do to start is type in:
sustainability
Establishing The Problem To Be Solved Using Credible Sources
1) Think about the scope of your problem: is it local, state, national, or global?
If it crosses several or all of these scales, refine the specific focus to an achievable scope.
2) What, specifically, IS the problem? You cannot just declare that something is a problem. You have to define it and cite credible sources that establishes the main outline of the problem.
3) What are the characteristics of credible sources?
Scroll to the bottom of this page for a VISUAL overview, "Scholarly Vs. Popular Sources".
4) Where can I find credible sources?
Immediately below on this page are some suggestions for finding:
A) Credible articles and books
B) Credible reports
C) Credible data
Find Credible Articles
- Academic Search Premier This link opens in a new windowDo two things for the best search:
1) SELECT ALL DATABASES
2) Select SCHOLARLY PEER REVIEWED
Remember: if you don't see the full text in all databases, click on "Find IT" and We'll Get it For You" - Google Scholar This link opens in a new windowIf you have logged into My Cal Poly Portal, Google Scholar can link out to Full text of what is licensed to you as Cal Poly students.
Remember: if you don't see the full text in all databases, click on "Find IT" and We'll Get it For You"
- OneSearchUse relevant keywords and filter by peer reviewed. Can also find scholarly books.
Search Ebook Central, SpringerLink, JSTOR, Project Muse and Wiley for ebooks, chapters and articles
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Ebook Central150,000 ebooks, most are keyword searchable!
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SpringerLinkBook chapters, books, journal articles.
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JSTORScholarly books and articles, with some current content and lots going way back.
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Project MUSEScholarly books and articles. To get books click Books on left column.
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Wiley Online LibraryBooks and Articles. To get books, after first keyword search, click BOOKS in right column.
Find Credible Data
- Europa World Plus This link opens in a new windowEuropa World Plus features economic, political and geographic background information and statistical data on countries and territories of the world. Comparative statistics tables and charts can be generated for online viewing or download.
- Statista This link opens in a new windowStatista provides direct access to quantitative data on media, business, finance, politics, and a wide variety of other areas of interest or markets. The database features unlimited downloads features direct use or export of results in PowerPoint, Excel PDF and Graphic (PNG) formats.
- RAND California This link opens in a new windowRAND California provides information, research reports and statistics on the California economy and public policy issues, as well as access to selected policy reports, statistics, and information at the national and international scale.
- Census DataDemographic info from the Census Burea - enter a state, county, city town or zip code.
- World Bank Open DataNational and international statistical datasets on development indicators across many topics and sectors.
Find Credible Reports
- World Bank Open Knowledge Repository (OKR) This link opens in a new windowThe World Bank is the largest single source of development knowledge. The World Bank Open Knowledge Repository (OKR) contains thousands of research works including World Bank Group Annual Reports and Independent Evaluation Studies, World Development Reports, and books published by the World Bank Group, as well as a wide selection of journal articles, working papers, and studies.
- Techniques for Googling Government Reports,Statistics and DocumentsAdd site:.gov to your search terms to get just information from government websites.
Add filetype:pdf to the same search if you want just pdfs.
Add the word statistics to your search to find statistics.
Types of Sources: Scholarly vs. Popular Sources
When exploring a topic and formulating a research question it is important to consult different types of sources as well as points of view. Use this page to be able to identify types of information sources and distinguish between scholarly and popular sources. Your professor may also require a minimum number of sources and types (e.g. peer-reviewed journal articles) that you need to use in your research assignment.