This document provides guidance on using library resources for writing assignments. It explains that peer-reviewed scholarly sources are considered more reliable than general sources because they are written by experts, use standardized formats, and undergo peer review. It highlights that most scholarly resources require subscription access rather than being openly available online. The document also provides tips on evaluating source quality and finding specific articles through research guides, databases, and the library's discovery tool.
2. Welcom to the
Library!
Cheng Cheng, Science Reference
Librarian
Librarians are available to answer
your questions by phone, email, chat
or text message
Please feel free to ask!
3. AQuestion:
Why shall we use the library (especially when Google is available)?
True or False:All information for studies and research can be
found online.
Answer:YES………
…….and NO.
4. AQuestion:
YES: Most scholarly resources (Journals, reference
resources…..etc.) have digitized copies online.
NO: Most of them are not open to public.
Scholarly resources= Expensive.
• Annual subscription fee could be 5-digit
Some resources exclusive to academic libraries
5. What kinds of
resources?
“In order to support your argument, you will use 3-5 sources in
your paper.At least two of these sources must be peer-
reviewed………”
Why they have to be “scholarly” or “peer-reviewed”?
Answer: Reliability
6. Scholarly
Journal
Vs.
Magazine
Who are the authors and publishers?
• Scholarly Journal:
• Authors: Professionals, such as professors
• Publishers: Academic associations or university press
• Magazine: Largely varied
How are these articles written?
• Scholarly Journal: Standardized format for conciseness and preciseness,
include reference
• Magazine: Usually no specific format and reference
Who are audiences (professional, or general)?
• Scholarly Journal: Professional
• Magazine: Could be both
How do they looks like?
7. Evaluate the
Quality of
Resources
Purpose
• The purpose of the resource
Documentation
• Does author provide proper
evidence to support the
theory or argument?
Timeliness
• Important to many subjects
Authority
• Does author have proper
knowledge of the subject
area?
Suitability (Scope and
Audience)
• Scope:General or Specific?
• Audience:Who are the
intended audiences?
Research
• Primary or Secondary
resources?
8. Information
Cycle
The Day of Event
• Internet,TV, Radio
Day and Days after Event
• Newspaper
Week andWeeks after Event
• Popular magazine, news magazine and trade magazine
Half to a year after Event
• Scholarly Journals
A year to years after Event
• Books, Government reports and reference materials
9. Access to an
article
Research Guides
• Created by subject librarians at subject and course level
• Provide a group of selected resources for particular course or subject
• Include everything you will need for studies
Browse Databases by Subjects orTitles
• Browse databases to locate a database for a specific subject
• General databases, such as Academic Search Completed
Locate articles through OneSearch
• Integrated discovery tool, which will search through everything we
have