Ferris State University Library for Information, Technology and Education (FLITE).
ENGL 250 - Sterling

Where to find material at FLITE:

Finding Journal Articles

To find journal articles on a particular topic, it's necessary to use one or more of the databases available on the FLITE Web site. These databases cumulatively provide indexing to thousands of journal titles.

General OneFile

Social Science Abstracts

Facts On File
Time line of 1980's Top Stories from Facts on File.

Historical Newspapers
Link to Historical L.A. Times-- Click "select multiple databases" to search other historical newspapers.

Suggestions to retrieve better/more results

  • Search topic as both a keyword and subject
  • Combine terms with AND or OR
  • Set date ranges limit to a specific time
  • Use quotes for phrases

More databases are sorted by subject from the Database Access page.
Please read Off Campus Database Access for information on searching from home.

Internet

Which one is the official site?
World Trade Organization
World Trade Organization

Tips:

  • Use government websites- Fed Stats lists all government agencies (http://www.fedstats.gov/)
  • Look for citations, accreditations, and references from reputable sources such as Universities, Colleges, Hospitals-and check to make sure these organizations exist.
  • Non-Profits may provide an abundance of information, but make sure it is not biased and provides all of the facts rather than opinion.

Finding Books at FLITE

For books and documents in the circulating collection (Main Stacks), use the Online Catalog. Search either using keyword or subject.

Reference Materials

  • American Decades 1980-1989
    REF E169.12 .A419 Y1980/89

  • St. James encyclopedia of popular culture
    E169.1 .S764 1999

MelCat

Use MelCat to look up books in other Michigan Libraries. MelCat items will be delivered to the circulation desk and you will receive an Email when the items arrive.

Book Locations

  • Main Stacks, Call Numbers A-H - Lower Level
  • Main Stacks, Call Number J-Z - Third Floor
  • Reference - First Floor
  • Government Documents - Second Floor

Research Guides

A Variety of Research Guides are available for subject searching. The PRINT guides provide resources in print at FLITE, while the WEB guides provide electronic resources available at FLITE.

Off Campus Access

Requests can be made electronically through the InterLibrary Loan (ILL) Request form.

Additional information can be found at Off Campus Database Access.

Getting the Article

If HTML or PDF full text options are available, click the link to go directly to the full text.

If full text is not an option:

Click the "Find It", link or button;

Select red GO button.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the act of presenting another's work or ideas as your own. Plagiarism is often unintentional, but it occurs whenever you use someone else's ideas or words without giving them credit. It can be obvious - purchasing a term paper or turning in a project done by someone else. It can be putting other's ideas into your own words. A simple rule: do not copy text from Web pages or other sources without identifying the original author. In this description, I am using ideas presented in the FLITE Online Tutorial called PILOT.
The tutorial provides these four tips to avoid Plagiarism:

  • Take clear, accurate notes about where you found specific ideas
  • Write down the complete citation information for each item you use
  • Use quotation marks when directly stating another person's words
  • Always credit original authors for their information and ideas
For more information about Plagiarism, please explore the Plagiarism webpage provided by the Ferris State University Writing Center.

Citing Sources

Whenever you are quoting or using information from a source, you must credit or cite that source. Failure to do so is plagiarism which can lead to expulsion from the University. The following links provide information on how to use MLA:

Citation Style Guide: MLA (PDF)

MLA List of References
More examples of how cite different types of sources using the MLA format.

Copies MLA Handbook (MLA handbook for writers of research papers) are found in the Ready Reference section on Floor 1 of the library near the South Service Reference Desk.


If you have any questions about what we went over during the library visit, Email Jodi Shepherd.

Don't forget, you are welcome to come to the South Service Desk and ask for help at any time. You can also call us 231-591-3602 or chat with us.

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Last Update: September 11, 2006

Rick Bearden
Library Web Coordinator
Email Rick Bearden
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Big Rapids, MI 49307-2279
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Fax: (231) 591-3724