Finding Books
For books in the circulating collection (Main Stacks), use the Online Catalog. Several series covering controversial topics and issues are available from FLITE. You might try searching for the keyword search: Current Controversies, or Opposing Viewpoints, or try a keyword search for your topic.
Book Locations:
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.
Finding Journal Articles
Please read Off-Campus Database Access if you want to do your searching from home.
Periodicals (journal articles) cover controversial topics and issues as well. Many are found under the topic heading General and Multidisciplinary databases, or there are several individual databases which are likely to help you find material on your topic:
- Academic OneFile
- CQ Researcher
- Facts on File - Issues and Controversies
- Opposing Viewpoints in Context
Use the Find a Periodical search to find a specific journal title at FLITE.
Electronic Encyclopedias
Search encyclopedias relevant to your topic to find entries.
Newspaper articles
Newspapers often write on current issues. Check out
our Newspaper
links page including:
InfoTrac Custom Newspapers (120 Full-text Newspapers) Access World News Lexis-Nexis Newspapers
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:
By clicking "Find
It", the range of options
available for document retrieval (print, microform, online). If the full text of the
article is available, you will be able to find the article by clicking on the link.
If the only message you see is "Request document via
Interlibrary Loan";, you will need to order the article. By clicking on the link in the window provided,
you will be directed to a blank Interlibrary Loan form to
be filled out.
Citation Style Guides
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. FLITE provides a Plagiarism and Citation guide to help you learn more about this important topic. The tutorials and accompanying quizzes can help you determine what constitutes plagiarism.
FLITE Plagiarism and Citation Guide
Information on how to use APA:
Citation Style Guide: APA (PDF)
APA List of References
More examples of how cite different types of sources using the APA format.
Copies of the full-length APA manual (Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5th ed.) and 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.
The Internet
There are many webpages on the Internet which seem to provide quality information, but be aware that many provide less than valuable or credible information. Check out these websites for some real examples.
Wikipedia
Wikipedia is NOT intended as an academic source. This means Wikipedia should not be cited in academic quality research papers, speeches, term papers, or anything turned in for academic credit. See Wikipedia's statement of validity to better understand their intentions.
If you have any questions about what we went over during the library
visit, Email Mari Kermit-Canfield.
Don't forget, you are welcome to come to the Oval Information 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 14, 2007