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Do-It-Yourself Library: Where to Search

I Am Not Sure Where To Search

Deciding Where to Search 

What type(s) of sources might you need? 
Does your assignment recommend certain source types (e.g. peer-reviewed articles, newspaper articles, data, books, videos)? What role do sources play in the project? 

Depending on the topic, you might look for books, articles, media coverage, or other online sources.  If your topic is very new, there may not be many books or scholarly articles because scholarly works can have a long publication process. 

Whose written on/discussed your topic? 
A topic like "race relations in prisons" might be explored by scholars in sociology, law, criminal justice, public policy, psychology, or ethnic studies. Search by discipline or your academic field by using the databases and other library resources recommended in the Subject Guides.

Locating Sources

Books: Search the NWACC Library's 'Search Everything' and narrow your search to show only catalog items (books and DVDs) or ebooks to get book results for your search terms. For help finding books or ebooks, visit Finding Books on Your Topic.

Articles: ProQuest Central and Gale Power Search contains scholarly, popular, and professional journal articles from most disciplines. Or search most of our databases simultaneously through 'Search Everything' . These are often good places to start your research.

Subject-Specific Research: Browse the Subject Guides for more specialized resources created/curated by NWACC library. For more guidance look at Finding Peer-Reviewed Articles.

Primary Sources: See our guide to learn about and Finding Primary Sources. 

Newspaper Sources: Go to Finding Newspaper Articles.

Looking for data?  NWACC library provide access to databases that contain statistics. Or search Google for data on your topic. Search for "[your topic] statistics" or "[your topic] data."

Government Information: 

Still not sure where to search? Ask a Librarian!