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Library Research Assignment
  - English Composition I

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1. What is your research question or thesis statement?

2. List 5-7 keywords that you will use to search for information about this topic

3. Go to the Library homepage (http://library.raritanval.edu)

  • Click Catalog from the Quick Links at the top of the screen.
  • Search for 1 or 2 of your main keywords.
  • Find a book that could be used for your research. (Hint: try different keywords if you are not finding anything useful)

Write the title of the book and the call number:

4. Return to the library homepage. Click Databases from the Quick Links at the top of the screen.

  • You will do searches in CQ Researcher and Points of View Reference Center to find background and factual information about your topic.
  • First, click CQ Researcher from under Popular Databases. Search for articles related to your topic and skim any articles that might be useful.
  • Return to the Databases page (http://library.raritanval.edu/databases). Scroll down to the alphabetic listing and select the database Points of View Reference Center.
  • Search for articles related to your topic in Points of View Reference Center. Skim these articles.
  • Select the BEST article for your research from either CQ Researcher or Points of View Reference Center. Print the article or send it to your email, then complete this section:

What is the article title:

Who is the author of article:

Which database is the article from:

In the box below, explain in 2-3 sentences why this article is the best one for your research.

5. Return to the library Databases page (http://library.raritanval.edu/databases).

  • You will now search in both Academic Search Premier and Proquest Research Library for a scholarly article.
  • First, select Academic Search Premier from the Popular Databases.
  • Search using at least 2 specific keywords about your topic. Check the box for Scholarly (Peer Reviewed) Journals.
  • Skim the articles to see if there is a scholarly article related to your topic.
  • Then, return to the library Databases page and select Proquest Research Library from the Popular Databases.
  • Search for at least 2 specific keywords about your topic. Check the box for Scholarly (Peer Reviewed) Journals.
  • Skim the articles to see if there is a scholarly article related to your topic.
  • Select the BEST article for your research from either Academic Search Premier or Proquest Research Library. Print the article or send it to your email, then complete this section:

What is the article title:

Who is the author of article:

Which database is the article from:

In the box below, explain how you can tell that this is a scholarly article.

In the box below, explain in 2-3 sentences how this article is related to your topic.

Provide the complete MLA citation for this article, including the information about the database where you found it. (Hint: Look for a “Cite” or “Citation” link or section on the article. Or, refer to the MLA Style webpage at http://library.raritanval.edu/research/citation/mla.asp.)