Matthew Conner
Student Services
Student Services Librarian
530-754-7348
To search from off campus, make sure you download, install and configure the library’s VPN, Pulse Secure.
☞ HELP! I’ve tried and it’s not working. Check our FAQ or submit a Technical Support Request
Develop a strategy! This will help you focus your search, locate relevant information and save time.
1. Consider Sources and Search Tools
Good research and writing draws on information from a variety of sources. Think about the types of secondary research that could inform your thinking about your research question:
Source Types | Research Tools |
---|---|
e-Books | UC Davis Library Catalog |
Scholarly Journal Articles | Subscription Database(s) - Subject Guides |
Web Sources | Commercial Search Engine - Google |
2. Identify Keywords
a. Identify the key concepts in your research question.
Example: What are the genres of writing in biology?
b. Build on your key concepts to create a Keyword Search (watch through 1:53)
Example: (genres or conventions or discourse) and (writing or composing or authorship) and biology
3. Trace Citations
Looking up the References at the end of encyclopedia entries and other sources can lead you to additional relevant information.
Books are typically broad in scope and can be very helpful for providing context and orienting you to a topic.
1. Watch
2. Search
The UC Davis Library Catalog tells you what the library owns or has access to.
See also: eBooks: Access Online Books During Library Building Closures
Consider using one of these citation managers to keep track of your sources and generate citations:
For information about additional tools, see the library’s Citation Manager Comparison.