Helen Miller Bailey LibraryEast Los Angeles College
French 10: French Civilization/ICONS Project
This research guide provides a list of resources and strategies which may prove helpful when you need to research materials for your assignments.
The resources covered in this guide will include some that are available through the ELAC Library, and others that are available freely on the Internet. This is only a starting point; for more detailed information come to the library and ask for a consultation at the Reference Desk.
Your research strategy might include some or all of the following:
How do I find an overview or background information about my topic?
Reference sources are a great place to start a research project. You can use reference sources to find topic summaries, overviews, and bibliographies for further reading on your topic. If you haven't decided on a point of view, an overview will help you focus your research and provide a context. Listed below are a few encyclopedias available through the ELAC Library: Countries of the World and Their Leaders Yearbook eBook (Available online through the library catalog) Encyclopedia of World Cultures eBook (Available online through the library catalog) The Stateman's Yearbook Reference Office (REF 310 Sta 2006) Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations eBook (Available online through the library catalog) World Book Encyclopedia Reference Stacks (REF 031 Wor 2005)
Θ Important note: eBooks are available to ELAC students free of charge. You can access these books remotely, but first you'll need to set up a free account from the library. Please come to the reference desk to get help setting up your account.
How do I find journal, magazine, newspaper, and other types of articles on my topic? You can find full-text articles and biographical information by using these electronic databases:
Θ Important note: You will need a special username and password in order to access these databases remotely. Please come to the reference desk at the library to pick up the necessary access codes.
How do I find credible web sources on my topic?
In this section, "web pages" means the "free web"--web sites anyone can access--not web-based research tools like the databases that the library provides. The free web has a lot of great things to offer, but not all the sources found there are appropriate for academic research. How can you determine if the sources you've found are credible? Ask yourself the following questions:
Below are some credible web sources you can try:
United Nations Sites
The homepage for the United Nations.
United Nations Documentation: Research Guide An overview of United Nations documentation and guidance on how to work with them.
Permanent Missions to the United Nations Search here for your country's UN representatives as well as their policy statements on various topics.
United Nations Scholars' Workstation A collection of texts, data sets, maps, and pointers to print and electronic information covering subjects like economic and social development, environment, human rights, etc.
Country Information Sites
This site is from the Library of Congress and provides information on countries that includes Constitution, Executive, Judicial, Legislative and general sources.
Another site from the Library of Congress. Provides links to electronic resources for countries around the world.
Provides information on countries including Geography, People, Government, Economy, Communications, Transportation, Military, and Transnational Issues.
How do I get more help finding sources for my topic?
If you feel like you need help getting started, finding more detailed materials, or if you have any questions in general, please feel free to come to the library and ask a reference librarian for help.
Billy Pashaie: 01/05/07 © Helen Miller Bailey Library East Los Angeles College |