Learn how to find out which version of a standard is active and how to locate a copy of it. Many of the same principles discussed in this tutorial can be applied to finding other types of standards.
Brief tutorial on using ZipSearch
There are self-paced library tutorials that student can take.
Library 101 opens in new window is a library orientation. You will find out what services are available through the library and it will teach you how to do some basic functions. It will take you approximately 20 minutes to complete. Upon successful completion, you will receive a certificate.
Keeping your References and Notes Organized opens in new window discusses how to choose a reference manager. Also, it discusses three reference managers in-depth, where you choose one of them to try. A reference manager helps you keep your references and notes organized, which will help you when you start writing your paper.
Let’s say that we searched the UA Libraries Catalog for books on our topic, but we did not find much. There could be more books on this topic. One option to find more books is to search Google Books.
When books are no longer protected by copyright, the entire book is available to download from Google Books. Usually these books are very old (e.g. 1920). Most books, especially recent ones, in Google Books have a limited or no preview. If we find an interesting book in Google Books, we could search the title in the UA Libraries catalog to find out if the library has it.
Let's try the search (parallel computing cardiac OR cardiology) in Google Books. A book, Parallel Computing Technologies, seems to be interesting. Now, search the UA Libraries Catalog choosing keywords in the title because it is a conference proceeding. The book might have a slightly different title in the UA Libraries Catalog than in Google Books. When using the search query,
Catalog Search: Parallel computing technologies PaCT opens new window
in the catalog, we find the book electronically. Relevant information is in the section, A Parallel Genetic Algorithm to Adjust a Cardiac Model Based on Cellular Automaton and Mass-Spring Systems.
When searching the UA Libraries Catalog using similar search terms (“parallel computing” OR “parallel processing”) and (heart* OR cardi**), opens new window the book does not appear in the results list.
This time, we try the search (accessibility web higher education) in Google Books. A book, E-learning and Disability in Higher Education, seems to be interesting. Now, search the UA Libraries Catalog by title to find out if we have the book because we have the exact title. Sometimes, a keyword search can give you too many results. When using the search query,
Catalog Title Search: E-learning and Disability in Higher Education opens new window
in the catalog, we find the book in our library.
When searching the UA Libraries Catalog using similar search terms (accessibility web higher education) opens new window, the book does not appear in the results list.
Try a reference manager. All reference managers have advantages and disadvantages. Mostly, it is a matter of preference. For more information about reference managers, go to