Library Research Tips
The Cardinal Meyer Library offers a variety of print and electronic resources that provide information needed to successfully complete your assignments. The following information is intended to help you identify your topic and gather appropriate information. Do not expect to get the best possible results right away. Be prepared to put some time into your research project.
Identify Topic
- Choose a topic in consultation with your instructor.
Survey Reference Resources
- Specialized encyclopedias, dictionaries, and handbooks are good places to start your research. They provide an overview of a topic along with references to other books or articles on the subject.
- Textbooks present a broad overview of a subject that may help clarify ideas and identify a topic.
- Bibliographies that are found in encyclopedias, dictionaries, textbooks and journal articles are excellent sources for further research.
Locate Materials in SabreSearch
SabreSearch
- Use the Online Catalog (SabreSearch) to locate books, book chapters, ebooks, DVDs, streaming videos and other materials located in the Cardinal Meyer Library and worldwide.
- SabreSearch Tutorial:
click to watch a video on how to find materials in the Library.
Locate Periodical Articles
Evaluate Materials
Not all materials found will provide appropriate or useful information. Before selecting a source to use in your paper, consider the following:
Citing Materials
Citation formats vary. The formats commonly used at Marian University are MLA and APA. Copies of the MLA and APA manuals are available at the Library Reference Desk. Ask your professor for the preferred choice.
Evaluating Internet Resources
In addition to scholarly resources which are available in databases and full text journal articles, the Internet provides access to a wide range of sites that must be carefully evaluated before including them in your research. Consider the following:
- Scholarly journals are referred or peer-reviewed. The Internet is open to anyone who wants to put up information whether accurate or not. Consider the authenticity of the information provided.
- The Cardinal Meyer Library Web page includes links to Internet sites. Included are reputable university and government sites. All sites have been reviewed by librarians or experts in the field.
Need Help?
Please ask for assistance at the Reference Desk. From off campus, call 920-923-8096.
For online help using our databases, check out our Database Guides and Tutorials page. Subject specific tutorials are available via Marian Online 2. Your username is the first part of your Marian University email address — i.e. everything before “@marianuniversity.edu.” Your password is your Marian University email password.
For information on accessing databases from off-campus, see the Off-Campus Access page.