What Else You Might Need and Where To Find It
The type and quantity of materials that a researcher needs will be determined largely by the scope of the research project. For example, an undergraduate research paper that provides a basic literature review might not require massive amounts of research and could be completed using a couple of full-text databases or even a single full-text database, while a master's thesis or doctoral dissertation might require that the researcher scour every possible database for as much information as possible. Even a thorough search of many databases might not provide a researcher with everything that he or she needs to complete a project. For example, a researcher examining the spread and control of the ebola virus might want to include statistical data on ebola outbreaks over an extended period of time. If the researcher is fortunate, he or she might find an article that provides much of the data, but, more than likely, it might be necessary to gather the statistics from elsewhere. But from where?
In situations like the one above, a good working understanding of how a library is organized, what types of materials it can provide access to, and where to go to ask questions will be very valuable. Knowing that a library frequently houses statistical sources such as the Statistical Abstract of the United States and the United Nations' Statistical Yearbook in the Reference Collection will save the researcher considerable time. Knowing that Reference Librarians will know which sources provide the best data can also save the researcher much time as well.
Because library databases are provided by many vendors and because library collections may be indexed in several databases, there is currently no single search that will cover everything available through a library's collections. This situation may soon change, however, as library systems vendors develop multi-search services that can allow a user to search across many databases for information using one computer interface. Even when this does become possible, the library's collection of research materials that are still largely accessible only in print will still be accessible only through manual search methods. The majority of computerized databases available to library users at this point provide access to materials produced within the past thirty years at best. Many allow access to materials no earlier than the early 80s. The availability of full text sources may be even more limited. So a researcher will likely be faced with finding print materials to suit many needs, especially in projects that require historical research.
In short, the book is not dead, nor does it seem likely to die any time soon.
While the scope of this document doesn't allow for a comprehensive list of places to go for more information, following are some basic suggestions for commonly requested types of materials for support of research projects.
| Material Needed | Possible Strategies | |
| Business Statistics | Search the library's catalog using the keywords "business" and "statistics" to discover sources such as the Handbook of Key Economic Indicators and Business Statistics of the United States. To find data on specific industries, try a keyword search on "industry" and "surveys" to locate sources such as Standard & Poor's Industry Surveys. To find standard operating ratios for numerous lines of business, try searching the library's catalog for keywords "business" and "ratios" to identify standard references such as Duns' Key Business Ratios. You could also use the Standard & Poor's NetAdvantage service to get a wide variety of data on companies and industries. NetAdvantage is linked from the library's Business subject database listing. |
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| Citation Tracking | Researchers might find important leads to additional literature by tracking which authors have cited other authors' works. For example, a researcher who knows that Freud's Interpretation of Dreams was a seminal work in dream analysis might want to find out what authors cited his work in their articles or books. This is a specialized type of searching that is facilitated by Citation Indexes, such as the Social Sciences Citation Index and the Science Citation Index. These indexes actually track authors' bibliographies and cross-reference them so that researchers can trace a research thread over time. The UNF Library has the Social Sciences Citation Index in print covering from 1966 to date and the Science Citation Index in print from 1961 through 1991. The library also subscribes to the online Web of Science, which includes both the Social Sciences Citation and the Science Citation databases online. Web of Science can be found cross-listed in a number of the library's database subject guides, including Social Sciences and Education. |
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| Conference Papers | Cutting edge research may often be reported at professional conferences and meetings long before it finds its way into print in the professional journals. These types of materials sometimes are difficult to find. Occasionally the association or organization sponsoring the conference will publish a collection of the papers presented. These collected papers may appear in book form, as a special issue of the association's journal, or even on the association's Web site. Presenters may also submit their papers to clearing houses like ERIC for inclusion online or in a collection of microfiche. If the papers have been formally collected, then it is usually possible to track them down using an index of conference proceedings or by using a database that specializes in the subject area. Since these can be tricky to find, a researcher new to this type of material might want to seek help at the Reference Desk. The library's databases can also provide help. The Conference Papers Index, PapersFirst, and ProceedingsFirst databases can be quite helpful to researchers trying to track down on paper presented at a professional conference or meeting. |
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| Demographic Data | Search the library's catalog using the keyword "demographics" to find sources such as Sourcebook of Zip Code Demographics and Demographics USA, both current sources in the Reference Collection. Data from the United States Census will also be useful. Search "census" in the library's catalog. And of course the U.S. Census has its own website at http://www.census.gov. |
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| Illustations, photographs, and other graphics | Any library collection will have books of art and photography. Some libraries also maintain clipping files which may include artwork taken from book jackets and from other disposable sources. Clipping files may not be searchable through a library's catalog and will likely have a separate print or electronic index. The Internet is also a rich source of graphic materials. Try a Google Image search to get a sense of what is available. Keep in mind that copyright restrictions will apply to most materials that you find. Many library databases also let you search articles for illustrations and other special formats. This varies from database to database, but the Wilson Web databases have this feature available. |
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| International Data | The United Nations gathers world data on nearly anything that you might wish to research. Many UN publications will be housed in the library's Reference Collection (sources such as the Demographic Yearbook and Handbook of Industrial Statistcs). To quickly locate publications from the United Nations, do a search of the catalog for United Nations as the author. You can also limit the search just to the Reference Collection to get a listing of most of their yearbooks. The UN's Web site is also a goldmine of international data. (http://www.un.org) For international financial data, one of the most comprehensive sources is the World Bank's International Financial Statistics, housed in the library's Reference Collection. The library has this publication from 1981 to date. The IMF also maintains a great deal of data at their website at http://www.imf.org. |
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| Maps | All libraries keep collections of cartographic materials, sometimes including topographic and political maps and a variety of atlases. Maps, because of their format will be kept in cabinets especially designed to keep them safe, while atlases may just be interfiled in the library's regular book collection. The Internet is also a great source for locating cartographic materials. Try a Google Image search to find maps on a variety of topics. | |
| Manuscripts and Archival Materials | Many libraries have special collections of manuscripts and other archival materials that need special treatment to protect and preserve them. Projects that involve researching historical figures can be helped along by such collections. For example, researchers looking into local history for Jacksonville, Florida, will find a wealth of materials at the UNF library and at the Jacksonville Public Library. Most cities will have a public library and most public libraries make an effort to preserve materials of local historical importance. Many libraries are now digitizing collections that could be of potential historical value to researchers. An example in Florida is the statewide Florida history project that is known as PALMM. These collections are searchable and contain images of the original documents. |
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| Newspaper Articles | Although the library's collection of databases includes a number of newspaper collections, to find articles in papers prior to the late 1960s, a researcher will likely need to use printed newspaper indexes and collections of microfilm. Major, internationally acclaimed newspapers will normally have indexes, but these are normally print indexes. For example, the UNF Library has indexes for both the New York Times and the Times of London that allow a researcher to look for articles by topic going back as early as 1851 and 1785, respectively. Both newspapers are housed in the library's Periodicals Collection. Both are on microfilm. The index to the Times of London is searchable online from 1906 forward, but the library has no such online index at this point for the New York Times. Google also is digitizing old newspapers, so there may be a number of publications going back many years searchable in Google's news archive search (http://news.google.com/archivesearch). For example, a news archive search for "civil war" in publications printed from 1861 through 1865 turns up close to 6,000 matches. |
Updated 11/08.
