Today's proliferation of Web sites and Internet search engines provide a wealth of research sources not available before the creation of the Internet. One needs to be careful, however, because many of the sources easily accessed through Internet search engines, such as Google, and Yahoo may (and often DO!) contain unreliable and/or false information. In addition, queries made using these search engines often produce a large number of irrelevant or minimally useful resources. Sorting through them can be time-consuming!
REMEMBER: using library WorldCat Discovery and commercially-produced subscription databases is generally a more efficient and reliable method of doing research than "surfing the Net!"
Also, REMEMBER: Work out some of your search strategy before going online! Think about your topic. Write down key terms, concepts, titles, and the names of key people whose thinking or work is relevant to your topic. Be sure to include synonyms of key terms and concepts. Also, consider important geograhic locations and time periods (i.e., geogrpahic and chronological limiters).
Places to look for information:
WorldCat Discover (The search bar on the Butler University homepage)
Use to find:
Be sure to use the limiters on the left-hand side of the screen to narrow down your results!
Electronic/Commercial Databases
Click on "Databases" on the Butler Libraries' Home Page (www.butler.edu/library)
Use to find:
Internet Search Engines
Examples include: Google, Google Scholar, Yahoo, AltaVista, AskJeeves, etc.
The Library strongly urges students to begin by searching Google Scholar! It's available from the "Databases" list.
Use to find websites containing revevant information to your topic, but BE CAREFUL! Be sure to evaluate the site for authority, currency, relevancy, purpose/bias.
Interlibrary Loan
Email Butler University Libraries
Irwin Library: 317-940-9227
Science Library: 317-940-9937
CAT: 317-940-8575