Skip to Main Content

Graduate Student Workshop Series: Finding - General

Getting the Mindset

  • Authority Is Constructed and Contextual
  • Information Creation as a Process
  • Information Has Value
  • Research as Inquiry
  • Scholarship as Conversation
  • Searching as Strategic Exploration

Graduate Studies and Assessment Librarian

Profile Photo
Kristin Johnson
Contact:
Mabee Library 206
210-805-5809

Graduate Student Resources

Which tool do I use?
  • Search box on the library homepage (Search Collections) and/or UIW Library Catalog:
    Use to find materials in our collections including books, ebooks, articles, and media.  Will also find open access materials.
  • UIW Libraries' Databases:
    Use to find resources for your research.  Check multiple databases - general/multidisciplinary and subject specific.
  • Journals List
    Use to find out which journal titles UIW has available (and what date ranges).  Great for when you already have a citation.
  • Interlibrary Loan
    Requests materials from other libraries to be sent to you - free service
  • WorldCat:
    Use to find books available at other libraries.  Will require Interlibrary Loan.
  • UIW Libraries' Research Guides:
    Use for research assistance.  Guides are customized for disciplines or specific class assignments (like this one).
  • Google Scholar:
    Use to locate scholarly articles or search the UIW Libraries' collections.
    Important: DON'T PAY!!  Try to interlibrary loan the articles you want (free service).

Quick search tips:

  • Brainstorm
  • Boolean operators (and, or, not), *, and quotes
  • Browse through the results
  • Persist (time and multiple searches)
  • Search systematically
  • Keep track of your search terms and tools
  • Experiment with search strategies
  • Try broader keywords (less is more)
  • Track down references from your sources
  • Look for a Cited By link

Save and organize your sources as you go

  1. Find a system that works for you
    • Email
    • Download
    • Database folders
    • Reference management tools
  2. Put them in the same place every time
  3. Take notes
    • Write summaries, notes, and thoughts as you read
    • Add them to your annotations
  4. Give your files names that make sense for you

Contact us for help!

Contact us to make an appointment!

We're here to help you with your research.
Computer and Study Space Reservations:
The new Cardinal LibSeats app allows library users to reserve computer workstation or quiet study spaces at UIW Libraries locations. To learn more about reserving seats, please see the UIW Libraries Computer and Study Spaces link below. 

This fall, we have two group study rooms available for graduate students:

  • Room 235 - max 4 students, requires reservations through LibCal Seats (so you can reserve ahead of time), must checkout key at circulation desk, room noise level: low - mid
  • Room 233 - max 4 students, first come first served, must checkout key at circulation desk, room noise level: quiet (as much as possible)
chat loading...