Library Research

 

Library Research Picking a Topic Finding Books Find Books at our library Find Books at other NJ Academic libaries Finding Articles Strategies for searching the databases  Use interlibrary loan Find specific journals in the library

 

 

Picking a Topic

 

• Selecting a topic for a research paper or project can be very challenging. You will want to select a topic that is of interest to you. This will make the research , reading and writing less of a chore. (TIP: Always start with a broad topic. It is easier to eliminate information as you write than it is to try an bulk up your paper.) It is a good idea to wait to decide on a topic until you do some preliminary searching for books, articles, and web-based resources. If you can't find enough, you will want the flexibility to select a new topic.  A great start to preliminary research is browing the REFERENCE SECTION in the library (located on the 3rd floor).

 

 

 

 

Suggested Reference Sources:
The Fifties in America	Ref E169.12 .F498 2005	A 3-volume set which contains alphabetic entries on topics that include movies, movie stars, presidents, politics, international affairs, bomb tests, styles, fads, music, and television. Each entry begins with a definition, date, location (when pertinent) initial brief overview, and concludes with a short annotated bibliography.
American Popular Culture through History: The 1950s	Ref E169.12 .Y69 2004	This volume is one of 17 in the series, each of which presents essays on Everyday America, The World of Youth, Advertising, Architecture, Fashion, Food, Leisure Activities, Literature, Music, Performing Arts, Travel, and Visual Arts.
The Annals of America	Ref E 173.A793	Primary sources including pictures
American Decades	Ref E169.1.A471977	Each volume of American Decades Primary Sources includes approximately 200 full or excerpted primary sources in 160-170 entries from the period representing a diversity of views that provide insight into the seminal issues, themes, movements and events from the decade. Also included are concise contextual information, notes about the author, further resources, and more than 250 photos and illustrations. chapters on the arts, medicine and health, media, education, world events, religion, government and politics, lifestyles and social trends, law and justice, religion, business and the economy, and sports.
Day by Day: the Fifties	Ref D 842.5.M47 1979	The major events of the decade for every day and in every field: world developments, U.S. affairs, culture, sports, and science. 100 photos. Index. Chronology.
Bowling, Beatniks, and Bell-Bottoms	Ref E169.1.B7825 2002	This 5-volume set  focuses solely on the trends and fads of popular culture of the century. Arranged chronologically by decade, major topics include products and brands, toys and games, music and dance, holidays, shopping, sports, movements and much more. conflict, a timetable of events, important documents, and biographies of notable people.
Hulton Getty Picture Collection	Ref D21.1.Y39 1998	Collection of photographs
The Rockin' '50s: the people who made the music	Ref ML 156.4.R6 H45 1998	Complete guide to the great rock and R&B instrumental and vocal groups and solo artists of the day. Includes an overview of '50s rock styles, from R&B to Country, Rockabilly, and Doo-wop. This is followed by a complete A to Z of key artists, groups, and personalities. Each entry gives the complete personnel of each group, with birthplace and date (and date of death, if appropriate), instrument played, and any other significant role (vocals, songwriting, producing) in the group. A complete narrative history of the group is then given, with analysis of key recordings. Finally, a comprehensive discography, listing original releases and recent reissues on CDs is included. Photographs from rock archives enhance the text.

 

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Finding Books

 

Find Books at our library

 

• Catalog:use this link to find Books, government documents, reserve items, music, movies and journal titles (NOT JOURNAL ARTICLES) in our library

 

 

• Search the catalog using keywords to find materials
  • Write out a few keywords on your topics and enter them into the search box.
  • Don't write out a sentence. You will get zero results.

 

• For Example: I know I am interested in writing something about the suburbs and maybe suburban living.
• my FIRST search will be broad and might be: suburbs 
  • DON'T STOP here! Revise your searches and use the results to find other material
  • Revised Search: I want to focus on suburban life in united states
  • my NEXT search: suburban life united states OR you could find this by using the "SUBJECTS ETC..." button in a record

     

     

 

TIPS:

 

1. ALWAYS go back and revise your searches. Look at your terms and think about alternative terms to use!!
2. Start with broad searches!!
3. Use the Subjects, etc... link in a catalog record to find more information on a specific subject area
4. Click on the call numbers to "virtually browse" the library's shelves

 

 

 

Find Books at other NJ Academic libaries

 

• Catalog: use this link to locate material at other NJ academic libraries. Use Interlibrary Loan to get the material you find or drive to local schools and pick up the book.

 

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Finding Articles

 

• These databases are for finding journal articles
• They are available 24/7 ONLY to Ramapo students
• Off campus use requires login: Ramapo email and password
• Some useful Databases for your projects:

 

General Databases
Academic Search Premier	A multi-disciplinary database containing both full-text articles and citations. Tip: When only a citation is included, click on the "Check availability at Ramapo" link to see if the full text of the article is available in our collection.
Expanded Academic	Another multidisplinary database that contains many full-text articles. Tip: If your search results include citations or abstracts (not full-text articles), click on the Check availability link within each citation to see if you have access to the journal being cited.
Wilson Omnifile Mega Full-Text	Over 4,000 journals. Coverage back as early as 1982 ensures that every search is as deep as it is broad. Users have access to information on virtually any subject.
History Databases
America: History and Life (abc-clio)   America: History and Life (Ebsco)	History of the United States and Canada from pre-history to the present.   Tip:(ABC-Clio version) Links to JSTOR and Ebsco. When only a citation is included, click on the "Primary Catalog" link to see if the full text of the article is available in our collection.   Tip:(Ebsco version) When only a citation is included, click on the "Check availability at Ramapo" link to see if the full text of the article is available in our collection.
Historical Abstracts (abc-clio)   Historical Abstracts (Ebsco)	Tip:(ABC-Clio version) Links to JSTOR and Ebsco. When only a citation is included, click on the "Primary Catalog" link to see if the full text of the article is available in our collection.     Tip:(Ebsco version) When only a citation is included, click on the "Check availability at Ramapo" link to see if the full text of the article is available in our collection.
JSTOR	Tip: entirely full-text.  Cannot email articles-email yourself the stable url. Do not print from browser print button. Use the JSTOR print option
African American Studies Center	Includes bibliographies, interactive timelines and maps, thematic photo essays and image collections, key primary source documents, and editorially selected links to Internet resources.
Historical Newspapers
Historical New York Times	full-text of the entire NY Times from 1851-2002 Tip: Use the Page Map link (upper right hand side of screen) IN a record to view the entire front page of paper OR from the search screen click on MORE OPTIONS then DOCUMENT TYPE: FRONT PAGE
Historical Wasington Post	Full text of the entire paper from 1877-1991 Tip: Use the Page Map link (upper right hand side of screen) IN a record to view the entire front page of paper OR from the search screen click on MORE OPTIONS then DOCUMENT TYPE: FRONT PAGE
Historical Christian Science Monito	Full text of the entire paper from 1908-1994 Tip: Use the Page Map link (upper right hand side of screen) IN a record to view the entire front page of paper OR from the search screen click on MORE OPTIONS then DOCUMENT TYPE: FRONT PAGE
Historical Wall Street Journal	Full text of the entire paper from 1889-1990 Tip: Use the Page Map link (upper right hand side of screen) IN a record to view the entire front page of paper OR from the search screen click on MORE OPTIONS then DOCUMENT TYPE: FRONT PAGE
Others
Biographies Plus	With coverage of newsmakers and figures of prominence from a wide range of fields Tip: entirely full-text
Literature Resource Center	Provides access to biographies, bibliographies, and critical analyses of authors from every age and literary discipline.

 

 

Strategies for searching the databases

 

• Always go back and revise your searches! Look at using different terms and synonyms.
• Always switch to the Advance Search page in a database. This will give you more control over your results.
• Always use Boolean Operators-AND, OR, NOT when running a search. For Example: tupperware and women and "tupperware parties"
  • AND: narrows your search ex: women and tupperware
  • OR: broadens your search ex: (fifties or 1950s) 

     

  • NOT: eliminates ex: "Nazi Germany" not "Wiemar republic"
• Always check your Spelling if the database results are Zero.
• To look for full-text use the: check availablity at Ramapo, primary catalog, or check availability links in the databases
•  Use the Subject Terms or Thesaurus link in databases to find the best search terms to use

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 Use interlibrary loan

 

• Use Interlibrary Loan if we don't have a book or article that you need

 

• Fill out the online form using your Ramapo Email (it will not be processed without that email address)

 

• WARNING: give yourself time (it can take longer than 2 weeks in some cases)

 

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Find specific journals in the library

 

• Use the Journal Finder to locate the full-text of journals in our library. These can be either online or in print.