Resource Introduction
- 1. Introduction to Gale Virtual Reference Library By: Madison Snow
- 2. Brainstorm before searching -Make a list of terms, people, or events that relate to your research questions Start broad and narrow as you go -A general keyword search is a great place to start Don’t get frustrated! -It often takes multiple searches to find what you’re looking for Ask for help if you need it -Librarians are here to help! General Search Advice
- 3. GVRL provides: -Access to a variety of encyclopedias, almanacs and other reference materials -Full-text e-books For historical research: -Great place to find background information -Written with the layperson in mind Why Gale Virtual Reference Library?
- 4. Start at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library home page How to Get There
- 5. Scroll over the “RESEARCH IT” tab Select “Resource Search” How to Get There
- 6. This page lists all of the online databases available through the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library All resources are available remotely with your library card How to Get There
- 7. Scroll down OR select “G” at the top of the list Select “Gale Virtual Reference Library” How to Get There
- 9. This introduction will highlight three common types of searches 1. General keyword searches 1. Subject searches 2. Advanced searches Overview of Searches
- 10. Type search term into the search box at the top of the page Don’t be afraid to start broad and narrow the results after searching Example search term: “Scotland” General Keyword Searches
- 11. “Scotland” yields 13,240 results To narrow use tool/links on left OR “Search within results” Example search term: “Jacobite” General Keyword Searches
- 12. Searching “Scotland” and “Jacobite” yields a more manageable 186 results But, you can narrow even more Example search term: “1745” (the year of a Jacobite Rising in Scotland) General Keyword Searches
- 13. When narrowed to “Scotland,” “Jacobite,” and “1745,” the search yields 96 results Results can be narrowed further using same procedure General Keyword Searches
- 14. Why do a subject search? It can be helpful if you want to know how a term relates to one subject BUT Searching just within “history” sources can be limiting because it excludes biographical sources, general reference sources, etc. Subject Searches
- 15. Select “History” from subject list on the GVRL home page Using the search bar, you can search WITHIN all historical resources Subject Searches
- 16. Example search term: “Jacobite Rebellion” within History Subject Searches
- 17. “Jacobite Rebellion” yields 21 results To narrow down, use tools/links on the left-hand side OR “Search within results” Subject Searches
- 18. Looking for something very specific? Try an advanced search Click “Advanced Search” at the top of any GVRL page Advanced Searches
- 19. The advanced search menu gives you many ways to customize your search To add more search lines hit the + sign on the right side Advanced Searches
- 20. Use the drop-down boxes to change search criteria The options allow you to customize your search Advanced Searches
- 21. This advanced search will look for the keywords “Scotland,” “Jacobite,” and “1745” Advanced Searches
- 22. This advanced search yields 14 results Be selective about when you do advanced searches Narrowing search terms from the start also narrows your results Advanced Searches
- 23. Scroll through and look for articles that seem to answer your questions Results labeled “Topic Overview” are a great place to start if you need more background information Click on an article title to view the full text Search Results
- 24. Once you’ve read through an article, to get back to search results, click the “Search Results” link in the top left corner Navigating Through Articles
- 25. I HAVE ABIDED BY THE UNCG Academic Integrity Policy ON THIS ASSIGNMENT. Student’s Signature: Madison Snow Date: March 3, 2015 Academic Integrity Pledge
Editor's Notes
- #5: Courtesy of www.cmlibrary.org