This guide provides information on the many different library resources available to you, some basic tips on how to do research, and contact information if you need assistance from a librarian. Some of this information is specific to the Mabee Library, Washburn University, but many of the ideas and search strategies presented here apply to most academic libraries. Note: Washburn students may search many of the resources listed below from any computer with Internet access. To access restricted resources, you will be prompted to enter your name and WU ID number.

Help

Reference librarians are ready to assist you in the use of the Library's resources, in early and continuing consultation on research projects, in the use of electronic databases, and with computer searching.

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Selecting a Topic

Explore the following if you need help selecting a topic for your argument paper:

• News magazines - Recent issues of news and current affairs magazines are located on the shelves to your right as you enter Mabee Library. Browse through Atlantic Monthly, Business Week, The Futurist, Harper's, National Review, New Republic, Newsweek, Time, or U.S. News & World Report for possible topics.
• Magazines in a particular field - To find current hot topics in a particular field, browse through magazines or journals (periodicals) in our collection that cover a subject of interest to you.
  • A complete listing of our periodical holdings may be found in the Reference Area on the second floor of the library and in the Periodical Collection on the first floor. An electronic version of the Mabee Library Periodical Holdings is available at http://www.washburn.edu/mabee/researchTools/MABEE_LIST.pdf .
  • You may also search the library catalog to find a list of magazines and journals by subject. For example, perform a "general subject" search of the library catalog for "sports medicine periodicals" or "business periodicals" to retrieve a list of journal titles in these subjects owned by the Library.
• CQ Researcher - CQResearcher provides in-depth, up-to-date background information on the most current and controversial social issues of today.
• For the full-text of contemporary speeches, check out Vital Speeches of the Day (WU Mabee Periodicals Lower level) - Covers 1940 to 2006.
  • You may also search the Expanded Academic ASAP electronic database to find the full-text of speeches in Vital Speeches of the Day.

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Finding Articles

Finding Articles that Present Different Points of View

To narrow your search to articles that present different points of view, try these strategies:

• Conduct a keyword search for your topic and include some form of the word argue. Although argue and argument are not searchable subject headings, some form of the word may appear in the abstract or full text of the article. In some databases, you may use a wildcard (usually an asterisk *) to search all variations of a word, for example, argu* .
  • Additional keywords to try: pros, cons, opposing, viewpoints, against, proponents, issues, opinion, and refute.
• Look for a subdirectory or sub-heading that includes the phrase "Moral and Ethical Aspects."
  • Additional sub-headings to look for: Economic Aspects, Law and Legislation, Political Aspects, Psychological Aspects, Public Opinion, Religious Aspects, Social Aspects

Journals are a great source of information on current topics and lists of references at the end of articles can provide leads to additional sources. Articles from scholarly journals often provide the most current and detailed information on a subject. Scholarly journals are also referred to as peer-reviewed journals or refereed journals. The articles in a refereed journal are reviewed and evaluated by experts in the field prior to publication. This process assures the reader that the content is reliable and timely. The reviewers, or editorial board, are usually listed in the front of the journal with their organizational affiliation. Here you can find a research guide that will help you identify refereed journals. In some electronic databases, such as Expanded Academic ASAP, you may limit your search to articles in peer-reviewed journals.

Journal articles on specific subjects can be found through specialized indexes. Some indexes include abstracts, or summaries, of articles. Some indexes are print. Some indexes are electronic; these are often referred to as electronic databases. Caution: Mabee Library does not subscribe to all the journals found in these indexes. Conduct a "periodical title" search of the library catalog to find out if we subscribe to a journal. Sometimes the Library subscribes to both the print and electronic versions of a journal (see the example).

• Print journals are located on the 1st floor (lower level) of the library; they are arranged in alphabetical order by journal title (disregarding a, an, and the at the beginning of the title). Call 670-1483 if you need assistance on the 1st floor.
• Back issues of print journals may also be located on microfiche cards or microfilm reels. These are housed in cabinets on the 1st floor (lower level) at the north end. There is no charge to print from microfiche/microfilm. Call 670-1483 if you need assistance with microfiche or microfilm.
• Electronic journals may be accessed by following the link provided in the library catalog. Note: Remote users will be required to enter their name and Washburn ID number. Call 670-1483 if you have problems with remote access to electronic journals.

Listed below are a few general- and subject-oriented indexes and databases. Washburn students, faculty and staff may access electronic search services from off-campus by using your Washburn ID number. Call 670-1483 if you have problems with remote access to the electronic indexes/databases.

• Academic Universe (Lexis-Nexis) - LexisNexis® Academic provides searchable access to a comprehensive spectrum of full-text information from over 5,600 sources, selected to meet academic research needs, including national and regional newspapers, wire services, broadcast transcripts, international news, non-English language sources, U.S. Federal and state case law, legal news, law reviews, international legal information, business news journals, company financial information, SEC filings and reports, and industry and market news.
  
• Contemporary Women's Issues - Includes articles about development, pay equity, education, politics, family life, reproductive rights, gender equity, sociology, health, violence and exploitation, human rights, legal status, the workplace, and lesbian concerns.
• CQResearcher - The CQ Researcher Online is both a tool for selecting a topic to research and a comprehensive resource for exploring the most current and controversial issues of the day.
• Expanded Academic ASAP - Expanded Academic ASAP® is comprised of more than 3,500 indexed and full-text titles — of which 2,100 are peer-reviewed — in all disciplines with more than 20 years of backfile coverage and an intuitive interface that expedites successful searches. Expanded Academic ASAP offers balanced coverage on a wide-range of topics including social sciences, humanities, education, science and technology.
• FactSearch - FactSearch is a specialized database of statistical statements on current social, economic, political, health, and environmental issues and public policy topics, excerpted from more than 1,100 mainstream and alternative sources.
• Humanities Index - Find articles about archaeology, food, philosophy, art, journalism, religion, classics, linguistics, space, film, music, world history, folklore, performing arts, and world literature. Indexes articles from 1984 to the present.
• InfoTrac One File - Thomson Gale's InfoTrac OneFile is a comprehensive periodical resource that puts more than 39 million database records at researchers' fingertips. More than 9,200 titles and backfile coverage from 1980 from mainstream to specialized sources and an intuitive search interface make this an unequaled source for virtually every popular, business and professional topic.
• JSTOR - JSTOR is a full-text archive of scholarly journals. Coverage is usually from the first issue up until 3-5 years ago.
• Literature Resource Center - Rich in biographical, and critical content, the Literature Resource Center is the premier Internet resource for information on literary figures from all time periods writing in such genres as fiction, nonfiction, poetry, drama, history, journalism, and more.
• PAIS Archives and PAIS International - PAIS is a database chronicling global public policy and social issues. PAIS Archives covers 1915 to 1976. PAIS International covers 1972 to the present.
• PsycINFO - PsycINFO contains citations and summaries of journal articles, book chapters, books, and technical reports, as well as citations to dissertations, all in the field of psychology and psychological aspects of related disciplines, such as medicine, psychiatry, nursing, sociology, education, pharmacology, physiology, linguistics, anthropology, business, and law. Covers 1872 to the present.
  

Newspaper Articles

The Library also provides access to newspaper indexes, back issues of newspapers on microfiche, and back issues of newspapers on microfilm. These may be viewed and printed (free of charge) using machines located on the 1st floor (lower level) of the Library. Call 670-1483 if you have problems with remote access to the electronic newspaper archives.

• Custom Newspapers - Custom Newspapers is a full text database of over 160 U.S. newspapers and English language foreign papers.
• The National Newspaper Index - The National Newspaper Index provides quick access to the indexing of America's top five newspapers in one seamless search: The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Christian Science Monitor, Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post. Covers 1977 to the present.
• The New York Times Index (WU Mabee Reference AI21 .N44) - Covers 1913 to February 2005.
• Newspaper Abstracts - Newspaper Abstracts indexes significant items from over 50 U.S. national and regional newspapers. Covers 1989 to the present.
• The Topeka Capital-Journal (WU Mabee Microfilm Lower level) - Covers 1980 to November 2005. The most recent issues may be requested from the Circulation Desk.
• The Topeka Capital-Journal - Follow the link for electronic access to the Topeka Capital-Journal.
• The Topeka Daily Capital (WU Mabee Microfilm Lower level) - Covers 1970 to 1980.

The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library maintains an index to Topeka papers. Mabee Library does not have an index to Topeka papers.

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Finding Books

Encyclopedias and Dictionaries

A good starting point to find background information on a topic is in general and special encyclopedias, dictionaries or handbooks. These sources provide an overview of a topic, identify key people and concepts, define unfamiliar terms, and often include a list of books and articles on a given topic. They are also good for narrowing down a topic. You may want to browse the Mabee Library Reference Collection or search other Reference Works online from http://www.washburn.edu/mabee/researchTools/elec_dbs.html . Ask a reference librarian if you need assistance.

The Library Catalog

Books are generally not as current as journal articles, but they provide a more comprehensive coverage of a subject. Search the library catalog to find books on a specific subject. You may search by book title, subject, keyword(s), or a combination of author and title. Subject searching is most effective when you already know the Library of Congress Subject Heading to use. Computer terminals are located on all three floors of the library. Call 670-1483 if you need assistance on the 3rd floor.

Mabee Library has several book collections that compile pro/con arguments about contemporary social issues. Conduct a "keyword" search for opposing viewpoints, at issue, current controversies, contemporary issues, contemporary world issues, reference shelf, taking sides, and library in a book to retrieve a list of titles in these collections.

Books with a

• LOCATION of WU Mabee Stacks are on the 3rd floor. Books are arranged by call number from A to Z.
• LOCATION of WU Mabee Oversize are on the shelves at the north end of the 3rd floor. Books are arranged by call number from A to Z.
• LOCATION of WU Mabee Reference are on the shelves in the middle of the 2nd floor. Books are arranged by call number from A to Z.
• LOCATION of WU Mabee Koch are in the Koch Room on the 2nd floor. The Koch Art History Collection is a special collection, which contains more than 12,000 monographs, exhibition catalogs, periodical volumes, auction catalogs and ephemera generally covering the history of visual arts, photography and architecture. Due to the specialized nature of the collection, the items are available for in-library use only. Ask a librarian for assistance.
• LOCATION of WU Mabee Washburn Room are in the Archives and Special Collections Room on the 1st floor. Due to the specialized nature of the collection, the items are available for in-library use only. These materials are available for use by appointment only. Contact Martha Imparato, martha.imparato@washburn.edu or 670-1981, the archives librarian for assistance.
• LOCATION of WU Mabee Rare Book are in the Archives and Special Collections Room on the 1st floor. Due to the specialized nature of the collection, the items are available for in-library use only. These materials are available for use by appointment only. Contact Martha Imparato, martha.imparato@washburn.edu or 670-1981, the archives librarian for assistance.

Here is a complete guide on how to find books in the Mabee Library.

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Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery

If the Mabee Library does not own or have access to a particular book or journal, you may request a copy of the article or the book through Interlibrary Loan; this free service normally takes 7-10 days for books and 2-7 days for journal articles..

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Citing Your Sources

Style manuals provide the necessary information for documentation and style in writing research papers and reports. The MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers is located on the Mabee Library Reference Desk. A good online MLA style guide is available from the Purdue University Online Writing Lab at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_mla.html .

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http://www.washburn.edu/mabee/crc/courses/en101

February 2006