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Library Research Strategies

What types of sources will I find?

What types of sources are you likely to find when you search?  The answer depends on which resources you use to conduct your searches - databases will get you articles, the library catalog will get you books, the Web will get you websites, etc,  You can find links to these resources in the find background info, find articles, and find books and ebooks tabs in this guide's navigation menu.  What types of sources are best for your research project?  You can compare characteristics of different sources on the Types of sources tab under Evaluating information in the navigation menu.

Ask a Librarian

Visit a librarian at the Reference Desk on the first floor of Ablah Library or contact a Subject Librarian to make an appointment. See the full schedule of library hours for the main library (Ablah) and for the Chemistry and Music branch libraries. Ablah Library hours are also available on an automated phone line: 316-978-3581.

Circulation Desk (Ablah Library)  316-978-3582
Reference Desk (Ablah Library)  316-978-3584
Music Library  316-978-3029
Chemistry Library  316-978-3764
Interlibrary Loan  316-978-3167

Email a librarian with your question.

Find background information

Conversation

Brighter Than Sunshine. (2005, Jul. 10). Conversation. Retrieved from C:\Users\u878f388\Desktop\2016-11-11 12_22_30-All sizes _ conversation _ Flickr - Photo Sharing!.jpg. Used under the Creative Commons License.

These Reference databases can help if you need to find some quick facts or background information on your topic.

Full guide to reference sources

The reference databases above are just a few of the most broad reference sources available to you.  The WSU University Libraries offers many more, which you can find on the following separate guide.

Legend

Icon = WSU Faculty, Staff & Students only

Icon = Available to everyone

full text = Full text

some full text = Some full text

abstract / citation = Abstract / Citation

index = Index

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