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Browsing the Library Search Box Results. Don't be overwhelmed by the Library Search Box results! Keep the following points in mind to help you navigate them:  

• The keywords you entered will show up as highlighted terms throughout the results page. 
• The results listed at the very top are typically the most relevant to your search keywords.  
• When you find good results, look at the subject headings listed at the bottom of the abstract. These keywords are used to identify what the article is about. Use these terms to find more articles about your topic. 
• Use the filters at the top of the page to reduce the number of results by limiting by date, publication type and more. 
• Ask for help from the librarians. The Ask Us service is there to help you find the best research on your topic! 

For additional tips, be sure to watch the "Using the Library Search Box" video.

Articles found in the library can be downloaded. When you locate a helpful article in a library database such as EBSCO or ProQuest, look underneath the citation for a full-text PDF attachment that allows you to download and save the article to your device (or email it to yourself or export it to RefWorks). While you can download articles from the library's databases, please note that they are copyrighted and for your use only. You may not post them online but you can share a link to an article from the database.

Hopefully, it's no surprise to you that the University Library is staffed with friendly, knowledgeable humans (not robots!) ready to assist you. Connect with them seven days a week for personalized research support through the Ask Us! service. Also, keep an eye on the library events calendar for monthly live webinars on a range of topics such as Using RefWorks, Searching Theories & Theorists, and Developing a Topic.

Yes, you read that right! The University Library provides access to full text dissertations through dedicated dissertation databases. Here are a few reasons why you’ll want to explore them: 

• Deep dive into specific topics and uncover findings that may not be published elsewhere.
• Browse reference sections for a ready-made list of resources on a topic. 
• Inspire future research and identify gaps in the existing literature.

For a step-by-step guide on how to explore the dissertation databases, check out this FAQ: Where do I find dissertations in the library?

Keeping track of your research from multiple databases helps you save time and be more efficient. Use RefWorks, a free citation management tool in the library, to help you collect, organize, and format your references—all in one place. RefWorks makes it easier to cite as you write and stay organized throughout your project. See the RefWorks Toolkit for more information.

The library isn’t just about articles and books—it’s also a great resource for career development. Check out databases like Mind Tools for networking skills and developing a personal brand or PrepSTEP for resume help. These are just a few of the resources designed to support your professional growth. You can find them in the Back to School Toolkit.

Using APA format in your writing ensures you give proper credit to your sources, avoid plagiarism, and communicate your ideas clearly and professionally. Although getting started with APA can feel overwhelming, the University Library’s APA Toolkit makes learning the basics easier. The toolkit includes citation tools, formatting guidance, and even interactive online escape rooms to help you practice and develop your skills. It’s a great resource for building confidence!

If you need to find data or statistics for an assignment, the library databases are a great place to look. Some databases, like Sage Data, are completely dedicated to data, while others, like EBSCO and ProQuest, contain data and statistics within the text of articles and reports. See our Get Started with Data, Datasets, and Statistics guide for more help.

Have you checked out the University Library's blog, "Keeping Up with the Librarians"? It's a great spot to discover library resources and services in a fun and informal way (Yes, you can research Dolly Parton or the Loch Ness monster in an academic library!). The blog demonstrates that you can research almost anything, including topics like food recipes, history, travel, holidays, film and TV, and more (see past posts here). To access it, just click on the blog link in the top toolbar of the library homepage. You can also find the latest posts on the library homepage’s What’s New carousel. Be sure to subscribe to get notifications whenever a new post is uploaded.

Advanced searching in the library is a game-changer for finding targeted and accurate search results. Instead of typing in random keywords, it helps you be specific. Here’s how:

1. Customize your search by splitting up or combining terms.
2. Search specific fields like author, title, or subject.
3. Use Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to narrow or expand your search.
4. Filter the results by date, source type, and proximity modes.

The advanced search is actually easier than a basic search! This feature skips the clutter of basic searches and gets you the most relevant results fast. You'll find the advanced search option on the library homepage; just click the magnifying glass under the red Search button. Many of the library’s databases offer an advanced search option with the above search functionalities – see the library's toolkits for guidance. Check out this video on how to get started with the library's advanced search option.