Library Orientation

Getting Started 

1. Use this site to navigate library subject guides, including APA Support, Video Tutorials, Doctoral Research Support, Researching 101, Preparing a Literature Review and more. Navigate to different guides using the links in the footer.
2. Use the Library A-Z List of Databases (see below) to find content to use in your assignments. The librarians recommend starting in ProQuest Central.
3. Always look in the library first to find free, full text content.
4. Follow the 10 minute rule - if you've spent more than 10 minutes in the library and you haven't found what you're looking for, contact the librarians for help at askthelibrarian@usuniversity.edu

Click here to access the A-Z List of Databases. This is where you will find the licensed library content: scholarly journal articles, dissertations & theses, ebooks, multimedia and more. Questions? Contact the librarians at: askthelibrarian@usuniversity.edu

When searching, follow these steps:

1. Choose an appropriate database from the A-Z List of Databases (see above). The Librarians recommend starting in ProQuest Central
2. Break your topic down into keywords and short phrases and plug them into the search boxes
3. Enclose phrases in quotation marks to keep words together in the search (e.g. "climate change")
4. Use limiters such as "Peer Reviewed" or "Publication Date" to narrow your results
5. Evaluate your results and modify your search if necessary
6. Keep track of your references either in RefWorks or another reference management system

Sample topic: Evaluate the impact of climate change on weather patterns in the United States

Sample search: "climate change" AND "united states" AND "weather patterns"

Check the "Peer Reviewed" box to limit to articles published in peer reviewed journals.