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The library is assessing eleven of the learning objects on this page with short surveys. Completing your first, sixth, and eleventh surveys from this list automatically qualifies George Mason students for a prize. Additionally, for every survey you complete, you will be entered in a raffle drawing for one of four prizes: a backpack stuffed with supplies, a GMU hoodie/sweatshirt, a GMU Stanley cup, and a study room reservation during the fall semester's finals period. Students can only complete each survey one time.
The eligible tutorials on this page are Concept Map, Developing Research Topics and Questions, Intro to Research Methods, Peer Review Process, Primary & Secondary Sources, Types of Sources, Beginning the Research Process, Finding Sources Fast!, Library Database Search Strategies, Evaluating Sources: The CRAAP Test, and Information Lifecycle. For more information, see our page on the tutorial assessment project or reach out to Elise Mertz at emertz@gmu.edu.
Before You Start
Concept Map: Plan Your Research
Video: 01:30
How to...organize & generate search terms
Developing Research Topics and Questions
Video: 10:07
How to...create research topics and questions
Intro to Research Methods
Interactive Guide
How to...define and choose research methods
Managing Citations: Zotero
Videos: Est. 20 Mins.
How to...manage your citations using Zotero
Peer Review Process
Interactive Guide: Est. 10 Mins.
How to...describe and locate peer reviewed articles
Primary & Secondary Sources
Instructional Guide
How to...identify primary & secondary sources
Types of Sources
Instructional Guide
How to...identify popular, scholarly, or trade sources
Finding Resources
Accessing Full Text With Mason Search
Video: 02:24
How to...access the full text of online resources @Mason
Beginning the Research Process
Video: 04:26
How to...brainstorm research topics & select source types
Doing a Simple Mason Search
Video: 02:34
How to...find sources @Mason
Doing an Advanced Mason Search
Video: 02:52
How to...find & filter sources @Mason & beyond
Finding Accessible Media @Mason
Step-by-Step Guide
How to...find accessible media using Mason Search
Finding Videos
Video: 01:34
How to...find videos @Mason
Finding Full Text from Citations
Step-by-Step Guide
How to...read citations & get full text @Mason
Finding Rare Books in Special Collections
Video: 01:43
How to...find sources in Special Collections @Mason
Finding Sources FAST!
Instructional Guide
How to...use citation mining to optimize your research
Interpreting Citations
Step-by-Step Guide
How to...read MLA & APA citations to identify sources
Library Database Search Strategies
Video: 05:01
How to...pick keywords & use Boolean Operators
Managing Mason Search Results
Video: 02:33
How to...save, export & access sources @Mason
Evaluating Sources
Evaluating Sources: The CRAAP Test
Video: 04:59
How to...use guidelines to analyze sources
Information Lifecycle
Interactive Guide: Est. 10 Mins.
How to...understand the way information is published & analyzed over time
Wrapping Up Your Research
Creating a Research Poster With SP@RC
Video: 04:09
How to...format & create a research poster using a template
Library Services
Emailing & Meeting Your Subject Librarian
Instructional Guide
How to...get support from your subject librarian
Finding Items @Fenwick
Instructional Guide
How to...locate an item @Fenwick using a call number
Fix It!
Step-by-Step Guide
How to...troubleshoot online library resources
Reading a Mason Libraries Call Number
Instructional Guide
How to...read a Library of Congress call number
My Mason Library Account
Video: 02:55
How to...borrow/renew items & check fines
Using Google Scholar @Mason
Step-by-Step Guide
How to...link Google Scholar to Mason resources
Additional Questions & Help
If you have trouble or questions about topics covered in these tutorials use the Ask a Librarian chat service. If you would like to help us improve our tutorial page, please provide feedback.