Beginning Your Research

Before You Start

Anatomy of a Scholarly Article

NCSU Web Page

How to...understand scholarly article structure

Concept Map: Plan Your Research

Video: 01:30

How to...organize & generate search terms

How Data Becomes Knowledge

Credo Video: 04:17

How to...understand data creation
 

Manage Citations: Zotero

Videos: Est. 20 Mins.

How to...manage your citations for a research project using Zotero

Narrow Your Topic

Credo Video: 03:34

How to...choose & clarify a research topic

Peer Review

Credo Video: 02:41

How to...understand the peer review process

Primary & Secondary Sources

Instructional Guide

How to...identify primary & secondary sources

Quantitative & Qualitative Research

Credo Video: 02:04

How to...differentiate research methods

Types of Resources

Credo Video: 03:47

How to...identify books, periodicals & web sources

Types of Sources

Instructional Guide

How to...identify popular, scholarly, or trade sources

Finding Resources

Find Accessible Media @Mason

Step-by-Step Guide

How to...find accessible media using Mason Search

Find DVDs & VHS

Video: 01:34

How to...find physical media @Mason

Find Full Text from Citations

Step-by-Step Guide

How to...read citations & get full text @Mason

Find Rare Books in Special Collections

Video: 01:43

How to...find sources in Special Collections @Mason

Find 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

Mason Search Pt 1: Basic Search

Video: 01:52

How to...find sources @Mason

Mason Search Pt 2: Advanced Search

Video: 01:45

How to...find & filter sources @Mason & beyond

Mason Search Pt 3: Manage Search Results

Video: 03:48

How to...save, export & access sources @Mason

Mason Search Pt 4: Access Full Text

Video: 02:24

How to...access the full text of online resources @Mason

Searching is Strategic Pt 1

Credo Video: 03:37

How to...brainstorm search terms & evaluate results

Searching is Strategic Pt 2

Credo Video: 03:18

How to...use subject headings & manage searches

Search Techniques Pt 1

Interactive Credo Video: Est. 10 Mins.

How to...choose search terms & use Boolean Operators

Search Techniques Pt 2

Interactive Credo Video: Est. 10 Mins.

How to...use advanced database features

Evaluating Your Research

Evaluating Sources

Credo Video: 04:40

How to...analyze & use 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

Visual Literacy

Credo Video: 03:52

How to...search for & evaluate images

Wrapping Up Your Research

Creating Your Research Product

Anatomy of a Research Paper

Credo Video: 01:57

How to...write an introduction, body & conclusion

Creating a Research Poster With SP@RC

Video: 04:09

How to...format & create a research poster using a template

Delivering a Presentation

Credo Video: 04:06

How to...practice & deliver a presentation

Research Ethics

Academic Integrity

Credo Video: 03:13

How to...understand academic ethics

Copyright

Credo Video: 04:08

How to...understand basic US copyright laws

Objectivity in Reporting

Credo Video: 06:10

How to...distinguish bias from neutrality in news

Understanding Plagiarism

Video: 02:51

How to...avoid stealing other people's work

Library Services

Find Items @Fenwick

Instructional Guide

How to...locate an item @Fenwick using a call number

Contact & Meet with Your Subject Librarian

Instructional Guide

How to...format an email to and prepare for meeting with your subject librarian

How Items are organized @Mason

Instructional Guide

How to...read a Library of Congress call number

My Library Account @Mason

Video: 03:22

How to...access account, borrow/renew items & check fines

Request Interlibrary Loan @Mason

Video: 02:47

How to...request items not owned by Mason
 

Using Google Scholar @Mason

Step-by-Step Guide

How to...link Google Scholar to Mason resources

Additional Questions & Help

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