Library Home

 
 

Basic Research Guide


c. by Chloe A. Medaris

 
 


Blue Ridge Community College
Houff Library

 

 
 Online Reference Sources - the first place to begin your research
 
Dictionaries
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary

Onelook Dictionaries - indexes 736 online dictionaries

General Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia Encarta
Encyclopaedia Britannica

Statistics
US Statistical Abstract
World Almanac (VIVA-FirstSearch)

Subject Guide to Online Reference Sources - full listing of general and subject specific online encyclopedias, dictionaries, maps, books, newspapers, catalogs, statistics, etc.

 
 Books and Print Resources - no limit on how many books you can check out at one time.  Our checkout period is four weeks.  Library cards are free at the Circulation Desk.
 
 
- To find books in the Library, search the BRCC Online Catalog
Quick Book Search:        

You can renew your books yourself, see what we say you have checked out, put holds on books that are currently checked out by someone else and see how much $ you owe us - all by clicking here and logging on with your Blackboard login/password.

   
Resources for locating books from other libraries.  
WorldCat - 88+ million books worldwide
Augusta County Library
Staunton Public Library

James Madison University
Massanutten Regional Library
Old Dominion University
University of Virginia
Virginia Tech Library


If you find a title you would like that BRCC does not own, use the Library's free interlibrary loan service. Print, or write out the information and e-mail the Library, bring it in (our hours) or call (our phone numbers). 
 
 Periodical Indexes (Magazines, Journals & Newspapers) - this is where you can print articles from actual magazines, journals and newspapers.  For free.
 

Indexes Containing Full-Text Articles Remote Access Directions to access our databases from your home computer.  It's easy.  You just need your Blackboard login/password.

Academic Search Complete - our new general database.
Associates Programs Source - our new database specially designed for community college students
Factiva (must use Internet Explorer)
- great for international viewpoints.  Everything is full-text.
Opposing Viewpoints -  gives you both sides of an issue - the only way to really know your issue. (this database makes your citations for you)
Subject Guide to Online Periodical Databases - use this if you have a subject area, for example psychology, but don't know which of our 200+ databases would work best for your topic.

 
 Internet  - you can surf the Net well, but here's how to evaluate what you find.
 
Web Site Evaluation Information - four questions you should ask yourself before using any website.  Not much of the Internet is of a scholarly nature, yet scholarly sources is what is required for college assignments and papers.
 
 Style Guides - for MLA and APA citations for your bibliography
 
Citation Builder (MLA, APA, Scientific Style) **Shenandoah Valley Governor School conducted a research study on our online citation builders and determined that the Citation Builder was the one most error free.***
Citation Machine (MLA, APA, Chicago, Turabian*Click More Resources at the top of the MLA or APA page to bring up
Work from a Subscription Service Accessed through a Library - one or more authors which is what you need to cite an article from one of the library's databases
BibBuilder (MLA)  
Citation Wizard (APA, Chicago, CBE, ISO, MLA)
EasyBib (MLA)
Knight Cite - MLA, APA, Chicago)
Noodle Tools (MLA)
SourceAid (MLA, APA, Chicago. CMS, CSE)
Student ABC Citation Machine (APA, MLA)
UTEL MLA-Style Bibliography Builder 1.0b (MLA)

Cheat Sheets (to check your results from the sites above because they are not 100% accurate)
APA Cheat Sheet
MLA Cheat Sheet

 
Assistance - just in case
 
Question?  E-Mail a Librarian - online form to ask a quick question of the Librarian.
LRC Live - real time online help from community college librarians in VA.
Online Suggestion Box - your tuition and fees help pay for the library so let us know what we can do for you.

7/1/08