College of DuPage Library

SOS Online Fall 2013

Welcome to Zotero
Monday, October 7, 10-11 am
Join this session

Learn how the free, easy-to-use research tool can help you collect and organize your sources and even create your bibliography for you.
Librarian: Jason Ertz

Google Tools
Wednesday, October 9, 12-1 pm
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Leave your flashdrive behind and cut your ties to expensive office software! In this session, you'll learn to use Google's free productivity tools and cloud storage and filesharing services.
Librarian: Colin Koteles

Find Your Sources in JSTOR
Monday, October 14, 10-11 am
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Save time and aggravation! Learn how to use JSTOR’s search features to efficiently find useful sources fast. This webinar will focus on basic and advanced searching techniques and how to manage search results.
Librarian: Ken Orenic

You're the Boss of Google: Using Google For Research
Monday, October 14, 12-1 pm
Join this session

Love using Google but find yourself frustrated when it comes time to find the kind of information you need for college assignments? Learn about four Google tools that will help you bend the search engine to your will so you get what you need.
Librarian: Jennifer Kelley

Welcome to Zotero
Tuesday, October 22, 11-12 pm
Join this session

Learn how the free, easy-to-use research tool can help you collect and organize your sources and even create your bibliography for you.
Librarian: Ken Orenic

Welcome to Zotero
Wednesday, October 30, 12-1 pm
Join this session

Learn how the free, easy-to-use research tool can help you collect and organize your sources and even create your bibliography for you.
Librarian:Ken Orenic

Find Your Sources in JSTOR
Thursday, October 31, 2-3 pm
Join this session

Save time and aggravation! Learn how to use JSTOR’s search features to efficiently find useful sources fast. This webinar will focus on basic and advanced searching techniques and how to manage search results.
Librarian: Ken Orenic

Welcome to Zotero
Thursday, November 7, 8-9 am
Join this session

Learn how the free, easy-to-use research tool can help you collect and organize your sources and even create your bibliography for you.
Librarian:Ken Orenic

You're the Boss of Google: Using Google For Research
Thursday, November 7, 4-5 pm
Join this session

Love using Google but find yourself frustrated when it comes time to find the kind of information you need for college assignments? Learn about four Google tools that will help you bend the search engine to your will so you get what you need.
Librarian: Jennifer Kelley

Find Your Sources in JSTOR
Wednesday, November 13, 2-3 pm
Join this session

Save time and aggravation! Learn how to use JSTOR’s search features to efficiently find useful sources fast. This webinar will focus on basic and advanced searching techniques and how to manage search results.
Librarian: Ken Orenic

Find Your Sources in JSTOR
Tuesday, November 19, 8-9 am
Join this session

Save time and aggravation! Learn how to use JSTOR’s search features to efficiently find useful sources fast. This webinar will focus on basic and advanced searching techniques and how to manage search results.
Librarian: Ken Orenic

Welcome to Zotero
Wednesday, November 20, 1-2 pm
Join this session

Learn how the free, easy-to-use research tool can help you collect and organize your sources and even create your bibliography for you.
Librarian: Jason Ertz

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SOS

SOS Online Summer 2013

APA Citing & Formatting
Wednesday, June 5, 11-12 pm
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Learn the basics of the American Psychological Association (APA) documentation and formatting style, including the essentials of formatting a paper and citing the most common kinds of sources.
Librarian: Christine Kickels

Finding Sources
Tuesday, June 11, 2-3 pm
Join this session

You need books, articles and credible websites for your research project-- we'll show you how to find them!
Librarian: Jennifer Kelley

Introduction to Zotero
Wednesday, June 12, 12-1 pm
Join this session

Learn how the free, easy-to-use research tool can help you collect and organize your sources and even create your bibliography for you.
Librarian: Ken Orenic

Finding Sources
Monday, June 17, 1-2 pm
Join this session

You need books, articles and credible websites for your research project-- we'll show you how to find them!
Librarian: Jennifer Kelley

Using JSTOR: Finding Sources in the Humanities
Wednesday, June 19, 12-1 pm
Join this session

Save time and aggravation!   Learn how to use JSTOR’s search features to efficiently find useful sources fast.  This webinar will focus on basic and advanced searching techniques and how to manage search results.
Librarian: Ken Orenic

APA Citing & Formatting
Thursday, June 20, 10-11 am
Join this session

Learn the basics of the American Psychological Association (APA) documentation and formatting style, including the essentials of formatting a paper and citing the most common kinds of sources.
Librarian: Christine Kickels

Using JSTOR: Finding Sources in the Humanities
Monday, June 24, 12-1 pm
Join this session

Save time and aggravation!   Learn how to use JSTOR’s search features to efficiently find useful sources fast.  This webinar will focus on basic and advanced searching techniques and how to manage search results.
Librarian: Ken Orenic

How to Avoid Plagiarism
Tuesday, June 25, 12-1 pm
Join this session

Join us online for this popular topic. We’ll discuss what it is and provide strategies that will help you avoid the pitfalls that lead to plagiarism.
Librarian: Christine Kickels

Introduction to Zotero
Tuesday, July 2, 12-1 pm
Join this session

Learn how the free, easy-to-use research tool can help you collect and organize your sources and even create your bibliography for you.
Librarian: Jason Ertz

Getting Started with Research
Tuesday, July 9, 2-3 pm
Join this session

From picking a topic to brainstorming research questions and more! This short session will jump-start your project whether you're new to academic research or simply need a refresher. 
Librarian: Jennifer Kelley

MLA Citing & Formatting
Thursday, July 11, 2-3 pm
Join this session

Learn the basics of the Modern Language Association (MLA) documentation and formatting style, including the essentials of formatting a paper and citing the most common kinds of sources.
Librarian: Christine Kickels

Finding Sources
Wednesday, July 17, 10:30-11:30
Join this session

You need books, articles and credible websites for your research project-- we'll show you how to find them!
Librarian: Jennifer Kelley

You're the Boss of Google: Using Google for Research
Wednesday, July 24, 12-1 pm
Join this session

Love using Google but find yourself frustrated when it comes time to find the kind of information you need for college assignments? Learn about four Google tools that will help you bend the search engine to your will so you get what you need.
Librarian: Jennifer Kelley

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SOS

Philanthropy Collection

Collection
Upper Level

The Philanthropy Collection is a collection of books, magazines and databases to support research on philanthropic and fundraising topics. It was established in 2000 and is a partnership between the College of DuPage Library and the Donors Forum to meet the information needs of nonprofit organizations located in the western suburbs of Chicago. It is located on the upper level at the entrance to the main library staircase. Detailed information about the collection can be found here.

Philanthropy collection shelves
Tags: 
3200
philanthropy

Researching the Professions

Doing research within one's field is usually a very meaningful task since it should be something you are interested. This guide is meant to help you begin research into your individual fields so that you can start to become versed in said field and can start to become aware of the issues and/or trends in that field, constantly updating your knowledge.

For the basics of career research, please consult the College and Career Information collection and guide. This is where you can find information on job outlooks, salaries, work requirements, education requirments, "a day in the life...", and many other types of information. Please note the three section of that guide -- Jobs, Careers, and College. Use all three.

Finding information concerning trends, issues, or controversies within a discipline/field of study requires a different search strategy.

Looking for trends or issues within a discipline

For example, if one were studying to become an architect, one might do this search in Academic Search Premier database: Architecture AND trends. As of this writing, one of the articles in the results is: Sustainable energy performances of green buildings.

Now, without even reading this article, though one could for more ideas, it is possible to glean out a few ideas many architects are possibly considering within their careers – “sustainable energy”, “energy use”, and “green buildings”. The new search could then be a combination of these concepts: Architecture AND energy use. This would produce many articles on the topic of “energy use” and “energy conservation” [another concept to think about].

The key is to skim the results to find different concepts that may interest you and are likely to be researched or discussed inside the discipline/field you are pursuing. Even this topic “energy use” could be a great topic for a budding physicist as well.

The search strategy is to use what you already know about the discipline and use search terms like “trends,” “issues,” “new developments,” “problems,” or “controversy” to start to seek out new ideas. Some topics may be obvious and can just be searched from the beginning, like physics AND energy, but some may not be that obvious, especially if you are new to the field or just selected your major. Remember that these vague terms like "trends" could be used initially, but then dropped as you become more aware of what the actual trends are and search for those trends/issues specifically.

[NOTE: a short video of said search strategy is under construction]

Tags: 
careers
interests
major

OFTI Guide

people working in a conference roomThis guide will help you find books, videos, articles and websites about office technology information (OFTI). Use the tabs below and the menus on your right to start searching for different types of materials.

OFTI 1130 Research Guide
OFTI 2600 Research Guide

If you need additional help, come to the Library Reference Desk or Ask A Librarian.

  1. Books & Videos
  2. Databases
  3. Websites

Use the Library catalog to search the COD Library's collection of books, videos, e-books, and streaming media. Use your COD Library card to check these items out or access them online.

COD students, faculty, and staff can also create I-Share accounts that let you freely borrow books and videos from over 80 other academic libraries in Illinois. You can pick up and return I-Share items from the COD Library or any other member library.

Call Number Ranges

Use these call number ranges to browse the General Collection and the Reference Collection.

HF Computer science. (Programming languages and computing applications)
QA75.5 - 76.95 Computer science. (Programming languages and computing applications)
TK5101 - TK6720 Telecommunications. (Networks & networking)
TK5105.88 (Internet and web technologies)

Selected Titles

For certification guides (such as CCNA and A+ certifications) use the College and Career Information Center collection.

E-Books and Streaming Videos

These online books and videos can be accessed from the COD network or anywhere on the internet if you have a Library card.

Lynda.com
LyndaCampus ( Lynda.com ) provides a vast online library of instructional videos covering a variety of topics such as software training, business and creative skills, and study skills. Taught by accomplished teachers and recognized industry experts, Lynda.com is a high-quality resource for students, faculty, and staff looking to develop skills in Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, educational technology, social media, coding, and a wide range of other topics.
Learn more about Lynda.com
Safari Books Online
The Safari database contains books, videos, case studies and white papers on a variety of computing, design, and business topics. It includes top publishers like O'Reilly, Sam's, CISCO Press and many more.

Register for Safari using your COD email address. (Students: @dupage.edu / Faculty & Staff: @cod.edu)
Knovel Library
This database is a cross-searchable collection of electronic books covering many subjects in technology, engineering, applied technology, science, chemistry and physics and much more.
Springer E-book Collection
SpringerLink is a large collection of e-books covering topics in technology, sciences and medicine. The Library provides access to all titles published between 2005-2010. Use "Advanced Search" and limit to category of "Only Books." Then use "Publication Dates" between 2005-2010. Look for the green boxes for COD-owned titles.
Chapters from this collection can be downloaded in PDF to read off-line.

E-books can also be found using the Library Catalog. Additional E-book collections can be found on the Library's E-books Databases page.

Use database to locate journal, magazine, newspaper or specialized articles. Databases are useful for finding timely articles about specific or emerging technologies and researching tech company information. You can use your COD Library card to access and download articles from off-campus.

Learn more about databases

Databases are organized collections of information that you can search on a variety of fields, like title and author's name. iTunes is a database and so is Amazon. Even your contacts list in your phone is a type of mini database. The Library has databases of articles from newspapers, magazines and journals. We also have databases of streaming videos, music and e-books. The difference between our databases and iTunes or Amazon is that our stuff is free for you to use. Browse the Library's databases now.

 

Best Bets

Academic OneFile
Academic OneFile is great for both popular and peer-reviewed full-text articles from the world's leading journals and reference sources. With extensive coverage of current events, physical sciences, technology, medicine, social sciences, the arts, theology, literature and other subjects, Academic OneFile is an excellent resource for general research.
Academic Search Complete
Academic Search Premier contains indexing and full text for 4515 journals. This collection provides both scholarly and popular journal coverage for nearly all academic areas of study - including social sciences, humanities, education, computer sciences, engineering, physics, chemistry, language and linguistics, arts & literature, medical sciences and ethnic studies. Academic Search Premier is a great resource for general research.

Other Choices

See the Technology Research Databases page for other useful databases.

Below are some established, high-quality websites useful for a variety of computer science and technology related research, but there are endless others you can find on your own. There are a variety of general purpose and specialized search tools you can use to search the web, just remember you need to carefully evaluate the accuracy and reliability of information your find on the open web.

Technology News Sites

ArsTechnica
ArsTechnica is a technology-related website that covers technology, science, and gaming news along with editorial comment and analysis.
Gizmodo
Gizmodo is a technology blog dedicated to the latest technology devices.
LifeHacker
LifeHacker is a content-rich blog dedicated to life hacks and software productivity.
Slashdot
Slashdot covers every aspect of computer science from emerging technologies and gaming to programming and the technology industry.
TechCrunch
TechCrunch is a blog dedicated to profiling and reviewing new Internet products and companies.
Wired News
Wired.com is a daily news website covering all aspects of technology.

Devices and Reviews

C|NET
C|NET is a major portal for technology reviews, news, downloads, and price comparisons.
Engadget
Engadget is a multi-blog website covering consumer electronics and technology.
Technology Review
The oldest technology magazine in the world (est. 1899), Technology Review aims to promote the understanding of emerging technologies and to analyze their commercial, social, and political impacts. Technology Review is published by MIT.

Learning and Research

HowStuffWorks
HowStuffWorks includes countless articles and videos explaining how a wide variety of technologies work. Click on "Communication", "Computer", or "Electronics" in the top navigation area of the website.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy offers free practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard covering math, science, computer programming.
MIT Computer Science Courseware
Free lecture notes, exams, and videos for full MIT computer science and electrical engineering courses. No registration is required.
Stack Overflow
Stack overflow is an open forum featuring millions of questions and answers covering a wide variety of programming topics. This is an invaluable resource for debugging and finding tips for your programming projects.
TED Talks
Free online lectures given by the world's leading thinkers on a variety of technology topics. Click on "Technology" on the left-hand side of the page for just technology lectures.
Udemy Free
Udemy provides nearly 1,000 free online programming and development tutorials.
Wikipedia
Most current and emerging technology topics are covered in-depth in Wikipedia. Look for external links and citations for each entry to compare Wikipedia's information with different online sources.

OFTI @ COD

Use the College of DuPage OFTI site to learn about computer science and technology classes, degrees, and faculty at COD.

Tags: 
ofti

LTA Guide

icon for a digital library
This guide will help you find books, videos, articles and websites about Library Information Technology. Use the tabs below and the menus on your right to start searching for different types of materials.

If you need additional help, come to the Library Reference Desk or Ask A Librarian.

  1. Books & Videos
  2. Databases
  3. Websites
  4. Class Guides

Use the Library catalog to search the COD Library's collection of books, videos, e-books, and streaming media. Use your COD Library card to check these items out or access them online.

COD students, faculty, and staff can also create I-Share accounts that let you freely borrow books and videos from over 80 other academic libraries in Illinois. You can pick up and return I-Share items from the COD Library or any other member library.

Call Number Ranges

Use these call number ranges to browse the General Collection and the Reference Collection.

Z662 - 1039 Libraries and library science
HF5546 - 5548.6 Office management (Microsoft Office, etc.)
QA75.5 - 76.95 Computer science. (Programming languages, computing applications, etc.)
TK5105.88 (Internet and web technologies)

E-Books and Streaming Videos

These online books and videos can be accessed from the COD network or anywhere on the internet if you have a Library card.

Lynda.com
LyndaCampus ( Lynda.com ) provides a vast online library of instructional videos covering a variety of topics such as software training, business and creative skills, and study skills. Taught by accomplished teachers and recognized industry experts, Lynda.com is a high-quality resource for students, faculty, and staff looking to develop skills in Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, educational technology, social media, coding, and a wide range of other topics.
Learn more about Lynda.com
Safari Books Online
The Safari database contains books, videos, case studies and white papers on a variety of computing, design, and business topics. It includes top publishers like O'Reilly, Sam's, CISCO Press and many more.

Register for Safari using your COD email address. (Students: @dupage.edu / Faculty & Staff: @cod.edu)
Knovel Library
This database is a cross-searchable collection of electronic books covering many subjects in technology, engineering, applied technology, science, chemistry and physics and much more.
Springer E-book Collection
SpringerLink is a large collection of e-books covering topics in technology, sciences and medicine. The Library provides access to all titles published between 2005-2010. Use "Advanced Search" and limit to category of "Only Books." Then use "Publication Dates" between 2005-2010. Look for the green boxes for COD-owned titles.
Chapters from this collection can be downloaded in PDF to read off-line.

E-books can also be found using the Library Catalog. Additional E-book collections can be found on the Library's E-books Databases page.

Use database to locate journal, magazine, newspaper or specialized articles. Databases are useful for finding timely articles about specific or emerging technologies and researching tech company information. You can use your COD Library card to access and download articles from off-campus.

Learn more about databases

Databases are organized collections of information that you can search on a variety of fields, like title and author's name. iTunes is a database and so is Amazon. Even your contacts list in your phone is a type of mini database. The Library has databases of articles from newspapers, magazines and journals. We also have databases of streaming videos, music and e-books. The difference between our databases and iTunes or Amazon is that our stuff is free for you to use. Browse the Library's databases now.

 

Best Bets

Library Literature & Information Science
Library Literature & Information Science indexes articles cover to cover from key library and information science periodicals. This database encompasses some 390 journals, over 300 books annually, chapters in collected works such as conference proceedings, library school theses and pamphlets. Coverage reaches as far back as 1980. Subjects include automation, cataloging, censorship, circulation procedures, classification, copyright legislation, government aid, library associations & conferences, library equipment and supplies, personnel administration, preservation of materials, and more.
Library, Information Science And Technology Abstracts
This bibliographic database provides coverage on subjects such as librarianship, classification, cataloging, bibliometrics, online information retrieval, information management and more.

Other Choices

See the Library Science Databases and the Technology Research Databases pages for other useful databases.

Below are some established, high-quality websites useful for a variety of LTA related research, but there are endless others you can find on your own. There are a variety of general purpose and specialized search tools you can use to search the web, just remember you need to carefully evaluate the accuracy and reliability of information your find on the open web.

Library Associations

American Library Association
The American Library Association (ALA) is the oldest and largest library association in the world, providing association information, news, events, and advocacy resources for members, librarians, and library users.
Illinois Library Association
The main state association for library employees.
Library & Information Technology Association
LITA educates, serves and reaches out to its members, other ALA members and divisions, and the entire library and information community through its publications, programs and other activities designed to promote, develop, and aid in the implementation of library and information technology.
Resources for Library Support Staff
ALA information for and about library support staff and paraprofessionals

Library Profession

Library Journal
Libray Journal is the preimier trade journal for the library profession. It includes news, reviews, and opinions about a wide range of topics in the library profession.
LISNews
A useful clearinghouse of library and library science news
Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki
An open wiki designed to share ideas and knowledge among libraries and librarians of all types.
Project A+: Serving Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Academic Library
A manual of procedures to help students with this disorder.

Library Jobs

ALA JobLIST
The official ALA job listing database
I Need a Library Job eResource Center
The most extensive online resource for jobs for information professionals, librarians, knowledge managers and those in related fields
RAILS joblist
Local jobs listed from the Reaching Across Illinois Library System

LTA @ COD

Library and Information Technology program website
Tags: 
lta
lis
library science

E-mail Ask A Librarian

Use this form to send us your question. Provide as much information as possible.

  
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email

Sources: Journals

General Information

image credit: K-State Libraries
 

Periodical publications (usually monthly or quarterly), containing scholarship, empirical research reports, and/or learned commentary on subjects of special interest to a specific academic or professional community. Journals are a formal means of communicating ideas in academic scholarship; and publication in journals is a major criterion for promotion among university faculty.

Articles are peer reviewed or refereed (screened) before they are approved for publication by peer professionals (scholars and/or practitioners) who evaluate articles by such criteria as:
  • Sound methodology -- is the method by which these data were gathered consistent with normal and accepted practice within the discipline?
  • Conclusions -- are the conclusions consistent with the data gathered?
  • Significance -- is the research trivial within the context of the discipline?

Strengths:

  • Written by and for scholars, researchers, and professionals -- a formal conversation among specialists
  • Contain bibliographies with full citations
  • Filtering ensures high credibility
  • In-depth analysis of narrowly-focused subjects
  • Authoritative source for research findings

Considerations:

  • Dense, technical vocabularies may require reading an overview and gathering terminology beforehand
  • Normally published monthly or quarterly; not a great source for the latest developments
  • May only be available in libraries or through licensed Internet sources ($$)
  • Target audience: Scholars, researchers, & professionals within a discipline

 

Tags: 
research101
sources

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