Librarians can help you learn to make the most of the information resources, tools, and services of Murphy Library and beyond!
Weekdays & Sunday afternoons (fall/spring):
Any time (year-round):
Local history and/or archives research? Special Collections / Area Research Center specialists are available!
This library guide was put together to highlight information resources in communication studies and abroad. This is intended to help you access and explore library resources in order to find credible sources to use in your assignment.
Murphy Library connects UWL students to information not only by providing free access to resources, but also by offering help when it comes to searching for and evaluating information. Feel free to reach out to the library with any questions you have throughout your research process. This guide will be here for the remainder of the semester, so please refer back to it!
1. Start by thinking about your topic - what problem has your group chosen to focus on? What different solutions have been discussed?
Ask yourself, "What do I want to know?" What is relevant to the prompt of your assignment? What matters to you?
Pull out key terms (words or phrases you might use in a search) and make lists of synonyms for each term.
2. Try searching in multiple places.
Search@UW is a far-reaching tool that covers a wide variety of information. Try your searches in a few of the library databases listed on this guide. Try browsing background information. Try your searches in a web browser, like Google.
Don't try just one search. Try many different approaches with different search terms until you find relevant results!
Set aside a place for you to take notes while you search; keep track of where you've searched, what terms you've used, and save the permalinks so you can get back to any sources that caught your eye.
Start with simple keyword searches, then add filters to narrow your results. (Especially filtering by date!) Try out some advanced search tips in databases, like using topic/subject filters.
3. Access full text of articles.
Once you've read an abstract in a database for an article you would like to continue reading, look for a button to view the PDF or click the button to route through Search@UW and retrieve the full text.
Use Murphy Library ILLiad Interlibrary Loan service for items not available in your local libraries.
4. Reach out for help!
Visit the library Reference Desk in Murphy. Call us at (608) 785-8508, email refemail@uwlax.edu, or use the Ask A Librarian online form. You can also set up an Individual Research Consultation.