This research worksheet is a helpful planning guide for researching a general topic using library databases.

Use One Search to search across multiple databases at once. Use the Advanced Search to break your search into keywords and concepts such as "science fiction" and "writing" and "methods."

The Bailey Library provides online access to credible articles and books through library databases. Using databases saves time and provides access to content that is not available freely on the web.

Databases for Fiction and Poetry 

Databases for Drama and Plays

Databases for Journalism

Search the Bailey Library catalog for print books and e-books:

You can also search specifically for e-books. These can be accessed directly on a computer or mobile device.

Domain-Specific Search

When using Google, you can increase your odds of finding credible resources by using a domain-specific search to pull information from specific domains such as .gov, .org, and .edu (but you'll still have to evaluate all information your find!).

• .gov - government (Federal and state government agencies use the Web to publish legislation, census information, weather data, tax forms and many other documents)
• .org - sometimes a non-profit organization (Nonprofit organizations use the Web to promote their causes. These pages are good sources to use when comparing different sides of an issue)
• .edu - educational institution (Even though a page comes from an educational institution, it does not mean the institution endorses the views published by students or faculty members)

How to Do a Domain-Specific Search

Source Evaluation Wheel

Check out the following guides for more information on how to find books and articles through the library: