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Welcome Information
Literacy This
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Electronic Databases
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WELCOME to the online tutorial for Library and Research Services. You are about to embark on an educational journey that is both stimulating and rewarding. You will have access to a wealth of information.
It is the purpose of this library research tutorial to assist in meeting the instructional needs of the college population. The primary function is to facilitate and improve learning by providing, instruction, guidance, resources, and services in support of the college curriculum. A secondary function is to provide resources and services relevant to the information needs and to the intellectual, professional, cultural, and personal growth of the college community.
INFORMATION LITERACY People who are information literate are those who are able to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information… Ultimately, information literate people are those who have learned how to learn. They know how to learn because they know how knowledge is organized, how to find information, and how to use information in such a way that others can learn from them. They are people prepared for lifelong learning, because they can always find the information needed for any task or decision at hand." American Library Association
Information literacy is an important key to student success. With this key, you will be able to unlock many resources contained in the library and use them efficiently and effectively in doing research preparatory to writing essays, giving speeches, participating in group discussions, and studying for exams. Experience has demonstrated that the student who has become information literate is not only more successful in school, but also is better equipped for lifelong learning, on the job, at home, and in the community.
THIS TUTORIAL is designed in five modules that will lead you step-by-step through the complete research process.
- Module 1 offers you methods of topic selection, steps for planning your research and saving time, tips on the information needed for documenting your sources, and a preview of how your final draft should look.
- Module 2 guides you through a logical five-step process of choosing sources for your research. Print and electronic sources are recommended for encyclopedias, current events sources/pamphlet files, periodical and newspaper articles, books, and Internet sources.
- Module 3 stresses the importance of your careful selection and evaluation of source materials in order to insure that the information you’ve gathered is authoritative and accurate. This module examines the evaluation processes used for print sources, for electronic or CD-ROM databases, and for World Wide Web sites.
- Module 4 guides you in the use of MLA (Modern Language Association) format for citing the sources you’ve used for research. Information here includes what print and Internet sources to use for MLA, the specific information you’ll need to document your sources, guidelines for the MLA works cited list and parenthetical notes, rules for punctuating titles, hundreds of examples, and an emphasis on the importance of avoiding plagiarism.
- Module 5 provides you a model for your finished product.
RESOURCES - In addition to the modules, a group of highly useful resources has been specially selected for your immediate access. These resources include the following: the Dallas TeleCollege Library Homepage, the Library Catalog, Library Catalogs on the World Wide Web, Ask a Librarian, a Topics List, a Library Handbook, the Virtual Reference Desk, The Best Information On The Net, Favorite Websites, and the Online Databases.
ELECTRONIC DATABASES - As a distance learner registered in any DCCC course, you will have access to numerous electronic databases available through the Online Databases. These databases will be useful in helping you locate information in periodicals and newspapers, as well as in a multitude of other specialized sources that are selected electronic database subscriptions of the DCCC. To access these DCCC online databases, you will need to know your social security number and your Personal Identification Number, or PIN. These databases are among the many valuable resources available to you.
SITE SEARCH - For your convenience, this site is searchable by keyword. Just enter a keyword in the search box to locate specific topics covered in this tutorial.
YOUR COMMENTS - Send your comments to Alice Fulbright.
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