Research Tutorial - Introduction

Welcome to the University Libraries' Research Tutorial. These short lessons are designed to introduce you to the major tools you will use to conduct research. The focus is on tools accessible through a computer linked to the Libraries. You may choose to work through this tutorial from start to finish or to look only at the part(s) that answer an immediate need, and explain a specific tool. Use the navigation links on the right side to move between the sections of the tutorial.

Part 1	Planning your Research
Part 2	Find Your Way Around
Part 3	Finding Books
Part 4	Finding Periodical Articles Using General Databases
Part 5	Finding Periodical Articles Using Subject Databases
Part 6	Finding Periodicals in the University Libraries
Part 7	Searching the World Wide Web
Part 8	Evaluating Information
Part 9	Citing Sources
Part 10	Library Definitions

Some of these lessons include sample screens, which are not interactive. A link to the tool being discussed is included with the exercises for practice. You may need to disable pop-up blockers and/or firewalls to complete this tutorial.

Please remember that there are library staff available to help you, whether you are working on the tutorial, using the tools, or at any other time. Do not hesitate to ask. You can ask reference staff in the libraries, phone 860.768.4142 or send your questions through email.

While every effort has been made to avoid jargon in this Tutorial, you may find terms which are unfamiliar to you. We have developed a page of Library Definitions to help you. Most of these lessons include short exercises. A printed worksheet is available. If you were assigned this tutorial for a class, your instructor may have given you a copy. You can also print your own.

Additionally, remember that websites and databases do change their appearance and layout from time-to-time. Although the figures in the tutorial are updated to reflect major revisions on those sites, don't be alarmed if the database you're trying out doesn't look exactly like the picture — the basic procedure is still the same.