History 356 -- Riggs

After searching the library catalog and databases, you may want to try the internet. There are good and bad points to this. 

• A LOT turns up in the result set unless you have a very carefully structured search phrase. 
• Access does not equal quality or accuracy, you will need to evaluate the content as with any other source (see Secondary Sources main page for how to evaluate.) 
• A hit does not guarantee you have access to the content (hello, Amazon!)
• Content may only be in pieces due to copyright or author restrictions. 
• Wading through unsuitable hits costs you time and effort and impacts your time to analyze your resources and write your paper! 

Prepare: 

• Strategize your search by using accurate and scholarly terms to describe your topic based on your prior research. 
• Set up your Google Scholar Preferences to provide links to material we have at CSUSM.
• Know that you may only find a citation and not the full text but you can request the item through Interlibrary Loan.
• Be critical of what you find.
  • Check for authority of the author
  • Check that is it up-to-date information
  • Compare with other sources
  • Look for proof! Just because you see it in print does not mean it is legitimate. 
• Ask for help! 

Here is how to set your Google Scholar Preferences to assist in accessing full text from the CSUSM collections.