Glossary

An article created by academics for research and educational purposes. They are also typically found in college and university databases.

A handbook or calendar that usually provides reference information on hobbies, sports, or natural phenomena such as weather patterns, tide tables, and astronomical events

A list of citations for resources related to a specific topic, with a summary, analysis, and reflection on the utility of each resource

Explanatory notes added to a text or diagram

A collection of historical documents, records, or other materials that are preserved for long-term storage and future reference.

Sources that provide general, factual, or historical context for a topic.

A list of works, such as articles or books, about a specific subject. A bibliography may stand alone or come at the end of another work.

The words AND, OR, and NOT used with search terms to direct a search to include or exclude certain search results. Boolean operators can be used to make advanced searches.

a sequence of numbers (and sometimes letters) that tells you where on the shelf to find a book or other physical item owned by a library

A library catalog contains records for all the items owned or licensed by a library and is typically searchable online.

A digital tool that automatically formats citations based on input data and selected citation style.

An online platform and tool that helps collect, organize, cite, and share various types of sources.

In the context of a research paper, a claim is:
A statement or assertion that expresses the main point or argument the writer is trying to prove or support with evidence

Information widely known and accepted, which typically does not require citation.

Also known as "conference proceedings," research written and presented at a discipline or profession specific conference.

A keyboard shortcut (Ctrl + F) used to find specific words or phrases in digital documents or web pages. On Mac computers, use Command + F

The timeliness of a source—whether it is recent enough or from the appropriate time period for your research.

A tool for finding and accessing digital content, usually focusing on a specific subject or type of resource

Statistical data that describe the characteristics of a population

Digital books that can be accessed online.

Primary sources or data that are analyzed or interpreted as evidence

Based on established evidence or proven events.

Something that is possible to do easily or conveniently, or capable of being done or carried out successfully

The checkboxes down the side of a list of search results that you use to narrow down the results. Frequently includes resource type, date, and subject.

the entire text of an information resource such as a book or an article

Focus on measuring the natural world. Also known as natural or physical sciences. Examples include chemistry, biology, and physics.

Academic disciplines that study aspects of human society and culture, including certain fundamental questions asked by humans. Disciplines include history, languages, law, literature, political science, the performing and visual arts, and more.

A testable prediction or educated guess about the relationship between two or more variables, often used in scientific research.

An alphabetical list of topics used to locate information quickly.

An internal collection consisting of research conducted by both faculty and students of an academic institution. This can include theses, dissertations, and pre-prints of published works.

1) property (such as a concept, idea, invention, or work) that derives from the effort of the mind or intellect
2) a right or registration (such as a patent, trademark, trade secret, or copyright) relating to or protecting this property

A system in which one library requests a resource from another library for the use of an individual

An identification or serial number that is used to identify any book, both digital and in print.

Usually, an evidence-based paper written by experts providing original research data, reviewing existing research or analyzing specific information in a particular field.

A technique where you leave the original source to see what others say about it, helping you assess its credibility.

A person who acts as a bridge between students and academic departments or faculty.

a search tool primarily for finding physical items owned by a library, although it may include licensed digital content as well

A typically digital listing of a library's collection of books, resources, and other materials available to its users.

One of the main categorization systems used in libraries. This catalog system is typically found in academic and research libraries.

Branches of science that involve the scientific study of life – such as microorganisms, plants, and animals including human beings. Discipines include biology, botany, ecology, genetics, paleontology, toxicology, zoology, and more.

A standalone or section of a scholarly paper that surveys existing research and arguments on a topic.

Sources that offer theories, methodologies, or analytical frameworks used to interpret evidence.

Section of a scholarly journal article that describes how the authors collected their data. Also called "methodology."

a visual technique for brainstorming that involves starting with one topic and drawing lines to connect it to related concepts

The process of refining a broad subject into a more specific area of interest to make research more manageable and focused.

News sources, such as newspapers and some broadcast media channels or shows, inform the general public about recent events.

From a neutral standpoint or perspective.

a tool that searches multiple library catalogs or databases at the same time (usually not recommended)

A publishing model that allows free, immediate, and unrestricted access to scholarly research and academic content online.

any information resource published in periodic issues, such as a newspaper, magazine, or journal

Based on a specific viewpoint, belief or opinion.

A straightforward question that can usually be answered with a quick search or factual response.

A log of places you have searched, what you searched for, what filters you used, and what you found. Used to help you keep track of your research process.

Document that outlines the steps of a research project, especially what types of library resources to search for and where to look for them

Peer-reviewed article published in an academic journal, usually at least 15 pages long and summarizing existing research on a topic or presenting new research, with citations

A database used for academic or research purposes, with most content being from peer-reviewed publications.

Sensational sources, such as tabloids and clickbait articles, prioritize arousing an emotional response over objectivity. They are entertaining but not usually appropriate to use for research.

Focus on studying human society and social relationships. Examples include economics, politics, and psychology.

Physical and online information and data used in research. This can include articles, websites, books, newspapers, and videos.

A library faculty or staff member who specializes in a particular research area and tends to be more familiar with databases and resources associated with that field.

A tab is an individual webpage that is open within a web browser. Multiple tabs can be open at the same time in a single browser window, allowing users to switch between different websites or documents without opening a new window.

Trade sources are written by practitioners (not scholars) in a field, for an audience of others who work in the same field.

The layout, buttons, and other interactive features that you (as the user) see when you interact with a website or piece of software

Evaluating a source by staying within it—looking at its design, domain, or internal content—rather than checking external references.

A free online encyclopedia that is useful for background reading but not typically accepted as a citable academic source. https://www.wikipedia.org/

A window is a separate browser instance that can contain one or more tabs. Each window operates independently and can be moved, resized, or displayed on a different screen.

A list of all sources cited in a research paper, formatted according to a specific citation style.