1. Using Academic Search Premier: A Beginners Guide to Library Research
This presentation was developed for
WRIT 095: Developmental Writing at
Montana State University Great Fallsby Jana Carter during the Fall 2009 semester

2. Game plan
Get your ideas on paper before you begin looking for information. Write an outline, make a mind map, or take extensive notes before you hit the library!

3. What is an index or database?
Like any list of contacts, but searchable by any criteria you can think of (keyword, author, title, subject, date, publication, to name a few)
The Librarys databases provide full-text articles from publications from all over the world
The Librarys databases also provide a pre-screened content you dont have to worry about whether its true, only about whether its relevant to your paper

4. What it looks like

5. Anatomy of Academic Search Premier
Search boxes. There are three blank fields in which you will enter your search terms.
Search Options. There are check boxes and dropdown menus to help you set limiters and expanders.

6. Search terms and limiters
A search term is a word related to your topic
Look for the intersection of your search terms
Be flexible look for synonyms, fewer terms, more terms, or use the subject terms that the database suggests if youre not getting good results
Narrow the search by setting limiters set the source type, publication year, or full-text options to modify results

7. Choosing search terms
In this case, the search terms are too vague
In this case, the search terms are more specific

8. Accessing the Indexes & Databases
Follow these hops to get to Academic Search Premier
Start at the Weaver Librarys Indexes & Databases homepage, http://library.msugf.edu/IndexesDatabases.html, then click Academic Search Premier, and click View site.
If youre planning on working at home, stop by the Library so that the staff can set you up with a Proxy account!

9. Refining search results
Its essential to stay flexible! Look for synonyms, fewer terms, more terms, or use the subject terms that the database suggests if youre not getting good results
Brainstorm with a classmate! Talking through your ideas may give you a useful perspective and good ideas
Ask for help when you get stuck! Both your instructor and the Librarys staff are old hands asking is relatively painless