This document provides guidance on finding scholarly sources for research. It outlines resources available at the York University library including subject librarians for assistance, the library catalog for searching collections, research guides tailored to academic disciplines, databases for journal articles, and services for borrowing materials not available at York. The document also offers tips for evaluating sources, citing research, and leaving feedback to help improve library sessions.

1. Finding Scholarly Sources
SOCI 3680
The Logic of Social Inquiry: Qualitative Methods
October 15th, 2014
library.yorku.ca

2. Research Help
• Meet with a subject librarian in person.
• Ask a question via email, chat or by
phone.
• Take part in a library workshop to hone
your research skills.
Don’t be shy, we’re here to help!

3. Visit the Library’s homepage
www.library.yorku.ca
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• Use the catalogue to
search the Library’s
collections.
• Find books, e-books,
journals, newspapers,
videos, and much more.
• Search by keyword, title,
author or subject by using
the drop down menu. A quick search provides a fast way to
find items from the Library’s
homepage.

4. Search the catalogue
• The advanced search option allows you to
refine results prior to conducting a search.
• You can limit your search by publication date,
format, location, and language.

5. Search the catalogue (advanced)
• The advanced search option allows you to
search multiple fields simultaneously.
• You can also use the operators AND, OR, NOT
to combine terms and achieve more precise
results. Remember - too many limitations
may hinder your search results.

6. Remote access
• Your student card is your library card – use it to
borrow physical library materials.
• You can access the Library’s electronic collections
anytime, anywhere - with an internet connect and your
Passport York credentials.

7. Consult a Research Guide
researchguides.library.yorku.ca
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• Online guides are created by library
staff to share recommended
resources for your area of study.
Sociologie/Sociology Research Guide
(Glendon)
Sociology Research Guide (Keele)
• Be sure to read the resource
descriptions to determine whether a
database is suitable.
• If your topic does not fall neatly into
one subject area general databases
can be a good place to start your
research:
Search all ProQuest databases.
To find journal articles on a
particular subject, use a database.

8. Library Databases
Multidisciplinary vs. Specialized
• Specialized databases cover a specific subject, field or format type
(i.e. newspapers).
• Multidisciplinary databases cover multiple subject areas.
• Databases can contain both popular and scholarly sources.
Database Coverage
Social Theory Selection of documents that explore the complexities and
interpret the nature of social behavior and organization.
Features works by major theorists.
Sociological Abstracts Covers sociology and related disciplines and contains
information for approximately 1600 journals.
Web of Science Over 8,500 research journals across the Social Sciences,
Sciences and Arts & Humanities (offers citation searching
feature).
Ethnographic Video Online Online streaming video documenting human culture.

9. Borrowing from other Libraries
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
• Intercampus loan/ borrowing (ICB) is a service
provided to transport library materials between
the Keele campus libraries and Glendon.
• Racer/ Interlibrary loan allows you to borrow
materials not available at York from other
academic libraries.

10. Evaluate your sources
SPARK- selecting sources
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Criteria Scholarly Sources
Author • Researchers, experts
in a field
Publisher • Often peer-reviewed
Audience • Researchers,
specialists, academics
Content • Present results of
original research
• Includes references
Language • Specialized
terminology
Peer-reviewed sources have been approved
by a panel of experts prior to publication.
Ulrich’s International Periodical Directory
SPARK is an e-learning resource
designed to help students complete
academic assignments

11. Research Evaluation and Journal Impact
Web of Science
• Search by cited author and create citation reports
(provide information about an author’s publishing
output).
• Cited Reference Search – finds articles that cite the
article being searched.
Journal Citation Reports
• Allows you to compare and evaluate some of the
world's leading journals.
Scientific Journal Rankings
• Provides journal and country scientific indicators to
allow you to compare journals (scopus database).

12. Cite your sources
Citing Research Guide
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Offers links to resources and general
advice about creating bibliographies.
• You can find citation style
manuals by searching the library
catalogue.
Online Citation Management Tools
• Allow you to generate
bibliographies, organize your
research, and share with others.
Examples:
• Refworks
• Mendeley
• Zotero
Be sure to verify your work,
computers can make mistakes.

13. Feedback
Class Survey
Your opinion matters!
Please take a minute to share your feedback. Your comments will
help us make improvements to future sessions.
Thank you!
Leigh Jackson, Librarian
Leslie Frost Library
leighj@yorku.ca