1. Merced College Library

2. Goals for this presentation:
 Students will be able to information in
various formats such as print and electronic
for specific uses.
 Students will be able to information
for its content, source, quality and relevance
in a variety of formats.
Getting Started with Research

3. Basic Library Resources
 Books
 CDs and DVDs
 Magazines and journals
 Newspapers
 Vertical File materials

4. Evaluating
information
Based
on
RelevanceCurrency PurposeAuthority

5. Currency-
 How current is the information?
 When was it published/posted?
 If it is a webpage, when was it revised?
 Are the links functional and up-to-date?

6. Relevancy
 Is the source relevant to the topic?
 Could you find the same or better information
from another source?
 Who is the intended audience?
 Is the information organized and in-depth?
 Is the source scholarly or popular?

7. Author
Authority
Educational
background
Professional or Personal
experience
Judged by
Depends onDepends on

8. Purpose/Objectivity
 Does the site seem biased?
 Is the main purpose advertising or
information?
 Is the purpose to inform, teach, entertain,
enlighten, sell, or persuade?
 Does the domain name give you a clue?
.com, .edu, .gov, .org, .net
 Is the source scholarly or popular in focus?

9. SCHOLARLY
OR
POPULAR?

10. Scholarly
Or
Popular?

12. Primary Sources
 A primary source is a document or physical
object which was written or created during
the time under study. Some types of primary
sources include: diaries, speeches,
manuscripts, letters, interviews, news film
footage, autobiographies, and official
records.

13. Examples of Primary Sources
Include:
 The Diary of Anne Frank
 The Constitution of the United States
 Supreme Court decisions and documents
 Historical photos or artifacts

14. What is a Secondary Source?
 A secondary source interprets and analyzes
primary sources.
 Secondary sources are one or more steps
removed from the event.
 Secondary sources may include pictures,
quotes, or graphics from primary sources.

15. Examples of Secondary Sources:
 Textbooks, magazine articles, histories,
criticisms, commentaries, and encyclopedias
 A journal/magazine article which interprets or
reviews previous findings
 A history textbook

16. Online Resources through MC4Me
 Merced College MC4Me Log In Screen

17. Online Public Access Catalog
Search Screen
 Search by word or phrase, author, title,
subject .
 Write the number
down before you
go looking for it.

18. In the web portal you have access
to many Library databases.

19. Library services
• Computers and mini I-Pads are available to checkout
for two hours at a time on both floors. Printing is $.10
a page using $1.00 print cards, and $.40 for color.
Wireless is available.
• Study rooms for groups up to 6 people can be
checked out on each floor. No food in study rooms.
• Photocopies cost $.10 a page. We have copy
machines on both floors.
• Ask at the Information Desk if you need to use
scissors, a ruler, etc.

20. Merced College Library hours
Mon. – Thurs. 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Friday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Los Banos Campus Library hours
Mon. – Thurs. 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.