Working with Online Resources

Working with Online Resources Academic Skills

Google might be great for searching up restaurants or cat videos, but when it comes to scholarly research, there are better places to begin. In this resource, learn some of the best techniques for utilizing our Library resources.

WorldCat Catalogue Search

Worldcat is the main Library database we use here at Tyndale. When you type in a search on https://www.tyndale.ca/library, the results that show up are from this database. 

Search using keywords from your assignment question or topic. A keyword is not just copying and pasting your assignment's question into the box; it is picking out select phrases that best narrow down the focus of your research. Consider using synonyms or alternate keywords if your initial search does not provide relevant results. 

After searching, you can also narrow your findings further by using the check boxes on the left side of the results page. OR, use the "Advanced Search" to do an even more specific search by keywords, author, title, etc.

Important Check Boxes 

There are three main boxes you will want to check off to ensure you find the most effective resources possible:

  • Tyndale University: Ensures the Tyndale library has access to the resource. 
  • Full Text: Ensures you can access the full text, not just a portion or abstract. 
  • Peer Reviewed: Check this for journal articles to make sure it is a peer reviewed (and therefore, scholarly acceptable) article. 

There are also check boxes to narrow your search by Format (eBook, journal article, etc.), Content Type (Biography, Non Fiction, etc.) or Publication Year (e.g only provide resources within 10 years of the current date). 

Booleans

Booleans are terms or punctuation that you can include in your search to narrow your search parameters. 

Boolean Purpose
“ “ Searches the exact phrase in the quotation marks.
AND Requires the results to include both terms on either side of the boolean.
OR Requires the results to include at least one of the terms on either side of the boolean. 
NOT Requires the results to include the term before the boolean but not the one after.
* Use this to search a root word with various endings. Ex: Canad* will search Canada and Canadian. 

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Types of Sources

Using eBooks

Many eBooks in the Tyndale library database can be accessed freely online or as PDFs. It’s quicker and easier to read the eBooks online when possible, but sometimes you will have to “borrow” the eBook (usually for 14 days). After that, you won’t be able to view the source again unless you “renew” it. These files may come as .epub or .pdf files and may require a different program to be viewed. When necessary, you can download eBook readers from these sites:

Periodical Databases 

Finding relevant journal articles on Worldcat can be a pain, especially if your paper topic falls under multiple genres or academic disciplines. But that’s why we have Periodical Databases, each with discipline-specific, peer-reviewed journal articles. Examples of popular databases are for different discipliens are:

  • BSTH, Theological Studies, Spiritual Formations: ATLA Religion Database, ProQuest Religion Database
  • Bachelor of Education: EDULinksCanada, ERIC, Education Research Complete
  • English: • Bloom’s Literature, JSTOR, Academic Search Premiere
  • History: JSTOR Philosophy
  • Philosophy: The Philosopher’s Index
  • Psychology / Counselling: PsychINFO, PsychArticles

Research Guides

The Tyndale Library has compiled various Research Guides – lists of links and resources organized by academic discipline or study skills – to get you started when approaching topics that are new to you.

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Can I Cite a Website in my Paper? 

Websites are not usually considered scholarly resources since anyone can make one without confirmation of information. This includes websites like Wikipedia, Sparknotes, Amazon Reviews, GotQuestions.org, favourite ministry sites, or other sites you visit regularly for news or updates. These sites may be useful for gathering preliminary information on a topic you know nothing about, but they should not be used as sources in your papers.

Having said that, there are rare exceptions when you may be permitted to cite a website in your paper. Some examples include:

  • You do not have access to an older print resource (e.g., one of Shakespeare’s plays), but you can find it online.
  • You need specific information on the history of an organization or denomination that is not readily available in scholarly sources.
  • You want to refer to a website generally as an example rather than citing something specific from that website. 

Apart from these (or similar) exceptions, it is best to stick to eBooks or peer reviewed journal articles when gathering information for your papers.

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