English 101 (Admiraal) - Fall 2022: Home

In our databases, you will often across this icon: 

For access to the full-text of an article (either in print or online), look for and click on that icon. This will open another window indicating where and how we may have access through Hekman Library, either online or in print.  (Note that we may not have access--that link will only check to see if or how we may have it.)

Welcome to your online library guide for doing research in ENGL 101! 

This page provides an overview of doing research for your assignments in this class.  If you need help, be sure to reach out to me (bonus: you can get extra credit if you make an appointment).

Also, if you could use even more tips on researching, check out our YouTube channel. 

Want to refine your searches and get the best results?  Here's a summary of my top tips:

1. Try a variety of search terms
2. Use more than one search tool
   • Use at least one subject-specific database
3. Use limits and filters strategically
   • Especially date and source type
4. Try citation-chasing / Google Scholar
5. Read search results carefully
   • Look at subject headings, relevance, length/substance, availability

The Search Start tool on the library's website works by running your search in the library catalog, MeLCat (a shared catalog of libraries across Michigan), and some of our research databases grouped by vendor (EBSCO, ProQuest, and JSTOR). 

It can be a good place to search broadly for a topic, and determine what type of research on the topic is available in the library's collection (books and articles).
 

Search the Hekman Library Catalog to find books and other items held by the library.

Use the library's research databases to find periodical articles (for example, from scholarly journals or popular magazines). 

Not sure which databases to try? 

• See Prof. Admiraal's recommended databases (on your assignment handouts)
• Use the library's Databases by Subject recommendations (on our website)
• Ask me (Sarah) or another librarian for suggestions!

Google Scholar can be another option for searching for articles, but be sure to try the library's research databases first.

If you do decide to search Google Scholar, see this video for linking it to Hekman LIbrary:

Some suggestions:

• Explore your topic fully by using multiple search tools. 
• Experiment with search terms and keywords (watch for terms that may come up in your results).
• Give yourself time to refine your search strategies, to sift through results to find good citations, to locate and access the sources, and to read those sources.
• Be persistent and don't give up too easily, but also don't flounder unnecessarily!  Ask Prof. Admiraal or me for help.