Distance learners
- Contact the distance learning librarian
- How to access library resources while off campus
- Interlibrary loan (ILLiad) services for extended campus users
- Contact your college librarian
- View your checked out materials
- Virginia Tech owned in My Library Account
- Other libraries' in ILLiad
- Getting started with academic research
- Subject guides
- Screencasts (tutorials)
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Using the Get VText service
- Citation and style manuals
Introduction to academic research
Academic research is is a multi-step process that doesn't always go in a straight line; you may find yourself returning to previous stages as you refine your topic. Steps include
- Choosing and focusing a research topic
- Finding background information about your topic
- Finding books that give information about your topic
- Finding articles that give information about your topic
- Evaluating the information your have found
- Citing the information you use in your research
We recommend you become familiar with the types of sources required for your research project:
- Information timeline
- Types of information sources
- Background information resources
- Libraries and the Web
- Primary, secondary, and tertiary sources
- Magazines, trade journals, and scholarly journals
At any stage during the research process, you can get help from a librarian by using the Ask a Librarian chat and email service, emailing or phoning a librarian or in person at one of the reference desks.
General interest databases cover a wide range of topics from many kinds of sources. They are a great starting point for many research assignments since you are likely to get at least a few search results on your topic. Major general interest databases are listed below; many more are available on the general interest databases listings.
- David R Beagle
- Distance Education & Law Librarian
- (540) 231-9231
- (540) 231-9231
- beagle@vt.edu
-
3045 Newman Library
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061-0434
United States
Extended campus announcements
- Library access after graduationMay 14, 2013
- Top 20 searched databasesMay 13, 2013
- Please provide feedback on Summon databaseMay 07, 2013
