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Beginning
Your Research at the Library
What brings you to the Library?
The following tip sheet is for those who are beginning their research at the Health Sciences Library. The tip sheet may be used in two different ways: as instruction, read through in step-by-step progression, or as a reference on the individual topics. The table of contents below provides an overview of the tip sheet and can be used to link to any of the individual topics.
Preparing Your question or Subject 
Before embarking on your research project it may be helpful to gather some additional information about your subject from sources close at hand. What is it you are looking for? Try to form you research topic into a question. What are the questions you are trying to answer? Try to gather some background information about your subject. What other synonyms or terms are there for your subject? Some sources that might help you with background information, and general information are: 
The original source where you first developed an interest in the topic Someone you know, such as a professor, who possesses knowledge in the area of your interest Other sources: Review articles, news articles, etc. You may also wish to talk with a Reference Librarian to discuss your topic. Call (914) 594-4210 or visit the Reference Desk. For help with synonyms: use one of the Library’s many encyclopedias, or dictionaries, such as the Encyclopedia of Public Health, or the Stedman’s Medical Dictionary. Where will the information be found? Once you've selected your topic you'll search for information in a varity of sources. Listed below are some of the Library's main sources for information along with a description characterizing the information they provide. Books: Books are available in print on the Library shelves as well as electronically on the Library’s web site. The Library’s full-text electronic books currently number well over a hundred titles. Provide established, in-depth, often comprehensive information Often show different perspectives on the same topic Show the connections between related topics Contain a bibliography of sources used Reference books (dictionaries, encyclopedias, handbooks) are consulted for definitions, facts and summary information Textbooks provide core knowledge on a subject How to find a book Journals: Journals are available in print on the Library shelves as well as electronically on the Library’s web site. Most full-text electronic journal publishing began in the mid to late nineties. There are journals for which the Library only has a print subscription, journals that the Library only has as an electronic subscription, and journals that the Library has available in both formats. The Health Sciences Library is moving towards greater and greater electronic access. Journal articles are written by researchers, professors, experts in a field Articles are peer-reviewed by board of editors who recommend changes The intended audience is other experts, researchers, students Bibliographies of scholarly articles are invaluable Often use specific methodology: empirical, historiography, qualitative, quantitative, behavior analysis, etc. How to find journal articles Newspapers & News Magazines: Many newspapers & news magazine articles are available electronically from the Library web site. Several of these databases provide both full-text articles and citations (some with abstracts). The Library does subscribe to a number of print newspapers and news magazines, these are, however, discarded after three months. Current events, news from a specific city, region, state, country Includes reviews of books, movies, plays, art exhibits Includes editorials, op-ed columns Articles written by journalist, political reporters Audience is general population Sometimes focuses on one topic Excellent for basic information about event or issue – major players, timeline, overview, opposing perspectives How to find newspaper and magazine articles Government Information: Government Information is available in print on the Library shelves and on the Internet. Government Information is published by local, state and federal governments Covers huge variety of topics: statistics, legal research, scientific research, education, social issues, economics, demographics, declassified information, historical information, Congressional hearings, reports, testimonies, and more How to find government information Statistical Data: Statistical Data is available in print on the Library shelves as well as on the Internet (much from Government sources). Statistical data provides information on a topic based on numbers or data Used for demonstrating relevance, prevalence, economic or social impacts, characteristic of a population or geographic area Can be collected over a short or long period of time Very important to evaluate statistics based on source, reliability, and validity of data. How to find statistical data Web Sites: Web sites are available thought the Library’s Internet connection. Web sites include organization and association sites, government sites, company sites, products for sale, advocacy, education, humor, entertainment, representation of various political or ideological views It is always important to evaluate any information found on a web site since the quality of informtion can vary widely. See information on how to assessing the quality of internet-based information How to find a web site Next: How to search for information on topic or subject
