COSC and BCIS/Computers and the Internet: Finding Information and Articles

      Recommended Sources for Assignment #4: Contemporary Issue in Information Technology



1. Searching Tips

  • Decide which search terms or keywords you will use.
    Start with the topic of "Information Technology" and think about the other words or phrases you can use to search for the same idea. What specific technologies do you already know of that might be applied in your career or industry?
    Examples: Information Technology, IT, Computers, Technology, Automation, Devices, Information, Web 2.0, Web

  • Think about your career field. In what new ways might you expect technology to impact or be applied to your career field or industry?
    Come up with search terms related to your career field such as specific jobs, job duties or practices that might be impacted by technology.
    Examples: Career Field = education
    Other search terms related to this topic = teaching, instruction, classroom, learning, school, colleges, teachers

  • Combine your search terms for technology and the career field into a search either in a library database, a reputable web magazine or journal, Internet search engine, or Internet article search engine.

  • Since the articles must be very recent, look for options to limit the date of your search.
    In the library's databases, most search screens will include a date limit option
    If the date range limit you need is not offered, keep in mind that the search results will be sorted by date with the newest article listed first. Just pay attention to the publication date of each article as you are looking in the results.
    In other cases, look for the ability to sort your results by date if necessary.

  • Your article must be at least 2000 words long:
    The library's Ebsco databases allow you to limit your search to articles that are of a certain page length (show me→)
    ProQuest Newsstand identifies the word count of each article (show me→)
    In other cases, you can copy and paste the article into Microsoft Word to get the word count of your research article.



    2. Library Article Databases
    These allow you to search for articles from magazines, journals and newspapers. (show me→)


    3. Search for Articles on the Web

  • Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Find Articles
  • Google Scholar (click here to find out how to use Google Scholar to Find Full Text @ the MCC Library)
  • MagPortal
  • Internet Public Library Magazine Directory – Magazine Directory
  • List of Free Articles Databases and Publications on the WWW

    Subject Directories and Search Engines
  • Complete Planet - Meta-search engine
  • Infomine
  • Intute
  • Librarians’ Internet Index
  • Open Directory Project
  • More Choices: Searching the World Wide Web & Evaluating Sources (web page)


    4. Citing Your Sources (web page)


    5. Contact your Class Librarian if you need assistance

  • Email kcook at mclennan.edu
  • Use Pronto to chat - username kcook
  • Use the Class Librarian Discussion Board

  • Content created by Kristen Cook
    Updated March 13, 2008