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Subject vs. keyword searching
A subject search searches specific, standardized subject headings assigned to materials. A subject search limits your search to an exact word or an exact combination of words.
Advantage: Subject searching retrieves exactly what you ask for.
Disadvantage: Subject searching limits you to only what you ask for.
A keyword search retrieves any and all occurrences of a word or combination of words, whether the words appear in the subject headings, title, or description of the item.
Advantage: Keyword searching expands the search to all occurrences of a word or combination of words.
Disadvantage: Keyword searching may retrieve much more than you want.
Refereed/Peer Reviews Journals
Refined Google-ing
Type phrases in quotes.
Evaluate sources carefully before selecting for your research.
Use the Advanced Search option to limit by date, language, domain, etc.
Use Google Scholar to retreive more academic sources.
Configure Google Scholar to import references into RefWorks (for citation management):
1. Select Scholar Preferences Link from the selections next to the Search Window.
2. Near the Bottom of the Screen click the radio button next to "Show links to import citations into" and choose "Refworks" from the drop-down menu.
3. Click "Save Preferences."
Research Tips Videos
These short (<5 minute) videos can help you get going with library research. These videos have soundtracks. Captioning is available--just click the CC button at the bottom of the viewer.
Videos are still being added--check this page for updates!
- Research: Where to start?
(3:34) Academic research is different from other types of information seeking. Learn where to locate the best information on your research topic. - Choosing the right database (1:54) Which of the 300+ databases available to you through the UMass Amherst Libraries is the best one for your search? This video will help you figure it out.
- Looking for articles (4:03) Learn how to make the most of the Libraries' databases to find the best articles on your topic.
- Thinking like a database
(4:11) Have you ever typed a search into a database only to see the dreaded words “no results found”? This video will teach you to think like a database and pull out the best articles on your topic. - I found this source, but should I use it?
Learn to gauge the quality and credibility of the sources you find and determine where they fit into the literature on your topic. - Looking for books Tips on searching the Libraries' catalog and other tools to find books on your topic--at UMass and beyond.
Browsing the stacks
Landscape Architecture can be found primarily between call numbers SB450 - SB479 (24th floor)
Regional Planning can be found primarily between call numbers HT390 - HT395 (17th floor)
Architecture can be found primarily between call numbers NA 9000 - NA 9425 (9th floor)
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