IvyCat is the Ivy Tech online catalog. It allows you to search your local campus library, all campuses statewide, and Ivy Tech's collection of over 43,000 electronic book. To acess IvyCat click on the Search & Find section of the library homepage, then select Books. The IvyCat link is at the top of the page and will open in a new browser window or tab.
Here are some useful tips to help you get the most out of your catalog and database searches.
Using the right search terms can help immensely in the research process. Listed below are a few possible terms to help get you started:
When using internet sources in a research project it is important to take critical look at the website you are using and to determine if it contains reliable information. Look for the following when evaluating websites.
Authority- Does the site have an author or sponsoring organization that is qulified and knowledgeable about the topic you are researching?
Accuracy- Is the information on the site correct? You may need to have a second source to fact check against if you are not sure.
Currency- Is the website up to date? Look for copyrights or the date the site was last updated to make sure you are not getting old data.
Objectivity- Is the Information on the site biased? Look for ads, editorial writings, or other indications that the site is meant to sway the audience to a particular point of view.
Coverage- How comprehensive is the site? Look to see if the the purpose or goals of the site are clearly given. Make sure they are not promoting a particular product or ideology.