Research specialists are available through the Ivy Tech Library network to assist you in locating relevant sources and to answer questions you may have about your research project.
You can chat with a Librarian live or submit a question to research specialists through the Ask-A-Librarian channel.
Discover! iwill navigate nearly every database or resource housed on the Library platform, (unless those resources are flagged with a red asterisk.*)
Another way to think about Discover! is that operates as if it is the Google of the Library realm.
Discover! t is often a very good place to start with a very broad search just to get a feel for what might be available in association with your research topic.
Discover! Usage Tips:
Bracket key words or search terms with quotation marks.
Use Boolean operators to join search terms:
A-Z listing searches can also be filtered to locate relevant databases by subject area or type of resource:
Most databases provide helpful toolbars that appear at the top of the page, in a sidebar, or at the bottom of a page.
You can email articles to yourself, send them to the cloud, mark them up with highlighting and notes, or save them to a folder. One of the most helpful toolbar features is the "Cite" tool that can be used to create an MLA or APA style citation for the source material.
Keep in mind that these citations might need finessing, but the tool still provides a sturdy mainframe for citations as you move through the research process.
NoodleTools is a wonderful online platform that assists students in the writing and research process. This tool is particularly helpful for creating and storing citations and annotations all in one place, with the option to create an annotated bibliography draft based on the material entered or imported onto the platform.
NoodleTools is free for Ivy Tech students (and faculty) to use with a basic sign up process. Additional guidance on how to use it is available from the Library Director.
