These tutorials will help you learn to find and critically evaluate information sources. By increasing your information literacy skills, you can more effectively search, select, and evaluate those sources. These tutorials will prepare you to explore and research the online world.  If you have questions about the tutorial or need more help, contact librarians at the Reference Desk (askus@wsc.ma.edu or x5234).
 

	Searchpath is comprised of six modules. Each one takes approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. All of the modules include: - A list of key concepts and skills you should learn - Main text - A quiz
	Searchpath ENGL 101 is comprised of Searchpath's Modules 1-4 with some specific revisions designed to complement the course content and library instruction.

Links to individual modules in Searchpath (click the images)

Module 1- Starting Smart
This module covers types of information sources you can use for your topic.  When you have completed this section of Searchpath, you should be able to:
- identify a variety of information sources
- identify characteristics of information on the Web
- identify characteristics of library resources

Module 2 - Choosing a Topic
This module covers topic selection and how to identify keywords to search your topic.
When you have completed this module you should be able to:
- broaden or narrow a topic
- identify keywords for a topic
- use connectors and truncation in constructing a search
- understand the difference between keyword and subject searching

Module 3 - Using the Ely Library Catalog
This module covers how to search the Ely Library catalog.  When you have completed this module you should be able to:
- recognize that the Library Catalog contains more than books
- find books on a topic using a Builder search (Guided Keywords)
- find books by title, author, or subject heading
- find journals by using a Journal Title search
- identify the location of books or journals
- read a call number and use it to find items in the library
- find an item placed on reserve using a Course Reserve search

Module 4 - Finding Articles
This module covers how to use databases / article indexes to identify articles on a subject.
After completing this module you should be able to:
- distinguish between popular and scholarly periodicals
- choose a database/ article index appropriate to your information need
- use it to identify an article on a topic
- use an index's email function to send a record to yourself
- search the Full Text Periodical Directory to locate the periodical that contains your article

Module 5 - Using the Web
When you have completed this section of Searchpath, you should be able to
- understand the organization of the Internet
- identify the major types of Web sites
- use search engines and metasearch engines to search the Web
- interpret and evaluate Web search engine results

Module 6 - Citing Sources
This module covers citing sources, plagiarism, and copyright.  When you have completed this module of Searchpath, you should be able to:
- recognize different parts of a citation
- describe when to cite sources used in your work
- list ways to avoid plagiarism
- understand the reasons for copyright

Page maintained by B. Hubbard