Welcome to the ECU Library Research Tutorial

This library tutorial is intended to act as a catalyst for your research activities by providing you with the basic tools necessary to conduct research at the Emily Carr University Library:


Learning Outcomes

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Whether you are writing a research paper or preparing a literature review, designing a new product, making a film, or developing ideas for your studio practice, research is an integral aspect to art, design and media practices. This tutorial is designed to teach you research and information literacy skills by guiding you through the processes of conducting library research. Research skills include the ability to identify and search information sources effectively, to gather and organize relevant information, to evaluate and analyze your information and to access and use information ethically and legally. The goals of this library research tutorial are to provide you with the ability to:

• Plan your approach to library research
  
• Identify both the print and electronic research tools and resources applicable to your research needs
  
• Search the library catalogue effectively for materials owned by the Library
• Search the electronic indexes and databases for journal articles
  
• Understand the criteria used for evaluating journal articles
  
• Identify newspaper indexes and databases
  
• Locate and evaluate web-based information sources
• Locate digital images and video
  

Quizzes

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The tutorial consists of instructional lessons and online quizzes. Each module takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.

There are quizzes at the end of each of the five key topics (books): Research Strategies; Searching Techniques; Journals and Magazines; Newspapers; The Internet. It is your responsibility to complete all of the five quizzes. Once you have completed a quiz select the submit button. You are given the option to either re-attempt the quiz, or to continue to take the quiz. You are allowed 3 attempts per question. Each attempt will build upon the last. Good luck!

Research Process:

Steps for planning your research paper or assignment are discussed in this module.

Searching Techniques:

Developing effective searching techniques will help you find useful information and resources in the library catalogue and within the article indexes + databases for your research projects.

This module covers the "how to" of searching.

Journals + Magazines:

Journals and magazines are a great source of current information on contemporary practices across all areas of art, design, media and cultural studies. This module will help you to identify the key characteristics of magazines, scholarly journals and other types of periodicals.

The Library currently subscribes to over 180 journals, magazines and newspapers. The collection supports Emily Carr University's diverse curricula, including the Visual Arts, Film, Animation, Design and Critical and Cultural studies. The collection includes regional, national and international publications.

The current issues of each title are placed on display near the information desk on the 1st floor of the library. DVD magazines are kept with the DVD collection and back issues of print titles are also available. Many of the journals and magazines are also available in Full Text in one of the library's electronic databases.

Newspapers:

Newspapers are excellent resources for coverage on current events and local information. This module provides general information on newspaper databases hosted by the ECU Library.

Searching the Internet:

Skills for interpreting and evaluating the credibility and accuracy of information found on the internet using search engines such as Google and Yahoo are covered in this module.

Digital Images:

An introduction to accessing free, high quality digital images for your research.