Researching Your Essays

• Let us help you find better sources for your essay -- and save you time.
• Use the popular Chat service ("Ask: Chat with a librarian").
• You can also get help by email.
• For in-depth research help, you can even book a consultation (a one-on-one appointment with a librarian).

Find out more about getting help with your research (U of T Libraries)

• Scholarly books?
• Scholarly journal articles? Peer-reviewed journal articles? Newspaper or magazine articles?
• Primary sources? Secondary sources?
• Websites that are relevant and authoritative?
• If in doubt, ask your professor or TA.

• follow trails (one source you're reading might mention another key source for your topic);
• request books or articles from UTM Library, UTSC Library, or UTL at Downsview ("intercampus delivery"); or
• request books or articles from other universities, if U of T doesn't own them ("interlibrary loan / RACER").

• The U of T Libraries home page is a good place to find scholarly (and some non-scholarly) sources, both electronic and print.
• Most people can't get these for free on the web, but as a U of T student you have free access with your UTORid.
• Key search tools:
  • "Catalogue search" (books, DVDs, etc.)
  • "Article search"
  • Databases
• The "Start your search" box gives you a PREVIEW of your first few results from "Catalogue search" and "Article search."
• The "Start your search" box does NOT include Databases -- you need to search these separately.

A general source (such as an encyclopedia) is an easier place to start than a highly specific source (such as a journal article).

1. encyclopedia article to get the context?
2. chapter or section in a more general book?
3. book(s) on your topic?
4. journal article(s) on a specific aspect of your topic?

Explore the specialized online encyclopedias available from U of T Libraries.

• After a catalogue search leads you to a few relevant books, browse the physical shelves nearby for other books on the same topic.
• You can also browse VIRTUALLY by clicking "Browse Shelf" in the library catalogue.
• Books are important sources in humanities and social sciences.
• Some books are only available in print, some only as ebooks, and some in both formats.

• Each field of study has a specialized database(s) -- e.g., psychology has "PsycInfo."
• Often a specialized database is the best way to find relevant articles.
• From the U of T Libraries home page, click "Databases... By subject A-Z."
• Then select your broad topic (e.g., "psychology" or "biology" or "Indigenous studies").

• Professors want you to analyze and engage with your sources.
• Your viewpoint will evolve as you read, take notes, think critically and write.