For more research and writing help, check out the guides below.
Research assignments can be difficult, especially if you are not sure how to get started. This guide is intended to help you find your footing, make a research plan, and use all the resources available to help you with your assignment. Don't forget, you can always reach out to your local librarians for assistance!
Before You Begin - A Checklist
To successfully find information you will need:
Strategy |
Example |
Use "quotation marks" for exact-phrase searching |
|
Search for keywords within specific fields - use the drop-down list beside the search box. |
|
Use suggested topics, subjects and thesaurus terms for more refined searching | |
Use the available limiter options (left side of results page) |
|
Use narrower keywords |
|
Strategy |
Example |
Use "or" to look for versions of the same concept (synonyms, related words) |
|
Use * [shift+8] after a word's root to search all endings |
|
Use broader keywords |
|
Tutorial - Using ONEsearch
Many TSTC Library online resources (databases, electronic books) want to authenticate you to ensure you're a TSTC student before giving you access. When you try to access these resources off-campus, and occasionally when you are on campus, this screen will appear:
Just enter your TSTC OneID username and password.
Forgotten your username or password?
If you are asked to log in to a page that doesn't look like the above screen, something has gone wrong. Contact us to help sort it out.