Saint Search is a simple, powerful tool for finding physical items in our library, such as books and DVDs, and accessing full-text digital resources such as scholarly articles, newspapers, and popular magazines. It is a good starting place if you're not sure where to go for specialized information.
Library Databases provide access to specialized collections of sources. A database will often focus on a particular subject, such as Business, Education, or Nursing. For FYSM classes, we're highlighting a few general-interest databases, but you can also browse our full list of databases and limit by subject area.
| Scholarly | Popular |
|---|---|
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Scholarly sources include journals, academic books, dissertations that have gone through rigorous editorial review prior to publication. They are written by scientists or academics, and are geared toward an audience of scholars or students in the field. They may go through Peer Review, but not always. The publication process takes significant time, sometimes years. Characteristics:
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Popular sources include magazines, newspapers, and bestselling books. They are written by generalists such as journalists, and are not reviewed as thoroughly prior to publication. Often published quickly, sometimes daily or weekly. Characteristics:
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Peer Review is a process of evaluation that takes place prior to publication with the goal of publishing highest quality research. A journal sends out prospective articles to other researchers in the field, who will evaluate research design and methodology, statistical metrics, quality of graphs and charts, quality of communication, and significance of research to the field. Reviewers respond to the Journal with recommendations: Accept, Reject, or have the author Revise and Resubmit.
Characteristics:
| Primary | Secondary |
|---|---|
|
Primary sources are documents from people who experienced an event or topic. These may include:
Ex: Emily Dickinson's handwritten envelope poems |
Secondary sources are removed from the primary sources and often quote or analyze those sources. These may include:
Ex: Emily Dickinson Biography by Connie Ann Kirk |
