Module 1 | Choosing Sources

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 library resources
• identify characteristics of information on the Web

Module 2 | Creating a Search Strategy

This module covers topic selection and how to create a search strategy. When you have completed this section of SearchPath you should be able to:

• broaden or narrow a topic
• identify keywords for a topic
• understand the difference between keyword and
  subject searching
• use connectors, nesting, phrase searching, truncation, and wildcards in constructing a search

Module 3 | Using the Library Catalog

This module covers how to search the OCC Library catalog. When you have completed this section of SearchPath you should be able to:

• recognize that the catalog contains more than books
• find books by title, author, or subject heading
• find books on a topic using a Keyword search
• find periodicals by using a Journal/Newspaper Title search
• read a call number and use it to find items in the library
• find an item placed on reserve using a Reserves search
• check out and renew library materials

Module 4 | Finding Articles in Research Databases

This module covers how to find articles in research databases. When you have completed this section of SearchPath you should be able to:

• distinguish between magazines and journals
• choose an appropriate research database
• use a research database to identify an article on a topic
• use a research database's printing and email functions
• use options to locate the full text of an article

Module 5 | Using the Web

This module covers how to find information on 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 websites
• use search engines, metasearch engines and subject directories to search the Web
• use special tricks to improve your search results
• interpret and evaluate web search engine results

Module 6 | Citing Sources

This module covers citing sources, plagiarism, and copyright. When you have completed this section of SearchPath you should be able to:

• describe when to cite sources used in your work
• recognize different parts of a citation
• list ways to avoid plagiarism
• understand the reasons for copyright