How to Do Research at the UNT Libraries

Table of Contents

• Where should I start my research?
• How do I find books on my topic at UNT?
  
• If UNT does not own the book I need, how can I get a copy?
• How do I find journal articles on my topic?
• Can I print out a list of the articles I find on an electronic database?
• Can I print the full text of an article from an electronic database?
• How do I find out if UNT has my journal article?
• Where are the journals located at UNT?
• If UNT does not have a subscription to my journal, how can I get a copy of my article?
• Can I do my research at home?

 

Questions and Answers

Where should I start my research?

Call or visit the main reference desk in Willis Library (940-565-3245) or the Science and Technology Library (940-565-4745). A librarian is available over 80 hours per week to help you get started on your research.

How do I find books on my topic at UNT?

Search the UNT Libraries' Library Catalog. The Library Catalog contains all cataloged materials (except music scores and recordings) added to the collections since 1979, as well as many materials added before 1979. For books and other materials published before 1978, check the card catalog on the 1st floor of Willis Library.

You can log into the Library Catalog from home. The Web address is http://iii.library.unt.edu.

If UNT does not own the book I need, how can I get a copy?

There are two ways to find and retrieve books that UNT doesn't own:

First, you can request it through Interlibrary Loan

(ILL). ILL requests for books take between two and four weeks to fill. You can also use the WorldCat database to place an ILL order. (See below)

The second way is to see if you can find the book at another library in the area. One way to do this is to search the WorldCat database, available to the UNT community through OCLC FirstSearch:

1. Select "All Areas"
2. Select "WorldCat" (at top of menu)
3. Click on the "Select Database" button

You can place a request for the material through this database by clicking on the ILL icon at the top of the screen.This information will be sent to the UNT Libraries Interlibrary Loan department and they will contact you when it arrives.

How do I find journal articles on my topic?

Use an electronic journal index for the most current information. Indexes at UNT may be in electronic or print format. Start with a good general database like Academic Search Premier or ProQuest's Research Library. If you need to look at more subject-specific databases, such as PsycInfo for Psychology, MLA International Bibliography for literature, or ERIC for education, you can consult an online Subject Guide for suggestions for your subject.

Can I print out a list of the articles I find on an electronic database?

Yes. You can print out materials from within Willis Library or the Science and Technology Library for 10¢ per page, or you can download the information to a flash drive, or save it to your UNT student storage and print it out for free in any UNT General Access Computer Lab.

Can I print the full text of an article from an electronic database?

It depends on the database. Many databases, such as National Trade Data Bank, contain the full text of all their titles. Others, such as Academic Search Premier, include the full text of only selected articles. Some databases are only indexes, or indexes with abstracts, and include no full text. If you have questions about how to print out an article from a specific database, ask for help at the nearest Service Desk.

How do I find out if UNT has my journal article?

Search for the title of the journal (not the title of the article) in the UNT Libraries' Library Catalog, using the "Journal Title" button or the "Title" button. If you have any questions about whether the UNT Libraries own a specific journal, ask at the nearest Service Desk.

Where are the journals located at UNT?

Journals may be located in any of these five UNT Libraries locations:

• Willis Library

• Science and Technology Library (Information Sciences Building)

• Media Library (Chilton Hall)

• Remote Storage (Libraries Annex)

• Research Park Library
  

Journals are shelved in alphabetical order by their titles. A journal title that appears as an abbreviation is shelved at the beginning of the section starting with that letter of the alphabet. (Example: CSF Notebook is shelved in the C section before Cable T.V. and New Media, Law & Finance.)

New or current journals are shelved separately from bound journals. If you cannot find the journal issue you need, check the Library Catalog or ask for help at the nearest Service Desk.

Many older journals are located in Remote Storage. You may request items from Remote Storage at the Main Circulation Desk in on the 1st Floor of Willis Library, or at the Reserves/Checkout Desk in the Science and Technology Library. There is also a request form for Library Materials Delivery.

You will need the following information to request a journal article from Remote Storage:

• Title of the article
• Author of the article
• Title of the journal
• Date, volume, and issue number of the journal
• Page numbers of the article

If UNT does not have a subscription to my journal, how can I get a copy of my article?

Fill out an Interlibrary Loan (ILL) request form. ILL requests for articles frequently can be sent electronically, which means they will be available within a few days, but some may take from two to four weeks to fill.

Can I do my research at home?

Most of UNT's databases are available in web format, and may be accessed from home. You will need to enter your EUID and password when requested. A relative few are still CD-ROM based and require Citrix, a helper program, to access. If you need the software, you can download it at http://irservices.library.unt.edu/citrix.cfm.