Liaison Librarian
Getting Started with Research for COMM101
- Need a review of Hekman Library basics? Check out this "Get Connected" guide or browse our How-to playlist on Youtube.
- If you're off-campus, remember to start at the library homepage when connecting to databases and ebooks, so you'll be recognized as a Calvin user (when you're prompted to login, enter your Calvin username and passphrase).
- Need help with your citations? You can try a quick citation-generator, such as the ones in Prmo and other library databases, KnightCite, or EasyBib. Another great option for collecting and managing citations is Zotero.
- For even more help, see the library's longer Citation 101 guide or try using Purdue's OWL (Online Writing Lab).
- Looking for APA style help specifically? - Check out Purdue OWL's page on APA.
Finding Background Info on Environmental Sustainability Topics
To find background information on your topic, one option is to filter your Primo search to "Reference Entries" as a source type, or search for your topic by keyword and one of these limiting terms: encyclopedia, dictionary, reference, handbook. (Be sure to limit by date to find most recent information!)
Recommended Databases for Researching Environmental Sustainability Topics
In addition to using our Primo search tool on the library's homepage, you may want to explore specific subject databases. Or, focus your search in these environmental sciences databases:
- E & E News
E & E News (or Environment & Energy News) is a suite of e-newsletters chronicling environment and energy news from Capitol Hill. Newsletters include E & E Daily, Greenwire, Climatewire, Energywire, and E & E News PM.
- Environment Complete (EBSCO)
Environment Complete contains more than 2.4 million records from more than 2,200 domestic and international titles going back to 1888 (including over 1,350 active core titles) as well as more than 190 monographs. The database also contains full text for more than 920 journals.
- Web of Science
Web of Science (WoS) indexes leading scholarly journals, books, proceedings, and other formats. Its major subject areas include the natural and social sciences and arts and humanities, with coverage for all areas back to 1900. The heart of WoS is the "Core Collection," which contains records of articles from the highest impact journals worldwide—including open access journals.
These video tutorials teach aspects of searching, analyzing results, creating a researcher profile, and more.
Lastly, this interdisciplinary database could be useful for getting a general pro/con perspective on some climate change topics (perhaps relevant for a persuasive speech):
- Opposing Viewpoints in Context
Opposing Viewpoints in Context covers contemporary social issues, from offshore drilling to climate change, health care to immigration. Includes pro/con viewpoint essays, as well as journal and news articles, primary source materials, legal sources, images, charts/tables, and more.
General Resources for News and News Evaluation
One option to find news sources is to select the Primo filter "Newspapers Search" (under Resource Type). You could also search these newspaper databases:
- Newspaper Source Plus (EBSCO)
Newspaper Source Plus provides a full-text digital collection of the world's major news content. It includes millions of articles from newspapers, newswires and news magazines. In addition, it offers television and radio transcripts and ongoing daily updates from popular news sources. Primary full coverage newspapers are The Washington Post and USA Today.
- New York Times Academic Pass
Access The New York Times online via nytimes.com. Select Calvin University and Seminary when prompted to choose your school. First-time users must create an account.
- New York Times (ProQuest)
This database allows users to search the New York Times issues dating 1851 - recent (3-month embargo). Results include the complete paper, cover-to-cover, with full-page and article images in PDF format.
Resources that can help you evaluate the credibility, bias, or perspective of news sources:
- Media Bias ChartChart you can use to identify the potential bias of a media news outlet.
- All Sides NewsWebsite that covers media sources and identifies their different political perspectives.
General Resources for Statistics
- Pew Research CenterStudies and surveys on a number of social and political topics, including the environment, global attitudes/foreign affairs, immigration, internet and technology, legal, news media, politics and elections, and religion
- USAFactsA nonpartisan site that draws on US government data, and covers many current topics
- Data USAAnother site that allows users to collect, analyze, and visualize shared U.S. government data.
More Research Suggestions for Environmental News, Websites, Data
- Katherine Hayhoe - FAQsKatherine Hayhoe provides a helpful recommended sources on climate science.
- Refugia Faith (Debra Rienstra)Suggested resources from Calvin professor Debra Rienstra (including connections between faith and environmental sustainability)
- U.S. Department of Interior Library's Guide to Climate Info on the WebEven more resources to explore
- Science FeedbackNon-partisan and non-profit organization of scientists, with the goal of "verifying the credibility of influential information and media coverage that claims to be scientific in fields that are particularly prone to misunderstandings and misinformation such as climate change and health."