Before you search, first read ALL the directions on this page.
Then you can adapt the sample search to your own topic.
Let's pretend that your community is the Girl Scouts. You were a member, and now you are a volunteer. Lately, you've become aware of the legal problems that can arise, and so you want to look at specific legal controversies. Therefore, you want to read about the Girl Scouts and any lawsuits they may be involved in.
1. Open MegaSearch--in Advanced mode
2. In the top search box, enter terms for your community.
The asterisk* is a wildcard. It will search for the singular and plural forms or a word.
2. In the next box, describe an aspect that you want to research:
3. If needed, you could use the third box to focus further. (Every time you add a new box, the search is focused.)
3. Click search.
Now see the directions in the box under this one.
Your assignment requires 4-6 sources that are scholarly, in-depth, published sources. Trade/industry journals may also work, but check with your instructor.
To find Scholarly journal articles, use the left column of your results (see the image below).
Now use the dircections in the box below.
The following example is for a scholarly journal about working conditions for nurses. But the tips work for any article.
1. Read the titles of the first ten items.
2. Review the Title, Subject Terms, and Abstract (highlighted below)
Now use the directions below.
You will find a link to the full text of the article to the left of the title.
When you click a PDF, this is what you get. You can scroll through the entire article.
IMPORTANT: Email the article to yourself!
For more on MLA citations, see the Write & Cite tab in this guide.
Ok. You are ready to search! Scroll up to the top of this page, and open MegaSearch