Category Archives: Research

New resources for the new year!

Posted on by

The library provides more than 95 databases and online resources for students, faculty, and staff. Here is the complete list of all databases that can be browsed by name, subject, or database type: http://durhamtech.libguides.com/az.php

For remote off-campus access, use WebAdvisor login credentials.

The following new resources have just been added!

Mango Languages: Language-learning software with over 70 world language courses and over 17 ESL courses.

CINAHL Plus with Full Text: Database of nursing and allied health journals with additional materials that include evidence-based care sheets, audiovisuals, and continuing education modules.

Testing and Education Reference Center:

A testing and education preparation resource that includes in-depth information on college, graduate, and professional programs, professional training, and entrance tests alongside practice tests for entrance exams, certifications, and licensing exams.

 

Consumer Reports via MasterFILE:  Popular collection of product reviews and recommendations for cars, appliances, electronics, personal finance, and health information.

Cypress Resume:  Easy-to-use résumé building tool and cover letter resource.

NoveList Plus: Book recommendation resource covering fiction, nonfiction, and audiobooks.

ProQuest Historic North Carolina Digital Newspaper Collection: 3.5 million digitized pages of historic newspaper content from the North Carolina Collection at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Automate: Database with authoritative and up-to-date auto repair and service information on more than 38,000 vehicles.

Biography Reference Center: A comprehensive collection of full-text biographies on popular and historical figures.

For database descriptions and information on additional resources, view our New Resources handout 2018.

Don’t hesitate to contact library staff with any questions.  Happy browsing, reading, researching, and language learning in 2018!

Distinguishing between factual and untrue news sources

Posted on by

There were several untrue news stories circulating on social media during the recent U.S. presidential election.  It’s important to determine whether stories and news sources are reliable and accurate.  Librarians at Northern Essex Community College Library in Massachusetts created and shared this useful resource guide: http://necc.mass.libguides.com/fakenewsvsrealnews/fakenews

Fake News Story Infographic, Huffington Post

Fake News Story Infographic, published by The Huffington Post, by Nick Robins-Early, 11/22/16

This guide links to helpful articles, videos, case studies, fact checking sites, and suggests tips for evaluating news stories.  If you have questions or need help determining whether a source is reliable, feel free to ask your friendly librarians.  We’re always glad to help you find accurate information.

Sources for more information:

The Chronicle of Higher Education: “Meet the Professor Who’s Trying to Help You Steer Clear of Clickbait:” http://www.chronicle.com/article/Meet-the-Professor-Who-s/238441

False, Misleading, Clickbait-y, and/or Satirical “News” Sources by Melissa Zimdars, Assistant Professor of Communication at Merrimack College: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10eA5-mCZLSS4MQY5QGb5ewC3VAL6pLkT53V_81ZyitM/preview

NPR: “Students Have ‘Dismaying’ Inability To Tell Fake News From Real, Study Finds”: http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/11/23/503129818/study-finds-students-have-dismaying-inability-to-tell-fake-news-from-real 

Huffington Post: “How To Recognize A Fake News Story: 9 helpful tips to stop yourself from sharing false information:” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/fake-news-guide-facebook_us_5831c6aae4b058ce7aaba169

School Library Journal: “Truth, truthiness, triangulation: A news literacy toolkit for a “post-truth” world:” http://blogs.slj.com/neverendingsearch/2016/11/26/truth-truthiness-triangulation-and-the-librarian-way-a-news-literacy-toolkit-for-a-post-truth-world/

 

 

 

 

Films on Demand New Titles: U.S. Elections, Chernobyl and Other Topics

Posted on by

Through NC LIVE the Durham Tech library offers Films on Demand, which is a collection of almost 30,000 award winning documentaries, interviews, instructional and vocational training videos, historical speeches and newsreels.

This collection of video resources is updated regularly. September brought 164 new titles, many of which cover U.S. elections. Other topics in the September additions include energy and the environment, terrorism, human rights, medicine, space exploration and numerous other topics. Continue Reading →

New edition of the MLA Handbook

Posted on by

This spring the Modern Language Association of America (MLA) replaced its seventh edition handbook with a new eighth edition. The new edition includes significant changes that focus more on the process of writing and documenting sources. Previous editions of the handbook provided very specific guidelines for formatting and citing and the new eighth edition outlines basic core elements and principles of MLA documentation and explains how writers can use them in different situations.

MLA 8th edition book coverExplore the MLA Style Center website for frequently asked questions and answers, teaching resources, tips on formatting a research paper, and information on plagiarism and dishonesty.

Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab has updated their MLA Formatting and Style Guide to reflect changes in the new 8th edition: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/

Librarian Meredith Lewis is currently revising the Durham Tech Library’s MLA guide.  We’ll let you know when it is available. Print copies of the MLA Handbook 8th edition are available at all three campus libraries.

 

 

 

 

 

Student Library Workshop Schedule for Fall semester

Posted on by

Calling all Students!
Make plans to attend one of our Library Workshops this semester!  Click here for the printable schedule:
Flyer Library Workshops Fall 15 revised

Photo of students using computers in the library

WHY? Learn important skills for success at Durham Tech and beyond!

WHERE? ERC Main Campus Library Computer Lab room 520 (and Orange County Campus when noted below)

WHO? Workshops are open to all Durham Tech students and no preregistration is required

Library 101: Learn How to Use the Library
Learn to locate books, DVDS, articles, and other resources and services to help you take advantage of all that the library offers to students.

Thurs. Sept. 3 12:00-1:00 pm

Wed. Sept. 9 3:00 – 4:00 pm

Avoiding Plagiarism & Citing Sources Correctly
Learn to determine why, when, and how to cite sources and learn proper citation guidelines for MLA and APA formats.  Practice creating citations and ask questions. 

Tues. Sept. 15 11:00 am- 12:00

Mon. Sept. 28 3:00 -4:00 pm

Wed. Sept. 30  2:00 – 3:00 pm (Orange County Campus)

Tues. Oct. 6 12:00-1:00 pm

Thurs. Oct. 8 9:00-10:00 am (Orange County Campus)

Thurs. Nov. 5 1:00-2:00 pm

Database Searching Tips and Tricks  (Note: New Date!)
Learn how maximize your database searching and efficiently locate great articles for your papers and class assignments. 

Wed. Nov. 4 6:00-7:00 pm

A certificate of participation will be given to all attendees. We hope to see you at our workshops!

Great new resource for debates and pro/con research

Posted on by

Opposing Viewpoints in Context is an online resource covering today’s important social issues such as computer hacking, immigration, same-sex marriage, and voting rights.  The differing viewpoints present each side of an issue and help students develop critical thinking skills and draw their own conclusions. Content includes viewpoint articles, newspaper, magazine and academic journal articles, videos, audio, recommended websites, graphics, and statistics. It’s an excellent place to begin research on current topics.

Opposing Viewpoints in Context sample page

Opposing Viewpoints in Context can be found on the Library’s Databases and Electronic Resources page.  Browse topics and explore this exciting new library resource today!