To get started, head to https://library.whatcom.edu/. Let’s select OneSearch.

In the search bar, type your topic (for example, anxiety) then use the boolean operator AND plus the type of data you are looking for. You might try systematic sampling, stratified sampling, or cluster sampling. Put quotation marks around words that you want to find together in the text.

Your search could look like this:

Click the magnifying glass to Search. When you see all the results, your search terms will be highlighted not just in the title but also throughout the abstract. Presence of the data sampling keywords in the abstract probably indicates that the article will be about the topic you chose rather than being an article about that data type.

Another type of search for data might include primary studies, or experiments performed by the author of the article. Check out this post, Finding specific data types and experiments in research for more tips on that type of search.

There is a hierarchy of evidence in sources that you should understand. Here’s an image model that shows filtered information at the top (articles using outside data), then primary sources where the author did the experiment themself, and at the bottom where there was no design or humans.

You can use the type names of those layers when you search to get articles with experiments by the author. For example:

• sexuality and “randomized controlled trial” articles in OneSearch
• sexuality and “cohort study” articles in OneSearch
• sexuality and “case control study” articles in OneSearch

You can see I put the type names in quotation marks so those words would appear together during the search. You can use that strategy in other health databases, too. Also, this isn’t guaranteed to be 100%, so definitely check the Methods section of the article to be sure it’s what you want!

The library also has access to many textbooks via our Course Reserve collection. These materials can be checked out until end-of day.

Any questions? Stop by or call 360.383.3300.

Activate the feature, then click in the Table of Contents or the text of the book where you want it to start reading.

The Read Aloud feature works best with books in EPUB format, but also works with some PDFs.

Basic Structure

Last Name, First Name. Title of Resource. Publication Info, Year.

Library Support

In-Text References

Authors, dates, and page numbers can be cited in-text in several different ways.

Example 1: James Fenmore Cooper writes, “It was in the scene of strife and bloodshed that the incidents we shall attempt to relate occurred” (11).

Example 2: “It was in the scene of strife and bloodshed that the incidents we shall attempt to relate occurred” (Cooper 11).

Example 3: Walker (2000) compared reaction times favorably to his predecessor.

Works Cited section

• Use the title Works Cited centered at the top of the page
• Alphabetize by author last name, use a hanging indent, and double space

Examples of Specific Types of Resources

Annotated Biographies

Annotations should be appear after the citation entry. Your annotations should be indented.

MedicLatina is a Spanish language database of medical research and investigatory journals from Latin American and Spanish publishers.

The WCC Library has over 100 books in Spanish, although some are for English speakers learning the language and some are written in Spanish.

If you would like to find more, you can use the library’s OneSearch and change the language to Spanish. This means that your results are labeled in Spanish, although they might be English articles and books, as shown in this picture.

If you would like to see results in Spanish, you can limit the results on the left by choose Language: Spanish, as shown in this picture.

Reminder: some of our resources require that you enter your username and password when accessing them from off-campus. Contact the Student Help Desk or call 360.383.3410 for technology assistance or if you need assistance with your username or password.

To land on the library’s website from the WCC Homepage, click on Academics or Current Students, then slide over to Library.

OneSearch is kind of like the “Google” of library resources. OneSearch searches the library’s physical resources, plus most (but not all) of the library’s subscription databases, along with a selection of open-source eBooks and articles from trusted web sources.  

The results list will contain a wide variety of books, eBooks, videos, images, and articles from newspapers, magazines, and scholarly peer-reviewed journals that you can access with the click of a button.  Websites are NOT included in OneSearch results.

Use individual research databases if:

• You want a thorough examination of your topic using electronic resources like journal articles, ebooks, and book chapters.  Searching individual databases will usually yield more thorough results.
• You need to run a very specific search using specialized filters (e.g. a peer-reviewed article describing evidence-based practice, written by an Registered Nurse)

Here’s a list of all the databases the WCC Library subscribes to.

On the FAQ tab at the top of the WCC Library Homepage, you’ll find out 

• How to cite the sources you use in your research paper
• How to subscribe to The New York Times
• If the Library has a specific book (including textbooks)
• How to view a film an instructor has on Reserve
• Library hours
• And more!

Can’t find an article in OneSearch? Try interlibrary loan (under the Services tab at the top).

Use our Tutorials to learn details on finding and using library resources.

Our Handouts for Printing and Sharing, where you’ll find current APA and MLA style sheets, subject exploration, and how to locate books, journal articles, and how to use our databases

Need an idea for an essay or research topic? 

Use our Research Guides to locate resources on American Sign Language, Business Ethics, Communication Studies,  Economics, Positive Work Environments, Literature, and so much more! 

Under the photos of the Learning Commons on the Library’s homepage, you’ll seek Quick Links to

• Our Open Textbook Collection
• New Materials added to our collection
• Links to Interlibrary Loan
• And Course Reserves

Want to find out more about Open Educational Resources? You’ll find ways to access photos, videos, audio, and even Wikipedia Commons! Take time to explore other valuable and interesting links from the Library Homepage, like our Hours and Location, our library’s History, who we are and how to contact us, and our Policies. 

The full book can be found by visiting a librarian or available for check-out in the Stacks (BF 76.7 .P83 2020)

1. Reference list citation

Smith, J., Jones, B. E., Brown, K. E., Doe, J., Chan, L., Garcia, S. M., ... Zhang, Z. Z. (Date). Title. Source.

2. In-text citation

APA format generally requires the author-date method of citation. If there is one or two authors, list names (Smith, 2019) and (Brown & Jones, 2019).

For three or more authors, list the first author’s name and et al (Smith et al., 2019).

3. Formatting your APA style paper

Titles of papers are in bold with a blank line before your name.

References (page title) in bold.

Make a hanging indent for your reference list.

More information at the APA Style: Student Title Page Guide

Sample papers in Word and PDF

4. Frequently used sources:

Samanez-Larkin, G. R. (Ed.). (2019). The aging brain: Functional adaptation across adulthood. American Psychological Association. https://psycnet.apa.org:443/PsycBOOKS/toc/16123

The Bhagavad Gita. (E. Easwaran, Trans.; 2nd ed.). (2007). The Blue Mountain Center of Meditation.

King James Bible. (2017). King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/ (Original work published 1769)

Zhao, W., Garcia-Oscos, F., Dinh, D., & Roberts, T. F. (2019). Inception of memories that guide vocal learning in the songbird. Science, 366(6461), 83–89. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aaw4226

Derry, K. (2018). Myth and monstrosity: Teaching indigenous films. Journal of Religion & Film, 22(3), Article 7. https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2013&context=jrf

Magazine and newspaper articles

Include a URL if it goes to the full text for free. Note the newspaper or magazine title is italicized.

Gibson, J. (2019, October 9). SF College zoo works to become more inclusive. The Gainesville Sun. https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/local/2019/10/09/sf-college-zoo-works-to-become-more-inclusive/2570723007/

Corcodilos, N. (n.d.). Keep your salary under wraps. Ask the Headhunter. https://www.asktheheadhunter.com/keep-salary-wraps

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2010, February 1). Facing down PTSD, vet is now soaring high. https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/index.asp

Class materials

If the audience for the paper being written can access materials like those in your class, these can be included in the references list.

Matthews, D. (2019). [Lecture notes on evaluating  Internet resources]. Canvas at Whatcom Community College.