Mastering search techniques can help you find the best resources faster and more efficiently. Here are some strategies to help you get the most out of your research:

1. Use Boolean Operators:

Boolean operators help you combine or exclude specific search terms to refine your results.

• AND: Narrows your search by including both terms (e.g., “online learning” AND “study resources”).

• OR: Expands your search by including either term (e.g., “digital textbooks” OR “e-books”).

• NOT: Excludes unwanted terms to narrow your results (e.g., “virtual classrooms” NOT “elementary”).

2. Wildcard Searches:

Use symbols like the asterisk (*) to search for variations of a word. This broadens your search and saves time (e.g., “stud” will search for “study,” “studies,” “student,” etc.).

3. Phrase Searching:

Use quotation marks to search for an exact phrase (e.g., “academic integrity” or “learning strategies”). This helps you find results that match your specific topic.

4. Apply Limiters:

Many databases allow you to narrow your search by applying filters such as:

• Publication date: Focus on more recent materials.

• Document type: Filter for specific types of sources, like peer-reviewed articles or book chapters.

• Subject area: Limit your search to particular subjects or topics for more relevant results.

5. Use Synonyms:

Try using different keywords for similar concepts. If one search term isn’t working, switch it up! For example:

• Instead of “high school libraries,” try “secondary school libraries” or “teen research libraries”.

• Use “study aids” instead of “study resources” to get different results.

By combining these techniques, you’ll be able to fine-tune your search and access the most relevant information for your projects. Happy researching!

Include an in-text citation when you refer to, summarize, paraphrase, or quote from another source. For every in-text citation in your paper, there must be a corresponding entry in your reference list.

MLA in-text citation style uses the author's last name and the page number from which the quotation or paraphrase is taken, for example: (Smith 163). If the source does not use page numbers, do not include a number in the parenthetical citation: (Smith).

Example paragraph with in-text citation

A few researchers in the linguistics field have developed training programs designed to improve native speakers' ability to understand accented speech (Derwing et al. 246; Thomas 15). Their training techniques are based on the research described above indicating that comprehension improves with exposure to non-native speech. Derwing and others conducted their training with students preparing to be social workers, but note that other professionals who work with non-native speakers could benefit from a similar program (258).

References

Derwing, Tracey M., et al. "Teaching Native Speakers to Listen to Foreign-accented Speech." Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, vol. 23, no. 4, 2002, pp. 245-259.

Thomas, Holly K. Training Strategies for Improving Listeners' Comprehension of Foreign-accented Speech. University of Colorado, Boulder, 2004.

Cite web pages in text as you would any other source, using the author if known. If the author is not known, use the title as the in-text citation.

Your in-text citation should lead your reader to the corresponding entry in the reference list. Below are examples of using in-text citation with web pages.

Entire website with author:

In-text citation

Parents play an important role in helping children learn techniques for coping with bullying (Kraizer).

Reference entry

Kraizer, Sherryll. Safe Child. Coalition for Children, 2011, www.safechild.org.

Web page with no author:

In-text citation

The term Nittany Lion was coined by Penn State football player Joe Mason in 1904 ("All Things Nittany").

Reference entry

"All Things Nittany." About Penn State. Penn State University, 2006, www.psu.edu/ur/about/nittanymascot.html.

In MLA style the author's name can be included either in the narrative text of your paper, or in parentheses following the reference to the source.

Author's name part of narrative:

Gass and Varonis found that the most important element in comprehending non-native speech is familiarity with the topic (163).

Author's name in parentheses:

One study found that the most important element in comprehending non-native speech is familiarity with the topic (Gass and Varonis 163).

Group as author:

(American Psychological Association 123)

Multiple works: (separate each work with semi-colons)

Research shows that listening to a particular accent improves comprehension of accented speech in general (Gass and Varonis 143; Thomas 24).

Direct quote:

One study found that “the listener's familiarity with the topic of discourse greatly facilitates the interpretation of the entire message” (Gass and Varonis 85).

Gass and Varonis found that “the listener’s familiarity with the topic of discourse greatly facilitates the interpretation of the entire message” (85).

Note: For quotations that are more than four lines of prose or three lines of verse, display quotations as an indented block of text (one inch from left margin) and omit quotation marks. Place your parenthetical citation at the end of the block of text, after the final punctuation mark.

In addition to awareness-raising, practicing listening to accented speech has been shown to improve listening comprehension. This article recommends developing listening training programs for library faculty and staff, based on research from the linguistics and language teaching fields. Even brief exposure to accented speech can help listeners improve their comprehension, thereby improving the level of service to international patrons. (O'Malley 19)

When citing works by multiple authors, always spell out the word "and." When a source has three or more authors, only the first one shown in the source is normally given followed by et al.

One author: (Field 399)

Works Cited entry:

Field, John. "Intelligibility and the Listener: The Role of Lexical Stress." TESOL Quarterly, vol. 39, no. 3, 2005, pp. 399-423.

Two authors: (Gass and Varonis 67)

Works Cited entry:

Gass, Susan, and Evangeline M. Varonis. "The Effect of Familiarity on the Comprehensibility of Nonnative Speech." Language Learning, vol. 34, no. 1, 1984, pp. 65-89.

Three or more authors: (Munro et al. 70)

Works Cited entry:

Munro, Murray J., et al. "Salient Accents, Covert Attitudes: Consciousness-raising for Pre-service Second Language Teachers." Prospect, vol. 21, no. 1, 2006, pp. 67-79.

The 9th edition of the MLA Handbook recommends using the following core elements in every citation. If elements are missing from the source, they should be omitted from the citation.

Author.

Title of source.

Title of container,

Other contributors,

Version,

Number,

Publisher,

Publication date

Location.

For more information on citing web sources see the MLA Style Center.

Website with author:

Kraizer, Sherryll. Safe Child. Coalition for Children, 2022, www.safechild.org.

Web page with no author:

“Giant Panda.” World Wildlife Fund, 2022, www.worldwildlife.org/species/giant-panda.

The 9th edition of the MLA Handbook recommends using the following core elements in every citation. If elements are missing from the source, they should be omitted from the citation.

Author.

Title of source.

Title of container,

Other contributors,

Version,

Number,

Publisher,

Publication date

Location.

For more information on citing web sources see the MLA Style Center.

Facebook Post:

World Wildlife Fund. “Happy Global Tiger Day.” Facebook, 25 Jan. 2022, www.facebook.com/worldwildlifefund.

Blog Post:

Roncevic, Mirela. “What Are Open Educational Resources and How Do They Fit Into the Growing Landscape of Scholarly Materials?” No Shelf Required, 25 Jan. 2022, www.noshelfrequired.com/what-are-open-educational-resources-and-how-do-they-fit-into-the-growing-landscape-of-open-access-scholarly-materials/.

The 9th edition of the MLA Handbook recommends using the following core elements in every citation. If elements are missing from the source, they should be omitted from the citation.

Author.

Title of source.

Title of container,

Other contributors,

Version,

Number,

Publisher,

Publication date

Location.

For more information on citing articles see the MLA Style Center.

Article in a magazine:

Koren, Marina. “Astronomy’s Most Dazzling Era Is About to Begin.” The Atlantic, 24 Jan. 2022, www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2022/01/nasa-james-webb-space-telescope-journey/621352/

Article in a newspaper:

Bakalar, Nicholas. “To Hippos, a Wheeze and a Honk Mean More Than Just ‘Hello!’” The New York Times, 25 Jan. 2022, www.nytimes.com/2022/01/24/science/hippos.html.

Article in a scholarly journal:

Stock, Carol D. and Philip A. Fisher. “Language Delays Among Foster Children: Implications for Policy and Practice.” Child Welfare, vol. 40, no. 3, 2006, pp. 445-462.

Article in a scholarly journal from JSTOR:

Probst, Jennifer C., et al. "Increase in Numbers and Potential Phenological Adjustment of Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus Colubris) during Autumn Migration at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Eastern Pennsylvania, 1990–2014." The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, vol. 129, no. 2, 2017, pp. 360-364. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/26429801.

Book Review:

Rifkind, Donna. “Breaking Their Vows.” Review of The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd. Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2005, p. T6.

The 9th edition of the MLA Handbook recommends using the following core elements in every citation. If elements are missing from the source, they should be omitted from the citation.

Author.

Title of source.

Title of container,

Other contributors,

Version,

Number,

Publisher,

Publication date

Location.

For information on citing books see the MLA Style Center.

Print book:

Rollin, Bernard E. Science and Ethics. Cambridge UP, 2006.

Book by a group author:

American Medical Association. American Medical Association Family Medical Guide, 4th edition, Wiley, 2004.

Article or chapter within an edited book:

Winne, Philip H. “Self-regulated Learning Viewed from Models of Information Processing.” Self-regulated Learning and Academic Achievement, edited by Barry J. Zimmerman and Dale H. Schunk, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2001, pp. 153-190.

Translation:

Tolstoy, Leo. War and Peace. Translated by Anthony Briggs, Viking, 2006.

E-book:

Tetlock, Phillip E., and Dan Gardner. Superforecasting: The Art and Science of Prediction. E-book ed., Crown, 2015.

Note: For more information on citing e-books see the MLA Style Center.

For more information on citing movies and TV shows see the MLA Style Center.

Film

Hidalgo. Directed by Joe Johnston, Touchstone/Disney, 2004.

DVD

Ballroom Dancing. Directed by Steve Kemsley, American Home Treasures, 2006. DVD.

Episode in Television Series on Netflix

"The Chinese Restaurant." Seinfeld, created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, season 2, episode 11, Castle Rock Entertainment, 1991. Netflix, www.netflix.com.

Personal interview:

Smith, John. Personal interview. 31 Aug. 2007.

Important elements:

• Author’s last name, first name, middle initial (if given, or person responsible for content) if listed

• Title of map (underlined or italicized)

• Descriptive label (e.g., Map, Graph, Photograph)

• City of publication: Publisher, date of publication (if available)

• Title of online collection (underlined or italicized)

• Date of posting or most recent update of collection

• Name of project or reference database (underlined or italicized)

• Name of sponsoring institution

• Date of access and electronic address

Title of map. Descriptive label. City of publication: Publisher, date. Title of Online Collection. Date of posting. Database. Sponsoring institution. Day Month Year of access <electronic address>.

Examples:

Map

Map of the West Coast of Africa from Sierra Leone to Cape Palmas, including the Colony of Liberia. Map. Philadelphia: Finley, 1830. Map Collections 1500-2004. 3 May 2005. American Memory. Lib. of Congress. 1 Aug. 2005 <http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.gmd/g8882c.lm000002>.

Geospatial Data 

Author(s). Title. Publisher, Year, DOI or URL 

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Pennsylvania county boundaries. PASDA, 2021, https://www.pasda.psu.edu/uci/DataSummary.aspx?dataset=24. Accessed 13 April 2021.  

Interactive map application 

Donald W. Hamer Center for Maps and Geospatial Information. State College change through time. ArcGIS Online, 2017, http://psu-libs.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=8b8e085ddc4746bb9dcac35c62bfd1f9. Accessed 13 April 2021.  

ArcGIS Online layer 

View the item details for credits (attribution) information. 

Centre County Government GIS Department. Hydrography. ArcGIS Online, 2020, https://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=c611558362d241ac9b5a1bf4bef3. Accessed 13 April 2021.   

• From the Library of Congress
  Citation structure for maps and charts.