Link to Bonnycastle Library Catalogue

English - Global Issues Research Guide

General information

For this assignment you are required to use your books as your vehicle to discuss a global issue. To do this effectively you will be researching the themes, symbolism, and content of your books as well as gather evidence to prove the global connection you make in your thesis.

In this guide you will find information about researching databases to effectively locate content to meet both requirements. There is also information about researching on the web and NoodleTools.

This page includes search boxes for the databases used most often. For more information about a specific database or to view all the online resources and tutorials to help you get the most out of the online databases, please visit the Library Resources page or click the Databases icon.

Remember, to access the databases at home you will need the usernames and passwords found on mySJR under links. Click on the link to the page entitled Educational Resources Log in and Password Information.

Databases

Search Destiny

Database usernames and passwords

Search the Library Catalogue

Destiny, the library catalogue, has excellent resources for critical analysis and interpretations as well as nonfiction books to support research on your chosen global issue. Don't skip searching. Editors and authors act as aggregators, gathering appropriate and credible information in a concise manner.

Pay attention to icons

Destiny tips

Use the Advanced search

Use the name of your book or the name of your author when searching Destiny. Searching your terms by subject will ensure you find books about the author or book.

Use quotation marks around phrases

Putting quotation marks around a search term phrase will ensure the words are searched together. Keyword searching will search the words separately.

Use the Index

The library has a large number of anthologies of literature reviews. Find a book about the author/book and look in the index for your specific theme.

Best databases for critical analysis and interpretation

Gale databases

Although you have to search Gale's literary databases separately, they do provide excellent critical analysis and interpretation.

Notice that you can limit the results to critical essays by clicking under Document type. The PowerSearch will search Twayne's Authors Online and the Gale Virtual Reference Library simultaneously.

Infobase - Bloom's Literature

Edited and curated by Yale University professor Harold Bloom, this database includes thousands of critical essays, author biographies and character analyses, the full text of hundreds of reference books, and full-length videos of classic plays and films.

EBSCO databases

EBSCO is a great source for both the literary criticism as well as for researching the global connection. EBSCO has a number of periodical databases. It is a good choice when looking for current information from magazines, journals, and newspapers.

Searching a global issue

EBSCO Discovery, once it is fully enabled, will search all the resources Bonnycastle Library has at one time. It can be a great search but will provide you with a lot of results. Consider using a specific database if you know what you are looking for.

Searching a global issue:

The following databases will provide periodical and newspaper articles, videos and more:

Our World on the Manitoba Research Gateway provides access to unique collections from Gale Primary Sources. This resource is made up of millions of pages of digitized historical content including newspapers, maps, photos, pamphlets, manuscripts and more.

Remember to cite your sources.

A word about bias

Confirmation Bias: When you only pay attention to resources that support your opinion. Often people don't even realize they are filtering out other opinions and facts. To avoid confirmation bias, get your information from a variety of sources. Look at both "pro" and "con" arguments.

It is up to you to assess the validity of a source.

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