MSU Library Website Navigation Guide

Library Website Update: Significant improvements to the MSU library website for easier navigation and article searches.

Website Access: The library website can be accessed at lib.msu.edu.

Search Articles: Select "Articles" from the dropdown menu on the homepage. This process is now streamlined from 5-7 steps to just 2-3.

Article Selection: Students need to find at least two articles. It's important to determine if articles will be used to develop new questions or to answer existing questions.

Search Strategy: When developing questions based on articles:

• Search broadly within the relevant field.
• Consider specific aspects within the field (e.g., "civic engineering" instead of just "engineering").

Results Filtering: After a search:

• Click "View all results" to see available articles.
• Use the "Full Text" checkbox and apply filters to access complete articles.

Accessing Articles: Log in to gain full access to resources. Some articles may be accessible as a guest, but logging in will provide full access to a broader range.

Adjusting Searches: Users can modify search queries directly on the results page, avoiding repetitive homepage navigation.

Core Questions: For questions users already have, break them down to essential components (e.g., topics related to first-year writing and scholarly sources). Use those components for specific search terms.

Source Familiarity: Familiarize with terminology in your field to improve search results (e.g., "citation practices" for researching how students engage with sources).

Article Review: Skim the article to check for relevance using abstracts and keywords from your search.

Navigational Tools: Return to the library homepage using the MSU Libraries icon while within an article.

Final Thoughts: Ensure to explore articles to formulate or better understand research questions. Using two sources may not be sufficient for extensive research, so consider additional resources if needed.