Mardigian Search will find books, also articles, newspapers, media, etc. all in one search. You can refine search results to content type (books, journals, magazines) publication dates (single year or range of dates), and by discipline (language and literature, engineering, history)
To locate books, which will mostly be secondary sources, you can search from the Mardigian Library Catalog found on the Mardigian Library Homepage. Under the section "More Research Tools" go to the "Books & E-books" link :
Books that are in print (paper) will have a call no., location in library and availability (e.g. if it has been checked out)
E-Books will have an "Access Online" link. Click there to access the book on your device (laptop/desktop, tablet, phone)
Evaluate the material with some of the criteria below. One way to actually determine if an item is useful for your assignment is to browse through the book. Look at the table of contents, index section, etc. Also if in the library for a print book, browse the shelves around the item, possibly finding related material. With e-books, many have links to related books that you can browse as well.
Not finding the book you need? Try using our Interlibrary loan service, MeLCat, and other UM campuses to borrow books and other materials.
Here is how to evaluate a book
1. The material should be from a credible or known or trusted publisher.
2. The material should be authored by professionals, experts, and credentialed individuals. Does the author work in the trade? Does the author teach in the discipline? Does the author hold a Ph.D.?
3. The material should be researched and verifiable. Does the material show evidence of research and include a bibliography of the author's research? If there is no depth of research can the material be checked for accuracy? Does the author point to anything that can be checked?
4. The material should be current. Material considered to be current is less than five years old unless you are looking for things for an historical perspective.
5. The material needs to be readable. The language within the material cannot be "jargony".
