Is there a limit to the number of articles that we can order through interlibrary loan?
There is no limit to the number of articles you may request. Request what you need to complete your research.
How long may we keep interlibrary loaned articles? How do we return the loaned articles?
Copies of interlibrary loaned articles will be emailed to you. You keep the articles as long as you need them and you do not return the loaned articles.
How long does it generally take to get a book through interlibrary loan?
Books usually arrive in about seven calendar days. Some may take ten days to two weeks, but this is unusual; request the book as soon as you know that you will need it.
How do I get articles that don't have full text available in Saint Mary's databases?
You may ask the library to borrow the article from another library directly from within database. Click on and then, "Request this article from Interlibrary Loan." The article will be emailed to you. For more information on using
visit How do I use the Find Text button in a database.
Is it ok to use Google Scholar to locate articles?
Absolutely! Don't hesitate to use Google Scholar as a broad-based article search engine. When accessed on campus computers or via the campus' wireless network, Belleaire, Google Scholar will link to the library's holdings - look for "Local Holdings" links on the right of a list of articles. If not available in the our library's holdings, return to the library homepage and use the "Interlibrary Loan" link to request the article.
How do I find how many people cited an article in the future, after it was published?
To see how many people cited the article in their work (looking to the future influence the article you are viewing has had on the scholarly conversation), use Google Scholar or the database Web of Science at Notre Dame. In Google Scholar enter the article title in double quotation marks in the search field. When the article's record is displayed, notice the link, "Cited by." Clicking on this link will take you to citations of articles that have cited your article of interest article after it was published.
What if I can't find enough information on my topic?
Consult with the anthropology liaison librarian (shinnefe@saintmarys.edu). Email me and we can set up a consultation. You may also ask the reference librarian at the reference desk of Cushwa-Leighton Library during these hours,
Reference Hours
Mon - Thur 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM (No reference service 5 PM - 6 PM)
Fri 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM (chat reference 'til 5:00 PM)
Sun - 1:00 PM - 9:00 PM
How do I make sure that I have enough information & articles? And, I'm afraid that I will not find enough quality articles.
Consult with your professor. Ask a reference librarian for help finding additional relevant, scholarly articles.
If I'm not finding exactly what I'm looking for (I'm only finding articles that sort of fit), are there other places to look?
Yes, think about your topic in a multi-disciplinary way. Are there other disciplines that inform your topic? To find databases recommended by librarians in other disciplines, click on "Research by Subject" on the library's home page. Navigate to a second discipline that is related to your topic and discover other databases ("Articles" tab).
Also, try some searches in Google Scholar.
How many sources do I need to have cited in my paper?
Good question, how many is enough? A few questions to ask yourself: have you located enough sources to inform an answer to your research question? Are there weaknesses in your arguments that you need additional sources to strengthen? Have you asked your professor for guidance? Research isn't done in isolation - the conversations you have among a community of scholars are essential.
Some quote as a rule of thumb, use at least one source for each page of required length of paper. You will have to decide for yourself if this rule of thumb is appropriate.
How much should I focus on a few articles that are very relevant to my research?
Try to broaden your search to include other authors who can substantiate the findings. By reading more broadly you may discover other aspects of the topic/experiment the original author did not fully develop.
How can I keep narrowing down keywords?
Find one article that is at least touching on the topic you are interested in; click on the title of this article; look at the subject headings listed. Investigate the "Thesaurus" tab (blue tab near the top of PsycINFO interface) to identify other narrower subject headings.
How do I narrow all the things out there into one specific research question?
In the early stages of your literature review your draft research question may well undergo changes. As you read more about your topic you will be able to refine, narrow, and hone your research question. Don't hesitate to engage in conversation about your research question with your professor, other scholars in Ethnographic Methods, and with reference librarians.
