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Start here for quick access to selected resources on a topic: research databases, reference books, and web sites! |
Overview
QuickQuest (Q2) is a research tool designed to retrieve key resources on selected topics.
These resources primarily include article indexes/databases, reference sources, and web sites. Q2 is a good place
to start when you’re not familiar with the topic you're researching and don't know where to start.
Q2 is a selective research tool; it is not comprehensive. That is, the resources included are ones that
librarians have designated as good starting points and that are standard information resources used by researchers
in the field. If you need to conduct more comprehensive research, search other information resources, like the
BGSU Libraries Online Catalog, the OhioLINK Central Catalog, and much more.
In the event that a resource exists in both print and electronic formats, the preference in most cases is the electronic format and additional information is provided about the print source. Because the purpose of the tool is to
provide quick access for both on- and off-campus users, the electronic version of a resource is given priority in Q2.
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Menu-Driven Searches
Q2 is a menu-driven search tool. Select from a list of alphabetically arranged topics or browse by broad category
and select a topic from the list associated with the broad category.
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Limits
Your search can by limited by audience, material type, and online availability.
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Audience
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You can limit to either scholarly or popular & trade. Some resources, like the research database Academic Search
Premier, include information for both audience types. In that event, you will need to evaluate carefully the
information you select so that it meets your needs. For more information about the distinction about these audience
types, visit
Scholarly Journals, Popular Magazines, and Trade Publications.
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Material Type
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You can limit to reference sources, article indexes/databases, and web sites.
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Reference sources include dictionaries,
encyclopedias, statistical sources, and other background information.
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Article Indexes/Databases lead you to articles
in magazines and journal articles. Use these to identify articles on a given topic. Nearly all of the online
article indexes, also known as research databases, contain or link to full-text articles.
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Web sites include freely available,
non-subscription resources. Web sites included in this database are among those considered "excellent" or are
a standard resource for a selected topic.
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NOTE: If no material type is selected in the limit feature, then all three types in addition to any materials
in the "Other" category will be retrieved.
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Online Availability
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This limit retrieves only those resources that are available online: electronic books, research databases which contain or link to full-text articles, and web sites. If you are conducting research off campus, you may want to use this limit so that you retrieve resources available outside of the library.
While the web sites are freely available to anyone, the electronic books and research databases are subscription library resources. Only valid BGSU faculty, staff, and students have access to them. If you are off campus, remember to use any off-campus link and authenticate. You will be prompted for your name and PO#. If you are having problems authenticating, consult Off-Campus Access to Library Resources.
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List of Results
Whether you search by broad category or topic, your results will be retrieved in a list of short entries of the
resources. The fields included in the short listing give enough information for you to access the item.
For more information about a resource, click on its title in the list of results. This will take you to the long
entry for an item. It provides additional information about a source, which may include
links to tutorials, vendor help, and more.
For library resources, a link to the resource in the BGSU Libraries Catalog is listed in the long entry. Click
on the BGSU Libraries Catalog link for comprehensive information about the resource at the BGSU Libraries.
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Help
Consult a reference librarian if you need help identifying additional resources or using any of the resources you
retrieve in Q2.
Ask a Librarian provides details about opportunities for research
help at the BGSU Libraries.
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