Subject Guide
Research Basics: Introduction
Before you begin your search in our catalog, please sign into your library account. The option to sign in is provided on the top left-hand side of the screen. It would be helpful for you in getting additional information about material Use your EmoryCard to borrow materials yourself from Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, and the University of Georgia (Athens), OR ...
... ask for an interlibrary Use Card at the Woodruff reference desk to borrow materials from other Atlanta area colleges.
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Library SearchUse the library's catalog to locate books, e-books, journals, videos, microfilms, government documents, etc.
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WorldCatThe WorldCat is helpful in searching the holdings of several libraries in the United States as well as many libraries abroad. It is the world's most comprehensive bibliography with bibliographic records representing information spanning 4,000 years. It is the OCLC Online Union Catalog of information contributed by OCLC (Online Computer Library Center) member libraries worldwide.
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Interlibrary LoanCan't find an item you need? Try interlibrary loan (ILL). Loan period and usage policies are decided by the lending institutions.Find out how to place and track requests. Learn about Interlibrary Use Programs that provide Emory researchers in-house and direct borrowing privileges at libraries across North America at https://libraries.emory.edu/using-the-library/interlibrary-services/index.html
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Google ScholarUse Google Scholar to find articles from a wide variety of academic publishers, professional societies, preprint repositories and universities, as well as scholarly articles available across the web.
Requests and Recalls
How to Request
You may request items held by all Emory Libraries. You will be notified once the item is available at your chosen pickup location.
Please note that items requested from the Library Service Center and Oxford College Library are usually sent within two business days.
To request an item from another Emory Library:
- Log in to your Library Search account
- Look up the item and open the item record
- Click on the Locate/Request This Item
- Click on Request Physical Item
Recall a Checked Out Item
You may recall items that are currently checked out to other patrons. Initiating a recall request will shorten the due date for the item to ten days from the date of the recall. You will be notified once the item is returned.
To recall an item:
- Log in to your Library Search account
- Look up the item and open the item record
- Click on Locate/Request This Item
- Click on Request Physical Item
For more information, please click on this link.
Topic Selection/Subject Encyclopedias
Before starting on your paper or project, you'll need to develop a research topic, collect background information, and then find books, articles, and other materials associated with the keywords you've identified that relate to your topic. In order to do comprehensive research, it is important to think about which other disciplines may touch on your topic. Reference sources such as encyclopedias, dictionaries, handbooks, or guides to the literature are a great way to find background information on a topic.