What do you do when you don’t know where to look of how to begin? 

In track and field, the sprinters who win the race always have great starts. No pun intended, 
but getting started on the right foot will save time, and usually produce superior results.

Having a resource nearby when you are not sure of where to look can make your research 
infinitely more productive and efficient. Starting with a guide to research and resources 
is good practice.

This basic list of guides to research in specific disciplines will help get you started along
efficient and productive paths. In addition to specific resources, these guides also suggest
useful strategies and frameworks for conducting research.

General  Biology, Science and Technology  Business  Communications  
History  Literature  Nursing  Philosophy  Political Science  Psychology 
Sociology  Theology  

General

Mann, Thomas, 1948-
The Oxford guide to library research.
Z710 .M23 1998 REFDESK

Biology, Science and Technology

Davis, Elisabeth B., 1932-
Using the biological literature : a practical guide.
QH303.6 .D38 1995 REFDESK

Hurt, Charlie Deuel.
Information sources in science and technology.
Z7401 .H85 1998 REFERENCE

The business library and how to use it : a guide to
sources and research strategies for information on
business and management / Ernest L. Maier
Z675 .B8 B87 1996 REFDESK

Ganly, John.
Data sources for business and market analysis.
HF5415.124 .F7 1994 REFDESK

The new competitor intelligence : the complete resource for finding, analyzing,
and using information about your competitors.
HD38.7 .F863 1994  REFERENCE

Prucha, Francis Paul.
Handbook for research in American history : a guide to
bibliographies and other reference works
E178 .P78 1987 REFERENCE

Harner, James L.
Literary research guide : a guide to reference sources
for the study of literatures in English and related
topics. PR83 .H37 1993 REFDESK

Clamp, Cynthia G. L.
Resources for nursing research : an annotated
bibliography. RT81.5 .C52 1991 REFDESK

Bynagle, Hans E. (Hans Edward), 1946-
Philosophy : a guide to the reference literature.
B72 .B96 1997 REFERENCE

Political Science

Political science : illustrated search strategy and sources : with an introduction to legal
research for undergraduates / by Roger C. Lowery, Sue A. Cody.
JA88 .L69 1993  REFERENCE

Reed, Jeffrey G., 1948-
Library use : a handbook for psychology.
BF76.8 .R43 1995 REFDESK

Sociology

Aby, Stephen H., 1949-
Sociology : a guide to reference and information sources.
HM51 .A29 1997 REFDESK

Tucker, Dennis C.
Finding religion (in the library) : a student manual
of information retrieval and utilization skills.
Z675.U5 T8 1989 REFDESK