Once you've decided on the type of source to start with (e.g., article, book, web site, etc.), it is time to search for a specific source that best fits your topic. There are several tools that you can use to help you locate information sources at the Syracuse University Libraries:
Google and other web search engines can be helpful for providing some basic background information on a topic. It's important to keep in mind that much of the information you find on the free web has not been evaluated and that the authors may not have appropriate credentials. For tips on using Google in research, see the following resources:
Scholarly sources such as articles from research journals are not freely available on the web. You will need to use the Libraries' databases to access these resources. The Libraries purchase subscriptions to over 600 databases, providing access to thousands of articles, e-books, datasets, images, and other resources for your research. These resources are freely available to you while you are students at SU. When you are off-campus, you will be asked to enter your NetID and password to connect.