Finding Research
Databases: Best Bets
- Summon This link opens in a new window
A research tool that searches all DelVal databases simultaneously. Contains books, ebooks, dvds, online videos, journals, magazines, newspapers, conference proceedings, and more.
How to Evaluate Articles
Is This Source Really Credible?
These criteria for evaluating websites also apply to evaluating books, journal articles, and more...
Authority
Who wrote the pages?
Is this person or organization qualified to share information about this topic?
What is the real purpose of the website?
What is the website domain?
Objectivity
Are all sides of the issue represented?
Does the website have a hidden agenda or one-sided message to convey?
Is the website really an advertisement in disguise?
Currency
When was the website produced?
Was the website updated recently?
Are there lots of dead links on the pages?
Coverage
Is the information cited correctly?
Do the links to other pages complement the topic or theme?
Setting up RefWorks
RefWorks
RefWorks is a new way to collect, manage, and organize research. You can read, annotate, organize, and cite your research as well as collaborate by sharing collections.
From simple bibliographies to papers formatted with in-text citations or footnotes, RefWorks handles it all. To learn more about RefWorks, use our RefWorks research guide.
To create a RefWorks account:
- Go to the link below and click Create account
- Fill in your information, making sure to use your DelVal email address.
- Go to your inbox and click the email link to complete the activation process.
Already have an account? Just go to the link below and click "Log In"
- RefWorksCitation generation service covering hundreds of styles including Chicago Scientific (Author-Date), Journal of Animal Science, and Council of Scientific Editors (Name-Year).
Online Tutorials
RefWorks screencasts are available 24/7 on ProQuest's YouTube Channel.
Getting Help
Meet with a Librarian
The Writing Center
The Writing Center is staffed by DelVal undergraduate peer tutors who help with writing assignments in all your courses. We view writing as a process that involves planning, reading, drafting, revising, and editing—writing with substance involves discovering your meaning through brainstorming, sharing, and getting lots of feedback.
Tutors help you gain a fresh perspective on the writing process, and can assist with any stage of the process: choosing a topic or working through writer's block, generating ideas, creating an outline, sharpening a thesis, arranging and organizing paragraphs, citing correctly and fluently, editing grammar and mechanics, and more.
Instructors receive a copy of the tutor report completed during the session, to illustrate your engagement with the writing process and meeting the demands of writing across disciplines.
Services are on a walk-in basis, so no appointment is necessary. Schedules are posted in the Writing Center, on Inside DelVal, and on professors' Blackboard course pages.
Tutors look forward to working with you!
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The Writing CenterWe offer in-person writing tutoring AND remote writing tutoring through Zoom. To receive in-person tutoring, simply stop by Miller Hall, room 103 during our open hours. You will be seen on a first-come, first-serve basis.