Generally speaking, a scholarly resource (versus a "popular" resource) is one that is:
While you can find freely available scholarly information online, you will miss out on key resources if you only use Google or GoogleScholar. Many scholarly resources are only available with a paid subscription or license. The library licenses thousands of ejournals and ebooks, as well as numerous professional resources in support your research and study. Please ask for assistance from faculty within your program or at the library. We would be happy to provide guidance on what research tools are available and how to use them effectively.
If you have ever heard any of these phrases from your faculty or PI, then its time to get out your laptop and mark off the next week your calendar as "busy." A proper literature review can be time consuming - especially if you are trying to conduct a thorough analysis of all published research on a topic.
Part of being an efficient, effective, and ethical researcher is to properly document the sources that you have gathered during your literature review. This guide will walk through the basics, but if you have further questions, please talk to your faculty, including the library faculty. We'll be happy to help you find, organize, and document your research appropriately.
Phone: (515) 271-1537
Email: library.dmu.edu
![]() |
![]() |