Research Services

Reference Desk

The Research and Computing Help Desk in the Knowledge Center is now our main reference desk.  The reference staff there assist users in locating and interpreting information sources. These sources may be print, electronic, or microform in format.  Some of the many research-related questions that can be answered at the RCH include:

• How do I find books and scholarly articles for my research paper?
• My professor says I need primary sources.  What are those?  And how can I find them?
• How do I identify relevant information resources, such as magazine articles, statistics, reviews, and biographical data?
• How do I choose a good topic for my final project?
• Can you help me cite my sources properly to avoid unintentional plagarism?
• How do I find good, accurate websites?

Much more information about both computing and research help at the RCH

Getting Help

• In Person: The RCH hours are Monday-Thursday 8 AM - 7 PM, Fridays 8 AM - 5 PM, and 1 PM - 5 PM on weekends.  To set up a one-on-one research consultation with an expert in your field of study, contact your subject specialist.  
• On the Telephone: Call the RCH at (775) 682-5657 anytime during regular hours.  You can also call your subject specialist.
• Online: Look for the AskUs link on the Knowledge Center website to chat with a librarian (Monday-Thursday 11 AM - 5 PM) or email us a question anytime.  You can also email your subject specialist.
• For Groups: Request a library instruction session or tour for your class or other group.

Starting Research

• Library Research Guide
  • How to get started on a research assignment. A Library Research Guide for English Core Writing is also available.
• Best Information Resources for Getting Started
  • Useful resources for undergraduate homework and research assignments
• What is a Primary source?
  • There are three types of sources used in research: primary, secondary, and finding tools. This short guide will help you tell the difference and suggest databases for finding primary sources.
• What is a Scholarly or Peer Reviewed journal?
  • Essential characteristics of a scholarly journal versus a popular magazine
• Understanding Call Numbers
  • Books and journals are arranged on library shelves by their call numbers, from A-Z. Call numbers help group library materials by subject. This short visual guide will show you how to read them.
• Research Tutorials
• Step-by-step instructions for using different library resources in your research.
• Citing Sources
  • Instructions and examples for different citations styles.
• How to use the Library's resources from Off-Campus
  • How to access licensed information resources on the Web from off-campus.

Reference Resources

Reference books (and ebooks and websites) are resources you can use to get started on research.  They range from general (for example, Encyclopedia Britannica) to subject-specific (for example, the Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology) and contain short articles you can use to gather background information, narrow down research topics, and identify keywords to use in searching for books and articles.

• Web Reference Shelf
  • Online encyclopedias, dictionaries, and more. From off-campus, you will be prompted to log in with your NetID to use some of these resources.
• Subject Guides
  • Consult the subject guide in your field for research starting points.  Links to "Reference Sources Online" will take you to online encyclopedias and dictionaries specific to your subject.
• Print Reference Collection
  • Encyclopedias, dictionaries, and other reference resources in print are located right behind the Research and Computing Help Desk on the second floor of the Knowledge Center.  Feel free to ask a librarian at the desk for help using the collection.  
• Electronic Databases
  • UNR Libraries subscribe to electronic periodical indexes, reference resources, and electronic journals that support the research and informational needs of the UNR community. Researchers may select from a List of Databases by Title or consult a Subject Guide. UNR users who wish to access these resources from off-campus should see Off-campus Access to Licensed Resources for detailed instructions.