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Many books contain 'named chapters'. In many cases, especially in recent years, those named chapters are included in the online catalog record. You can design searches using the Online Catalog's Advanced Search using very specific words and phrases that will allow you to identify that one chapter in that one book that 1) has relevance to your speech topic and 2) fits the resource requirements for your speech.
The Library does purchase a small but not insignificant number of online books, usually via NetLibrary. Using Advanced Search, you can request that the Location "ISU Electronic Books" paired with your search terms. If you get a match, find the link to the e-book in the catalog record's Link field. Look for:
"Bibliographic record display - An electronic book accessible through the World Wide Web; click for information". Click to open the book.
Remember to allow yourself enough time to READ and ANALYZE the articles, book chapters, etc. you do find! FINDING should take less time than actually READING and incorporating the information into your OUTLINE and NOTES.
The library subscribes to 1,500 PRINT magazine, journal and newspapers, but also provides access to MORE THAN 49,000 FULL-TEXT electronic journals, magazines, trade publications, newspapers, newsletters, and wire services. Finding a few articles to support your speech should be easy but the sheer quantity of online sources available and the many different ways of searching can make it very frustrating -- what words do you use to search? where do I search? can't I find these articles out on the Internet thru Google? Answer to last question: not very often, and you'll spend too much time searching for the little you'll find. MOST articles are still copyrighted and owned by the publishers, who are not putting them out on the web for general consumption. Therefore, you find an article database, plug in your words and phrases, look for ways the database allows you to limit your search [many more than Google], and in a fairly short period of time, you should be able to find what you need.
For the speech researcher, after you enter your words/phrases, most databases allow you to choose a Field in which to search. Choose TITLE. Often, if your words/phrases are in the TITLE of the ARTICLE, it iNdicates that the focus of the article is really about YOUR topic. Some databases let you choose TYPE of article as well, such as 'Feature' [good for informative], 'Opinion' or 'Editorial' [good for persuasive].
Lastly, what happens if you are using a database, you find an article CITATION but can't locate the FULL-TEXT? Look for the CHECK FOR AVAILABILITY link. Your article MAY be in another of our databases, it may be in one of the remaining PRINT periodicals, or we may not have it, in which case, you'll want to consider INTERLIBRARY LOAN, but ONLY if you are researching in advance, so the Library has time to try to acquire the article from another library.
The Databases listed here are good general-topic/all-topic places to start. Inquire about additional databases based upon your particular need and the Librarians will be able to advise you on where to go next!
