Use
to find books, journal articles and more!
Start with a few keywords to describe your topic or simply start with the name of your icon.
TIP! Use the filter "Full Text Online" under Refine Your Search to access content available online.
Summon is a fast search engine that helps you discover a range of relevant information in the Kwantlen Polytechnic University Library collection. It can be a useful starting place for your library research.
From a single search box you can search for: books/ebooks, conference proceedings, government documents, journal and newspaper articles, and more...
Sometimes a search will return an overwhelming number of results so it is a good idea to use limiting options available, such as limiting to books/ebooks or peer-reviewed journals or by date. After searching in Summon you may wish to switch directly into the library catalogue to search for books or into the individual databases...especially the ones that are not included in a Summon search.
Because SUMMON searches "everything" often the number of search results is overwhelmingly high. Here are some tips to help you create a more manageale list:
Use options (found on the left hand side of the search screen) to reduce the number of results. For example, limit your results to full-text articles from scholarly journals published in a particular date range (e.g. the last ten years)
Search for an exact phrase by using quotation marks. For example, if you are looking for restaurant design try "restaurant design"
Try adding additional keywords that further describe what you are looking for. For example, "restaurant design" AND lighting
Looking for Academic or Scholarly Results?
Searches results can contain a variery of sources including both academic and popular itesm. If you need only scholarly or academic results, please look for the Refine Your Search box and click on "Scholarly & Peer-Review"
Search the Library Catalogue for books by entering keywords that decribe what you are looking for.
You can also search by author name, book title or subject heading.
Search the library's book catalogue for the name of your fashion icon. Here are some samples:
Call numbers help you locate items in the library. You will always find related books shelved together so understanding call numbers can help you find many resources on the shelves.
Still confused about call numbers? See our Call Numbers Demystified Guide!
Call number ranges to get you started:
Our Research database page offers you access to over 100 databases.
Start with the following:
The database only gives me a citation, or just an abstract. How do I find the full text?
The Where Can I Get This link lets you know if the full-text of the article is available:
Make sure to look for the Where Can I Get This on the database page!
Find out more about Interlibrary Loans!
You can access our research databases from home if you are a Kwantlen student or employee.
When conducting research it is important to distinguish between journal articles and magazine articles. Journal articles are typically referred to as "scholarly" or "refereed" while magazine articles are usually considered "popular" or "sensational". Always know which type is acceptable for your research.
|
Refereed or Scholarly Journal |
Trade Publication |
Popular Magazine |
Format |
Has serious format |
Attractive in appearance |
Generally glossy & attractive format |
Graphics |
Graphs and charts to illustrate concepts |
Photos, graphics and illustrations used to enhance articles |
Photos, illustrations and drawing to enhance image of publication |
Sources |
Cited sources with footnotes and/or bibliography |
Occasionally cite sources, but not as a rule |
Rarely cite sources. Original sources may be obscure |
Authors |
Written by scholars or researchers in the field or discipline |
Written by professionals or experts in the field |
Written by the staff or free-lance writers for a broad audience |
Language |
Uses terminology, jargon, and the language of the discipline. Reader is assumed to have similar background |
Uses language appropriate for an educated readership |
Uses simple language for minimal educational level. Articles are short, with little depth |
Purpose |
To inform, report, or make original research available to the scholarly world |
Report on trends in specific industry, business or organization; give practical advice |
Designed to entertain or persuade, to sell products or services |
Publishers |
Generally published by a professional organization |
Published by commercial enterprises for profit |
Published for profit |
Advertising |
Contains selective advertising |
Carries advertising, mostly trade related |
Contains extensive advertising |
Please use Google Chrome when playing videos on campus. When using PCs in e-classrooms, videos should be accessible through Internet Explorer.
Don't believe everything you read. Ask some critical questions about every website:
Who
Is the author easily identified?
- check for an "About us" link
Why should I trust what they say?
Are they credible?
- look for relevant educational qualifications and professional experience
- check author's reputation in Google
What
What type of information is provided?
- personal opinions? research findings?
Does the author cite sources so that you can verify the info?
- confirm in other sources
And are they scholarly sources?
- see features of scholarly journals
Why
Is the author trying to sell something?
- watch especially with .com websites
Does the author or organization have a political or ideological bias, and only present one point of view?
- look them up on Google
When
How current is the information?
- look for sites that are updated regularly
- some areas can change rapidly, e.g. medicine, law
How
Is the site logically arranged?
- avoid sites with many dead links
Does the site look professional?
- not full of misspellings
When writing a research paper, you must always cite any sources that you have consulted. You must acknowledge when you are using the ideas, information, arguments, phrases or any other intellectual or creative output by another person. Not to do so is referred to as plagiarism. Plagiarism is a serious offense that carries with it severe academic consequences, but that can largely be avoided by always citing your resources.
We cite:
Common examples of plagiarism:
Find out more about Plagiarism