The first thing you must do is to decide on a topic for your research. The next step would be to determine what words or search terms might yield results that are relevant to your topic. It is a good idea to "brainstorm" and develop a short list of search terms. See Library Research Strategy.

Start your search by searching for books in the Leatherby Libraries Catalog. Here you will find both Reference books, which will be helpful in gaining a basic understanding of the subject area, and circulating books, which will provide further details about a chosen topic. Reference books may not be checked out, and can be used only in the Library, whereas circulating books can be checked out and taken home for further study. The Reference Librarian is available to help you with suggestions on how to effectively use the Leatherby Libraries Catalog.

After gaining a foundation of knowledge on your subject from the Leatherby Libraries Catalog, begin searching for periodical articles in some of the Leatherby Libraries Periodical Indexes online. There are several indexes in each subject area, and most subject areas have at least one index that offers full-text periodical articles for you to print out. When comparing periodical indexes to books, remember that the most current information comes from periodical articles and that in-depth coverage will come from books.

Remember to narrow your search with additional search terms when you retrieve too many articles, and to broaden your search by taking away search terms when you retrieve too few articles. Check our Boolean Searching explanation for a better understanding of how to narrow or broaden your searches or ask a Librarian! Reference Desk hours/phone.

Each resource has its own advantages. Periodicals (magazine articles, journal articles, or newspaper articles) have the advantage of being the most current, while books offer more historical, in-depth coverage of the topic. Depending on your research needs and the assignment given, you will decide which resource better fits your research needs. Usually, a combination of periodical articles and books will be beneficial for the researcher. If, for example, you were conducting research on a new scientific discovery, periodical articles would have the latest up-to-date information on that discovery. For items on the Vietnam conflict, it would be more beneficial to locate books on the topic as well as periodical articles. Since the Vietnam conflict ended over 25 years ago, researchers and scholars have had ample time to write and publish many books on this topic.

Reference books are especially useful for their ability to provide a thorough overview of your subject. Reference books often explain the major issues surrounding your subject, focus on central themes, significant events or people, and provide ample suggestions for additional readings related to your topic. In fact, both books and periodical articles will have reference lists or bibliographies that may be helpful for conducting further research on a subject.

• From the Leatherby Libraries home page, select the button on the left entitled "Find Articles...".
• Select "Indexes by Subject".
• Select the most appropriate subject area.
• For example, if you were looking for human resources information, you would select the "Business" link.
• Select a Periodical Index where you will begin your research. Consider trying a "full-text" Periodical Index first.
• Type your search terms into the "Search box" and perform a search for articles in the Periodical Index you selected. "Advanced" features may be helpful in limiting and searching for specifics within your topic.
• You can always ask or call for assistance from the Reference desk if needed (714) 532 - 7714.

Method 1

• From the Leatherby Libraries home page, select the button on the left entitled "Find Books...".
• Choose a "Title" search.
• Type the title of your magazine or journal in the search box and press Enter. If the Chapman Library owns your magazine or journal, it will have an entry/record in the Leatherby Libraries Catalog.
• Select the matching entry/record.
• When you locate the entry/record for your magazine/journal, locate the LIB HAS field. The LIB HAS field will tell you exactly which volumes/issues of your magazine/journal are available in the Leatherby Libraries.

Method 2

• From the Leatherby Libraries home page, select the button on the left entitled "Find Articles...".
• Under the Periodical Holdings Catalog there is a text box that says, "Title begins with".
• Type the title of your magazine or journal in the search box and press Enter. If the Leatherby Libraries has access to this journal or magazine online or in print, it will display links to either the catalog record or the database where the journal or magazine is available full-text.
• To access the full-text of the journal or magazine, simply click into the appropriate database and conduct a search for that journal or magazine.

In order to be thorough, it is best to try both methods below when you are searching for videos in the Leatherby Libraries Catalog.
Method 1

• Using the Leatherby Libraries Catalog, perform a "Subject" search for your topic.
• Choose the "Limit Search" feature at the top of the results page.
• Select to limit by "Material Type" - Video/DVD/Film

Method 2

• Using the Leatherby Libraries Catalog, perform a "Word" search for the word "Video recording".
• Choose the "Limit Search" feature at the top of the results page.
• Select to limit by "Words in the Subject" and type your subject into the text box provided. For example, when looking for education videos, type "Education" into the text box. You will then retrieve all "Video recordings" that have the word "Education" in the subject field.
  

• From the Leatherby Libraries home page, select the button on the left entitled "Find Books...".
• On the right side of the screen you will see a choice to search for Reserve Materials by Course Name or Instructor Name. Select either of these search methods.
• Type Course Name or Instructor Name in the search box and press Enter.
• Select the matching entry/record.
• After you have accessed the correct record, copy down the call number and request the item at the Circulation Desk.

The library attempts to support the curriculum with relevant materials. However, if you are unable to locate a book on your topic, please follow these steps:

1. From the Leatherby Libraries home page select "Find Books... ".
2. Choose "Subject" and type in your topic term(s). If you are unsuccessful, return to the Leatherby Libraries Catalog page.
3. Choose "Word" and type in the topic term(s). This will broaden your search considerably. If you are again unsuccessful, return to the "Find Books..." page and repeat your "Subject" and "Word" searches in the UC-MELVYL or CSUlink Catalogs.
4. If an item is located from the UC-Melvyl or CSU Link Catalogs, you will need to request this item using an online Interlibrary Loan (ILL) form found on the Chapman Library home page.
5. If you still need further assistance, call the Reference desk for a Librarian during Reference Desk Hours.

You may suggest books/periodicals/videos that you think would benefit the Leatherby Libraries collection by completing a Book Request Form. The appropriate subject Librarian will review your request.

You may simply order the item through the Leatherby Libraries Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Department, by completing the online ILL form located on the Library home page. The ILL Department will locate the item and notify you when it is available for pickup at the circulation desk. The average request takes approximately two weeks. Undergraduates can submit 5 requests per week for a total 25 free requests per semester. Graduates can submit 10 requests per week for a total of 40 free requests per semester.
You may also consider driving to CSU-Fullerton or UC-Irvine to get the materials after first checking the library catalogs for these institutions. To check CSU-Fullerton and UC-Irvine's catalogs, follow these instructions:

1. Select "Finding Books..." button from the Leatherby Libraries home page.
2. Select either CSU-Fullerton or UCI catalogs. You will be connected directly to the Library Catalog for that institution.
3. Search for the item you need by selecting a title search and entering the appropriate title in the search box.
4. Write down or print out the record to take with you.

Chapman University is now using EZ Proxy. You will be asked to provide a Username and Password when attempting to enter our subscription library resources such as indexes, databases, online encyclopedias, online dictionaries, and online full - text catalogs. To login you must enter your Username, which is the first part of your Chapman University email address, and your email password.If you have questions, please contact the Academic Help Desk at (714) 997 - 6600 or the University College Library Assistant at (800) 344 - 5756, ext. 1.
For example:
Username: smith
Password: 123456
You may also find our electronic resource troubleshooting flowchart helpful.

You can get help from a Librarian with any of your library related questions by visiting or calling the Reference Desk during Reference Desk hours or by completing a request for an Individual Reference Conference. If you are a CUC student or faculty member, please contact the CUC Virtual Librarian at aknight@chapman.edu or call (714)532-7736.

Check the hours periodically, because they may be subject to change.
Click here to access the Library's hours.
Click here to access the Reference Desk hours.