These resources contain basic overview information that can be useful when you're just beginning your research.
You can also search URSUS for dictionaries, encyclopedias and handbooks, many of which are accessible online!
You can search for books in our library and other libraries using the links below. If you're not sure how to find what you're looking for, ask us!
Once you have a good understanding of your topic and have selected a few keywords, OneSearch is a great place to start your research! OneSearch is a convenient way to search almost all of the library’s resources using a single search box.
Below are just a few of our multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary databases that should have articles on most subjects. For more databases, check out our Databases A-Z page and select a relevant subject from the drop-down based on your area of research.
Purdue OWL is the most widely recognized and used guide to APA format. Includes in-text and bibliography formats for a variety of document types, as well as a sample paper for guidance. Some basics are below, see the OWL guide for more.
In-text citations:
References in the text should be cited by author and year, e.g. (Lucchesi, 2017).
Including a page number is required for direct quotes, e.g. (Lucchesi, 2017, p. 221)
Bibliography:
Arrange your references list in alphabetical order by the lead author's last name. If you used author name and date for your in-text citations, arrange your bibliography is alphabetical order by author's last name. If the citation extends to more than one line, each line after the first must be indented.
Below are a few example citations for common source types, but see Purdue OWL for many more examples. Note that this program doesn't allow me to indent the second line of the citation, but all lines after the first must be indented.
Book:
Calfee, R. C., & Valencia, R. R. (1991). APA guide to preparing manuscripts for journal publication. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Duncan, G. J., & Brooks-Gunn, J. (Eds.). (1997). Consequences of growing up poor. New York, NY: Russell Sage Foundation.
Journal article:
Harlow, H. F. (1983). Fundamentals for preparing psychology journal articles. Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 55, 893-896.
Scruton, R. (1996). The eclipse of listening. The New Criterion, 15(3), 5-13.
Example:
URSUS is the combined library catalog for the entire University of Maine system. You can search the entire system, or select University of Southern Maine Libraries in the drop-down.
Other helpful tips:
Most databases, as well as URSUS and MaineCat, assign subjects to books and articles. A subject is a designated word or phrase that describes an idea or concept and groups all articles or books about that concept together.
There are many ways you can get research materials from other libraries. In the vast majority of cases, there is no charge to you for this service!