Welcome, ENG 302 students! This research guide is designed to help you with your final research project on the history of the English Language. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to a librarian or Dr. Mayer!
Practicing ethical research is essential regardless of the type of research you are doing. However, when communicating information to a wide audience, as you will do through your projects in this class. The elements of ethical research listed below can also be used as you evaluate resources that you find.
Consider the subjectivity of the author.
Consider the time in which the resource was created.
Consider the mission and goals of the organization with which the author is affiliated (especially when thinking about research funding), and the scope and biases of the organization or journal in which the resource was published.
Address your own biases and subjectivity and the ethos or the mission and goals of the organization with which you are affiliated.
Respect the autonomy of the individuals in your study when using data and other primary sources.
Uphold the right of privacy of the individuals in your study when conducting original research.
Cite all sources.
Follow all copyright conditions.
If you find a resource that you believe will be useful for your research and that you cannot access either because it is behind a paywall or the library does not have it, please submit a request for it via Interlibrary Loan. You can complete the ILL form here: http://libguides.washjeff.edu/ill
Articles are scanned and shared as PDFs. Typically you'll receive your article within two business days and then the PDF is yours to keep. Books arrive in at least 7 days and must be returned like any other library book. There is no charge for ILL requests and no limit to how many requests you can make.
Need help? Just ask! Librarians can typically determine whether or not we have full-text access to a resource very quickly. If we don't have it, we'll help you complete the ILL form.