Research Help

Need more personalized help with a research project? Fill out our Research Consultation form to schedule an appointment. Librarians can assist you in person, via telephone, or online via Zoom web conference.

Research consultations are highly recommended for more complex information needs. If you have no idea were to begin your research or if you have started your research but feel as if you have hit a dead end, scheduling a 30 or 60 minute research consultation with a Research & Instruction Librarian is a great way to identify appropriate search strategies and find more resources for your topic. Let us know what materials you have found or what search tools you have already used, and we can help you take your research to the next level. During the research consultation, a Research & Instruction Librarian will help you identify additional relevant search keywords and subject headings, recommend additional databases, digital repositories, and search engines to use for the topic, and help you leverage the materials you have already identified using different pearl growing strategies. We recommend students look at the course syllabus and assignment, and schedule a consultation in advance of any deadlines so that you can utilize all of the services and means of access to information available to you.

Our scheduler lists the areas of subject specialization for each of the available librarians, but please note any of the Research & Instruction Librarians below can assist with your research topic regardless of subject. More importantly, select the type (in-person, telephone, or Zoom), length of consultation (30 or 60 minutes) and a date and time that works best for you,

Do I have to schedule a research consultation to get help from the library?

No, we offer time of need/point of need research help in-person, over the phone, and via email during our normal service hours. You may also get 24/7 research assistance using our Chat service. Don't hesitate to contact us with your library or research questions!

How do I join a meeting?

• If you select an in-person meeting, please go to the circulation desk on the main (2nd floor) of Dayton Memorial Library and tell the staff you have a scheduled research consultation. The staff at the circulation desk will direct you to the librarians office.
• If you select a telephone conference, the librarian will call the telephone number you provide when scheduling the consultation
• If you select to meet over Zoom, use the link in the confirmation email to join the Zoom meeting at the specified date and time

Do you offer writing assistance or review student papers?

No, the Writing Center in The Learning Commons provides these services instead. 

Do you offer subject tutoring?

No, the Tutoring Center in The Learning Commons provides these services instead.