Skip to Main Content

Learn How to Research

OneSearch

Try out OneSearch.

The OneSearch is the Learning Common's main search bar. You can search for all types of resources through this search including online material, physical material, scholarly articles, news sources and more. Remember that not everything in the OneSearch is available in Grande Prairie; some of the materials are in our partner institutions so you will have to request that they are sent to you. 

Always use your "Refine Results" limiters to narrow your search. 

Some important limiters: 

  • "Scholarly or Peer-Reviewed Sources

    • Only returns results that are scholarly (books) or peer-reviewed (articles)

  • "Publication Date

    • Important if you are looking for the most up-to-date research 

  • "Format

    • Lets you decide what type of resource to look at (eBook, physical book, journal article, etc.) 

Databases 

Check out all of NWP's Databases here

Searching in a subject-specific database is a good way to narrow down your search. Many databases index resources from a specific discipline. Use the "All Subjects" dropdown menu to choose what subject you would like to search in. Remember that databases index journal articles from many different journals. Choosing a subject-specific database helps you run a more targeted search. 

Not all databases look the same or have the same "Refine Results" options. If you have trouble finding resources in any of NWP's databases reach out to a librarian for help. 

Other Searches

Government of Canada 
The Government of Canada website has a search function that you can use to look for grey literature from multiple governmental agencies.
Statistics Canada 
If you are looking for up-to-date statistical information on Canada, StatsCan has a search function on their website that you can use to find the information you are looking for. 
News Sources 
The Learning Commons subscribes to multiple contemporary and historical news databases. These databases are great for finding first-person accounts of historical events or for gaining insight on recent happenings that haven't had scholarly work published on them yet.