Tarleton State University Libraries Unit 3 MATCHING SEARCH TOOLS & INFO NEEDS   As the descriptions of search tools on the preceding pages indicate, each search tool is designed to locate specific types of information sources. You should always choose search tools based on your information needs and the types of sources that would be appropriate. The following examples illustrate how specific information needs determine which search tool to use when locating information. If you need scholarly and authoritative articles or case studies about conflict resolution, management trends, marketing practices, effects of policies, employee retention, and so on, you should use • print periodical indexes and abstracts to find article citations, • library databases to find articles and article citations, and • Internet search tools to find professional publications that offer free or paid access to articles. If you need background information about human resource management philosophy, theorists, policies, practices, etc., you should use • the library's online catalog to locate books, reference materials, and media items about your topic. If you need articles written for a general audience about employee morale and incentives, retirement and insurance issues, and other such topics, you should use • print periodical indexes and abstracts to find article citations, • library databases to find articles and article citations, and • Internet search tools to locate professional sites or articles in electronic magazines that offer free or paid access to articles. If you need current information about employment issues in an industry, lay-offs in an area or business, mediation processes, and similar topics, you should use • library databases to find articles and citations in trade publications and newspapers, and • Internet search tools to locate online trade publications and newspapers that offer free or paid access to articles.   Internet Search Tools Using the Search Tools   Library Orientation Site Index Updated 7/2004