Library Class and Subject Guides: Off-Campus and Online Users: Tutorials

Tutorial Introduction

Below you'll find video, text, and do-it-yourself tutorials! If you're interested in customizations or have any questions about the materials, feel free to contact us!

Get Started

Learn the library basics by watching these short videos!

Website Tour Video Video: Learn some of the basics of what our library home page has to offer including search options, resources, and ways to contact us
Start Searching with MavScholar Video Video: MavScholar is a simple way to search for articles and books at the same time, across all subjects. This short video shows how to use the research tool.
MavScholar Search Tips Video Video: Quickly learn how to use MavScholar's search features to limit your search peer-reviewed articles, books, current information and more

For Online & Extended Campus Students

Watch these videos show you how to access library resources off-campus

Library Services for Online & Off-Campus Users Video Video: This video is intended to help our online and off-campus users at Minnesota State University, Mankato access library resources. See also our Online & Off-Campus User guide. NOTE: not all video links appear when viewed on mobile devices

Find Articles

Search for, find, & analyze scholarly articles

Interactive Tutorials

Finding Articles by Topic Interactive DIY Tutorial: This tutorial will walk you through searching for articles at MSU.
Find a Specific Article or Journal Find sources with these guided instructions
Reading Scholarly Articles for Research Activity or Assignment: Use this tutorial to understand and describe a scholarly article of your choice. You can email your answers at the end of the tutorial.

Videos

An Overview of Articles Video: This video introduces students to what an article is and where it’s found, also the different types of articles available for research.
Finding Articles by Topic Video: This tutorial will help students search for articles on various topics through MSU’s MavScholar and various article databases.
Finding a Specific Article Video: Use the Library Service website to find a specific journal or article.
Using Google Scholar Video: This video helps students learn Google Scholar’s search features and how to access fee-based information by connecting Scholar to MSU’s library services.
Reading Scholarly Articles Video: This video discusses why scholarly articles are so difficult to read and provides students with tips for to approach reading scholarly articles.
Requesting an Interlibrary Loan Video: This video will walk you through the process of requesting materials from other libraries through our Interlibrary Loan service. You’ll learn how to request items on the Library Services website, and learn how and when to return materials.
Peer Review in 3 Minutes Explains the peer review process. Created by NC State University.
Renewing Books & Other Materials This video will show you how to access your “My Library Account,” and renew materials online through the Library Services Website.

Find Books or eBooks

Search for, check out & renew books and other library items

Interactive Tutorials

Finding Books and eBooks Interactive DIY Tutorial: This tutorial will help users find books and ebooks.
Renew Library Materials Extend the due date of library materials with this guided tutorial

Videos

Searching for Books in Memorial Library Video: Books are an important resource for any project. This tutorial will help you use the Library's website to search for books, access ebooks, and explain the information on the website.
Finding Books in Memorial Library: Step 2 Video: Locate and check out books from Memorial Library at Minnesota State University, Mankato using the call number and location information from the previous video.
Renewing Books & Other Materials Video: This video will show you how to access your “My Library Account,” and renew materials online through the Library Services Website.
Requesting an Interlibrary Loan Video: This video will walk you through the process of requesting materials from other libraries through our Interlibrary Loan service. You’ll learn how to request items on the Library Services website, and learn how and when to return materials.

Citing Sources

Cite sources to appropriately communicate ideas

Interactive Tutorials

Avoiding Plagiarism Tutorial Using text and interactive questions, learn to define and identify plagiarism. You can download or print a certificate of completion at the end.

APA 7th Ed.: Formatting Tutorial Learn how to format your APA style paper. Create a free Academic Writer account and earn a certificate after viewing the information.
APA 7th Ed. In-Text Citation Interactive Tutorial Learn how to cite within the body of your APA style paper. Create a free Academic Writer account and earn a certificate after viewing the information.
APA 7th Ed: Reference List Tutorial Learn how create a reference list in your APA style paper. See also Reference Elements to learn how to create individual APA citations. Create a free Academic Writer account and earn a certificate after viewing the information.

Videos

What is a Citation & Why do we Cite? Video: Citations are an important aspect of research. This video will briefly cover what a citation is, when it’s used, and why we use it.

Understanding Research Concepts

Apply strategies to resolve information challenges

Interactive Tutorials

Is this Fake News? This tutorial will help you discover what fake news looks like and how to discern it.
Beyond Fake News: Identifying Problems within Evolving Technologies Interactive DIY Tutorial: This tutorial collection will help you gain an understanding of the complexity of "fake news." Each module will help you understand problems related to fake news and other types of misinformation.
Confirmation Bias 2.0 Interactive DIY Tutorial: This tutorial will make you aware of and help you discern your own confirmation biases.

Academic Writer (APA)

View Without Academic Writer Account	Free Academic Writer Account Required
Browse Lessons & Samples Including: APA Reference examples Quick guide and tutorial lessons Sample APA papers, tables, and figures	Writing APA style papers with guided instructions in the Writing Center Saving your APA References Saving lesson progress and viewing earned certificates

Videos

Evaluating Web Resources Video: This video helps you determine if a website is reliable and whether the source is appropriate for assignments.
Identifying Scholarly Information Video: This video explains what makes a source “scholarly,” how these sources differ from more popular information, and how to identify scholarly characteristics.
Narrowing Your Research Topic Video: This tutorial offers an overview of how to narrow a topic when researching. The video offers a few examples of how to find subtopics, including limiting sources and focusing on different aspects of a topic. We use the MavScholar database and the topic of E-cigarettes as an example.
Supporting Your Topic with Scholarly Sources Video: This tutorial is designed to help students deal with difficult and specific research. Namely, we will be looking at how to work those specific articles into a basic research project, even when the article doesn’t entirely match your topic.
Using Library Databases Video: In this video students will learn about library databases, how they are different from Google, and how to access the complete contents of fee-based information.

Slideshows

Academic Honesty Slideshow Presentation: This Slideshow defines what academic honesty at MSU.
CABLES Presentation Presentation: This resources walks students through the acronym CABLES and how it can help evaluate sources.