Using Folders and Notes in SuperSearch

Folders:
Folders are a great way to organize your research and streamline the process of reviewing your search results. You can access individual articles and eBooks, saved searches, checked-out eBooks, and more in your SuperSearch folder.
Create custom folders to organize resources for different assignments or courses.

1. Select the Folder icon (in the upper right side of the SuperSearch page).
2. Select "My Custom" (left toolbar).
3. Select "New."
4. Add a clever name.
5. Select "Save."

As you review your search results, add useful-looking resources to your specialized folders.
Folder contents can be shared with colleagues.

1. Select your clever custom folder name.
2. Select "Share." (You can make access to your folder password protected.) 
3. Enter email addresses.
4. Select "Invite."

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Notes:
New as of August 2013: In SuperSearch, you can create and save notes regarding specific resources, including articles, books, eBooks, and videos. Anything that you can find in SuperSearch, you can create a note for!

How to create a note:

1. Log in to your personal SuperSearch account.
2. Find a resource; select its title (this takes you to the item's record).
3. Select the "Create Note" link in the toolbar to the right.
4. Select the "New Note" button at the top of the record.
5. Type a note in the space that pops up.
6. Select the "Save" button.
7. Success! Your note is saved and can be accessed and edited anytime by selecting the "Folder" icon in the upper right side of the SuperSearch page. Your note will also show up automatically when you open the item about which you wrote the note.

Check out the visual below. Select the image to enlarge it.

Using Search Alerts with SuperSearch

Save yourself time by setting up a search alert in SuperSearch. Search alerts automatically notify you each time a new article, book, or report is published that matches your search criteria. You can also be notified every time a new issue for a selected journal title is available.

How to set up an alert:

1. Perform a search. A super search, if you will.
2. Stare at the results page. 
3. Select "Share" in the medium-upper right.
4. Select either "Email Alert" or "RSS Feed" (you can be alerted by email or add your alert to your favorite RSS reader).
5. Create the alert using the form that pops up (image #2 below).
6. Select Save.

Select the images for a visual explanation.

Speaking from experience, the humble search alert is the ultimate tool for the professional who needs or wants to keep up-to-date on a specific topic, but is too lazy to go into a database and do a search every once and a while. 

Also speaking from experience, in Internet-nerd speak this translates to:

1. Perform search.

2. Set up search alert.

3. Profit.

How to Bookmark Twin Cities Library's Website

Save time by bookmarking your oft-visited webpages in your Internet browser. Directions for bookmarking webpages in popular Internet browsers are listed below.

And may we suggest bookmarking this guy:  www.smumn.edu/tclibrary

1. Google Chrome
2. Mozilla Firefox
3. Safari
4. Opera
5. Internet Explorer

Understanding Instructor Expectations

Before diving into an assignment, save yourself time and frustration by making sure you clearly understand  your instructor's expectations of quality work.

Below are some useful questions to ask your instructor.

1. Can drafts of the assignment be turned in early for feedback and revisions? (Turn work in early for feedback, even if it isn't complete yet. You will save time and score higher by finishing your assignment right the first time.) 
2. What types of information sources are acceptable for use on this assignment? (Information sources could include primary sources, secondary sources, peer-reviewed articles, trade journal articles, magazine articles, websites, books, or newspaper articles. Make sure you can identify and understand the differences in these information types.)
3. What writing style is expected on this assignment? (A paper could be very formal, like a literature review; more casual and written in first-person, like a reflective paper; or organized in a list format, like an annotated bibliography or research log.)
4. Is there a grading rubric available for this assignment? (Rubrics are good for helping you understand how you will be assessed on your assignment, and what the instructor expects for an A grade.)
5. Do you have any samples of this assignment from previous students?
6. If I have additional questions, what is your preferred method for communication outside of class?

Useful questions to ask yourself:

1. Did the instructor provide a list of items to cover in the paper that I can use to develop an outline?
2. Did the instructor provide a description of the assignment in a syllabus or handout?

There are a couple more useful questions included on this research plan handout. Use it to keep you on track throughout the WHOLE research process.