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WRIT 1120: Research Workshop (Fall 25)

This guide contains all of instructions and resources you will need for today's in-class workshop

One good source can lead you to others

Have you found at least one relevant article? If so, try citation chaining!

What is citation chaining?

Citation chaining is a method by which you trace an idea or topic both forward and backward in time either by sources that have cited a particular work or through the references that a particular work has cited. This idea of linking one source to another, which then links to another, creates a chain of related sources or citations.

Steps for following the citation chain forward

Forward chaining: look for sources that cite the source you already have

Library Search

1. To begin, search for your item in Library Search using words from the title, the author, etc.

2. From the item's description (record) in your results list, check the icons at the top right corner of each result. Look for and click on the icon featuring an arrow pointing up. If no arrow is present, try Google Scholar instead.

Google Scholar

1. To begin, search for your item in Google Scholar using words from the title, the author, etc.

2. Beneath each result, you will see a link that says 'Cited by ...' and a number.  Look carefully, as there may be more than one result matching your search.

3. Clicking on "Cited by ..." will bring up a list of citing documents in Google Scholar. These are arranged with the most highly cited works at the top. To locate a copy of these works, you can look for [PDF] links on the right, or links to Find it @ BGSU to the right or below each citation.

Steps for following the citation chain backward

Backward Chaining: look for sources cited within the source you already have

The "shortcut" is to search for the article or book title in Library Search on the library home page [bgsu.edu/library]. If you are unable to find an article title, try this.

The way to identify if BGSU has access to a particular article within a journal, magazine, or newspaper requires several steps. 

1. Begin at the BGSU Libraries home page (bgsu.edu/library)

2. Use the "Find and borrow" menu near the top of the page

3. Select "journal list"

4. Search for the journal, magazine, or newspaper title.

5. When you locate the publication in your results list, click on "available online". Library Search will connect you to the tool you will use to access the content online (note: our subscription may or may not include the date you need).

6. Look for a "search inside this journal" or "search within this publication" search box. Search for the first 5-7 words of the title of the article you need.