MARPS, Practicums & Applied Dissertations

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Introduction | Accessing | Searching | Search Results | Printing 

Introduction

The MARPs, Practicums, and Applied Dissertations database is maintained by the Alvin Sherman Library. It indexes a collection of

• MARPs (Major Applied Research Projects)
• practicums
• and applied dissertations

that have been written by students in graduate education programs at NSU. These materials are work-based, problem-solving research required as academic work in NSU's graduate education programs. This database is only available to NSU students, faculty and staff.

These documents are available in both electronic and microfiche formats. NSU distance students may request these documents using the online document delivery service. (http://www.nova.edu/library/serv/docdel/distance.html). If unavailable electronically, NSU local students may request MARPs, practicums, and applied dissertations microfiche at the Reference Desk. NSU alumni may request a copy of their MARP, practicum, or applied disseration by downloading and filling out the document request form.

Sample DHEL (Higher Education Leadership) practicums and applied dissertations are available to NSU students, faculty, and staff at: http://www.fgse.nova.edu/dhel/online_docs.htm

Accessing

This database may be accessed from the Electronic Resources Section of the Alvin Sherman Library website.

Searching

Basic Search

A Basic Search searches across all searchable fields. To construct a Basic Search in the MARPs, Practicums, and Applied Dissertations database

• type your search term(s) in the entry box
• click on the Submit button
  

A screen shot of a Basic Search using the search term "mentoring"

Advanced Search

The Boolean operators, AND and OR, can be used to modify a search.

Use AND to narrow a search

• AND looks for both terms in the same record e.g. "mentoring" and "at risk"; "mainstreaming" and "science"

• OR looks for either term in the same record
  "mainstreaming" or "inclusion"; "elementary education" or "secondary education"

• enter your terms
• using the drop down box to the right of the search box, select a Boolean operator to combine your search terms
  

A screen shot of an Advanced Search using search terms "mentoring" AND "at risk"

To specifiy which fields are searched

• click on the down arrow of the drop-down menu to the right of the search box
• select a field name

You can also limit the search results to a particular program, paper type, and date range, as well as limiting only to documents available in full-text.

Search Results

Search results will vary. If you get:

• No records matched your search, then check your spelling or the fields you searched in.
• Too many, then go back and limit your search. Sometimes a search needs to be modified with: additional search words, searching only a specific field, adding date limitations, or type of materials.
• Too few, then go back and expand your search. Consider synonyms for your search words or concepts. Try to use professional language or terminology.
• Irrelevant results, then try new search terms. Consider synonyms or related concepts. Identify and search using descriptors. Try a different database.

Results List

A list of Search Results matching your search terms will be displayed. The Search Results shows

1. Total records, if any
2. Accession number for items that matched your search, such as 6304, which you may include to order item
3. Citation including title, author, year of publication, type of paper, program and number of pages
4. Keywords used to describe the publication; our in-house subject headings
5. Full Text Options. Citations will include one of the following options for obtaining the document:
   • PDF-Page Format. Whenever a PDF version of the document is available, a link is provided to access online. Click on this link to open the full text document using Adobe Reader.
     (Adobe Reader is available free of charge. See Toolbox for details.)
   • Order through ILLiad. Click on this link to request a microfiche copy of the document via Document Delivery/Interlibrary Loan. After you authenticate, you will notice that the required fields from the citation are already filled in with the information you need to request that document.
     NOTE: This option is available to distance students only. Local students may view microfiche copies at the Alvin Sherman Library. Please call the Reference Desk (954-262-4613) during reference desk hours before coming to the library to request retrieval of the microfiche. You will need to tell the reference librarian the name, title, and number found on your citation.

Printing

• To print the results list, use your Internet browser's print commands to print the document
• To print the PDF-format document, click on the printer icon in Adobe Reader.
  
  
  Printing PDF-format document in Adobe Reader.