Getting Started

Your librarian

Michael Kirby

Michael.Kirby@dctc.edu

651-423-8406

Library hours

Fall & Spring Semesters:

Monday - Thursday:
7:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Friday:
7:30 AM to 3:30 PM

 

Summer Sessions:

Monday - Thursday:
8:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Library links

Library session feedback

If your class recently attended a Library session, please let us know how we did with this short survey.

Welcome

Welcome to the DCTC Library's Veterinary Technician subject guide. On this page you will find helpful information about the research and writing process, including links to help you evaluate and cite your sources.

The 2nd page has information about the resources in our library and how to find them using our catalog.

The 3rd page is a gateway to the Library's best online resources and web sites for the Veterinary Technician program, including some tutorials for these resources.

Let's get started!

https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-pomeranian-over-the-diagnostic-table-inside-a-clinic-6235116/

Evaluating information

Abraham Lincoln famously said you shouldn't believe everything you read online. And 82% of all statistics are made up.

There's a lot of misinformation out there. Digital literacy expert Mike Caulfield developed the SIFT method to help students evaluate information and make better decisions about what sources to trust:

Stop
Investigate the source
Find better coverage
Trace claims, quotes, and media to the original context

Here are more guides to help you evaluate sources of information:

Citing sources (APA style)

There are different styles for citing the sources you use in your assignments, but science and medical writing usually requires APA (American Psychological Association) style. The Purdue Online Writing Lab has an excellent guide to using APA style, with lots of examples:

You can also go straight to the source:

Our catalog and databases provide citations for the books, videos, and articles you find in them. Just look for a link that says Cite or Citation, then select APA style. It's easy to copy and paste citations into your bibliography!

Avoiding plagiarism

"Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, the use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment. It also includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials."

This definition of plagiarism comes from page 1 of DCTC's Student Code of Conduct. See how easy that was?

Citing your sources is an essential step in the research process. This allows others to verify your information and gives credit to previous researchers and writers for their hard work.

Writing help

The Center for Student Success offers tutoring to all DCTC students, including help with writing your paper and citing your sources. You can schedule an appointment by calling 651-423-8420 or visiting room 2-101.