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Get off-campus access to online resources
Many of our online resources are available only to on-campus users at DCTC or to off-campus users with a current, activated DCTC ID card and no blocks on their account. When you try to access these resources from off campus, you'll get a form that asks for your barcode and password.
Your barcode is the 14-digit number on the back of your valid, activated DCTC ID card (not the 8-digit number on the front of the card). Your password is your last name in lowercase letters.
Please visit the DCTC Library or contact us if you have any questions or need to activate your card. If you have ever checked out items from the DCTC Library, your card is already activated.
If you are currently enrolled at DCTC but are unable to obtain an ID card, contact us and request your Aleph Patron ID, which you can use instead of a barcode.
Plan ahead
It doesn't hurt to do a little planning before you start. If your instructor hasn't already given you a timeline for completing different stages of your research project, check out the Research Project Calculator:
This tool is funded jointly by MINITEX and MnLINK. Just choose an assignment format (essay, for example) and enter your assignment's due date, and the Research Project Calculator will give you a schedule for completing different stages of your research.
Know your research topic
How much do you already know about your research topic? If the answer is not much, it can be helpful to get a little background knowledge on your topic before you dive directly into your research.
Your instructor may not let you count them as sources, but databases like Science Online and encyclopedias like World Book are great resources for improving your background knowledge on almost any topic. These resources also frequently provide graphics and videos, which you can use to liven up your paper or a presentation on your research.
- Science Online tutorial
- World Book Advanced Flash tutorial from World Book
If you need to pick a research topic on a controversial issue or a current event, take a look at our Current events & social issues resources for some ideas.