Although this topic was broached previously, I recently had another opportunity to peer at NCU'S library database offerings. Although adequate it was not nearly on par with those at such schools as Walden or Capella. In fact a friend attended NCU several years ago and it appears that their library database has not evolved and expanded from that time to the current as one would have expected. I believe that NCU offers a viable alternative to prospective students who are seeking a very flexible graduate education at moderate tuition rates (compared to several other major distance graduate degree programs). However it is my perspective that online graduate degree programs, which are obviously not inexpensive, should provide students with an comprehensive online library that should meet the majority of their research needs. Not to negate the special place NCU holds in the distance education market, but if three new office buildings costing millions of dollars can be erected to accomodate the growth of NCU, then there is really no rationale to justify the lack of significant expansion of their library databases.
Since you had an opportunity to see the NCU library database, specifically, what online library services do you think should be added to add a broader quality selection for students to use?
Some relevant additions could possibly include: 1) Disssertations and Theses Full-Text (proquest)- all downloads for no additional charge. 2) NetLibrary (in addition to Elibrary)- offers approximately 27,000 full textbooks. 3) Business Source PREMIER (Ebsco Host) 4) Academic Search Premier (Ebsco Host) 5) PsychArticles (Ebscohost)- for no additional charge 6) Psyc Books (Ebsco Host) 7) Sage Education, Psychology, Sociology Collections 8) Master File Premier (Ebscohost)
I think that NCU's resources will likely be enough for me but I won't rely on them for interlibrary loans and most dissertations. I can use my local State U. library for free and they have tons of resources for state residents. Also, my local library will get me cheaper interlibrary loan materials than NCU. For most, NCU's library may be enough to complete everything but the cost might be greater than if one had chosen Touro...still lower cost than any of the Fielding, Capella, or Walden type choices. I have talked with people that completed the NCU PhD and they say that NCU had adequate resources, and a few of these people are regular professors at brick and mortars today. When looking for dissertations people might want to contact the dissertation author directly for a copy. I have done this three times and was successful twice. They were very happy to help me. The third guy just did not respond to me. Bing
Students who are paying big bucks for an online distance graduate degree should expect first class comprehensive online library services. The library and its research resources are the backbone of such programs. They are pivotal to students' completion of their assignments and ability to engage and access relevant research necessary to successfully complete their dissertations. In addition, not all students have alternate or complementary library resources readily available or due to frequent traveling cannot make arrangements or have the time to visit external library systems. In fact many online degree programs market themselves on the basis that one can complete their degree program at any time of the day or night with the assistance of comprehensive research databases at the tip of their fingers. Futhermore, from what I have learned, NCU only has a part time librarian, approximately two times a week. With a student population of over two thousand and growing this appears to be insufficient to meet students' needs. In fact it appears that NCU needs to augment the number of library personnel significantly. Such measures will go a long way to attract more students and contribute to making their graduate education a more enjoyable and convienent experience.
It's not that they don't have library services available. Depending on the dissertation and research you do, you may be somewhat over the cost of even Touro if you go that route(you still will not be close to the others, though). Other NCU PhD alumni that I have chatted with have not spent tons on research materials there. It's a mixed bag. One guy told me he spent about 3800 on his research. That was over and above the cost of tuition there at NCU. Before looking at NCU you have to take a look at your research question. If you feel that the sources at NCU will allow you to do a thorough job on your dissertation then you might be in good shape. If your topic is a tougher area to research then it may be a good idea to look elsewhere where you can find cheaper sources to research. I'm thinking NCU isn't having too many problems with attracting new students. They don't even participate in the Title IV and still they get students and new mentors. It still represents a lower cost way to accomplish an RA PhD, DBA, or EdD. Nothing wrong with Touro either. One thing is that they do not offer concentration areas as does NCU or even the other popular distance programs do. Touro is supposed to allow one the privilege of getting FREE research materials via Touro College... so I have been told on this forum. Will that even be enough? Is Touro College a doctoral granting institution? I don't think so with regard to business, psychology, and education.
For you it's an easy one. If you find NCU insufficient and lacking such that they cannot help you with your goal then do not enroll. Keep in mind that many people already have completed NCU doctorates, though. There are many choices available to you in the world of distance doctoral education. Here are a few other RA schools to look at... Walden Fielding Touro University International Curtin University(Australia) University of Newcastle(Australia) Charles Sturt University(Australia) University of Leicester(UK) UNISA(South Africa) Capella Nova Southeastern Union Institute and many others You will be able to find info on all these schools on this forum. They have been discussed in detail.
The research libraries and resources are available Touro University student through its own online library services and full-time librarians, in addition to the brick and mortar library resources and services available at Touro College. Here are a few of the online libraries available to TUI students at no additional cost. >>> Library resources directly available to students through Touro University International's online own library services: *TUI Cyber Library (Includes a wide range of online library services, databases, grouped weblinks, research and reference materials. The Graduate Research and Dissertation Portal has additional links to scholarly research materials, journals and associations and journals.) *eBrary, *Net Library *ProQuest (ABI/INFORM Complete) *ProQuest Digital Dissertations (All dissertations – not just TUI’s) *EBSCOweb (Professional Development Collection) *JSTOR *ACM Digital *Science Direct *ERIC *PsycINFO *CINAHL *Britannica (full) *OVID *JAMA *Graduate Medical Research Collection *Medline >>> Additional library resources available to Touro Univeristy International students through Touro College: *Touro College Libraries (http://www.touro.edu/library/libindex.asp) Touro's libraries are included in Princeton University’s Research Library Group. The Touro Judaic library resources are very extensive and highly regarded by a number of large research schools. Touro and its branch campuses/divisions, including Touro University International and Touro University, CA/NV, also actively participate in the inter-library exchange program, which give students access to most major college and university libraries. In addition to its online libraries, Touro College also has at least 17 brick and mortar library facilities across 5 main campus locations and 27+ campus facilities that are available to Touro University students. Accordingly, the library services and research resources at, and available to, Touro University are quite extensive and adequate for level doctoral research. Tom
bing, My intention in raising this issue is NOT to focus on the limitations of NCU BUT to strengthen what I believe is their worthwhile doctoral programs. I am glad that you find their library resources adequate but I have heard from a friend who attended their doctoral program as well as several current students that it is not really sufficient. So there is a difference of perception regarding this subject. Obviously prospective students have many options for distance doctoral studies but in my book NCU is quite high in terms of what it offers. However, if more students would express their needs and expectations for excellent library services, rather than except the status quo, it is very possible that the administration would accomodate their needs. BTW, I have noticed that NCU's online bookstore charges quite a bit more for texts than they can be purchased for at Amazon.com. Just an observation.
When I was a student at Indiana U. I found that I could get better bargains on books at online sellers. I found that the same is sometimes true with NCU. Their seller, MBS Direct, seemed more expensive on one class there for me but the same on another one. Most students that have been around a while know that it pays to shop for books...at any school. If the majority of students are thinking that the library services offered are adequate then there is no reason to change. I am not to the point of a disseration with them yet, and I obviously have other services available. So, I am not likely one to make complaints about this area. However, I can tell you that I have made comments about other things and they have made changes for me. Are you a student at NCU? Have you told them what you think of the library system there? What was their response? Bing
I always surf the internet looking for the most inexpensive book. I've found $100 books for $5 or $10 that were almost as good as new.
I have no stake in www.textbooksnow.com. I have found them to be a good source for books in the past. I have often purchased books from them at a greatly reduced cost to other school bookstores.
Another good source for textbooks is: http://www.collegebooksdirect.com/ Sometimes they are cheaper than Amazon, sometimes they are not. I always shop around before buying.
Thanks. It's added to my database. It's amazing to find a $100 or a $120 dollar book for $5 or $10!!!! The internet is really changing the way college books are being sold. I'm sure the college bookstores hate it!!!
I've had a lot of success locating cheaper textbooks by simply typing ISBN: (ISBN number) on Google. It pulls up hundreds of valid hits. It takes a while to wade through them all, but there are some great bargains out there if you take the time to look. Dave
