“How Can Research Help Me?”

Please make SURE your notes are similar to what I have

written in mine

KEY IDEA – Researching a topic is a complex process that involves using several sources to find many—sometimes conflicting—facts and opinions.

Additionally, research requires you to evaluate the sources you find.

Although we already know what our topic is, in general, you should first write down your goals for research – what, specifically, do you want to find? The more specific your topic is, the easier it will be to research. After narrowing your focus, ask research questions about it. This type of question cannot be answered with just a yes or no: It requires a thoughtful answer.

Using the research question, highlight the keywords, which are words that clearly identify your topic. This is what you will use to search the library, databases, and internet.

Try writing a few research questions based on your topic, then underline a keyword from your questions:

Searching the Internet

The Internet is a system of connected computers that lead users to billions of web pages filled with information. A search engine is a website that organizes that information based on keywords, popularity, and other criteria. To get the best results in a search, be as specific as possible.

List the three search modifiers/limiters described for you in the text and summarize each of them:

1. quotation marks – put related words together in quotation marks; this will give you results that mention both terms in that order (ex. “thunder storms” will give all results with both these terms exactly like this listed in them)

2. combine terms – using the term AND or a + to combine terms or phrases; this will give results that contain all of those terms (ex. “thunder storms” + tornadoes will give all results for thunder storms that include tornadoes)

3. exclude terms – by typing the word NOT or a – sign into a search, you can find results that do not include the term after the minus sign (ex. “thunder storms” – lightning will give all results for thunder storms that do not talk about lightning)

To evaluate your search engine results:

1. Don’t click on the first result – it may not be right for you.

2. Focus first on the web address Based on the text information,

which of the following addresses sounds the most reliable? Why? .net/.org are more reliable because they are usually the work of government agencies, whereas the .com or .net sites are usually personal or commercial sites

3. Read the description 4. Read the page

“Explore a Website”

1. home page – main page of a web site; welcomes you to the site and gives overview

2. menu – shows the main categories of information on a web site

3. hyperlink (or link) – underlined/highlighted terms, words, web addresses, or web site names that move user to another site

4. credits – tell who produced the site, when it was created, when it was last updated; helps you evaluate the site for accuracy

5. sponsor – organization, individual, or agency that owns the site and controls its content; helps you evaluate the site for accuracy

Using Library Resources

Books – depending on topic, these can provide a wealth of factual information

Reference – includes dictionaries, thesauruses, almanacs, and encyclopedias that can all provide overviews or general additional information

Newspapers and periodicals – can give firsthand accounts of past events that might not be available otherwise

Audio/Video resources – documentaries, interviews, audio recordings, and instructional films can all provide further information and resources for your topic

E-resources – these databases can also provide articles unavailable anywhere else

What is a primary source? Give one example.

materials written or created by people who took part in or witnessed the events they recordedex. autobiographies, public documents, advertisements, speeches, letters, emails, diaries, journals, editorials, cartoons, first person newspaper and magazine articles

List a benefit and drawback of a primary source.

• Benefit: supply interesting firsthand information and details

• Drawback: may be biased because they give just one person’s limited point of view; may require special knowledge to interpret (ex. different language)

What is a secondary source? Give one example.

records of events created by people who were not directly involved in or present at events;ex. textbooks, encyclopedias, reviews, documentaries, most history books, biographies, third person magazine and newspaper articles

List a benefit and a drawback of a secondary source.

• Benefit: provide an overview or a broad understanding; often synthesize many points of view

• Drawback: may be biased; are only as reliable as the primary sources on which they are based and the accuracy of the writer gathering the information

List the four types of reference works below.

1. Encyclopedia2. Dictionary3. Almanac4. Atlas

A database is an online, organized collection of information that may focus on one subject or publication. Though they often require paid subscriptions, they also provide valuable information. You may need to access them through the school or library. Examples of popular online databases are EbscoHost and Lexus Nexus.

“Evaluate a Website”

-Who created the site?-Why was the site created?-Are there problems with the site?-Are there credits?-Could you consult a more reliable

source to find coverage of the same topic?

“Evaluate a Nonfiction Book”

-What is the copyright date?-Is the book carefully researched?-Who is the author?