Finding Appropriate Science Sources

 Before you do too much with the topic you have chosen, be sure to determine if there is enough research for you to use for the project.  This is important: the first section of your paper is your background research.

 There are several types of sources: ◦ Scientific journal articles ◦ Science news magazine articles ◦ Science websites Primary Research is preferred.

 When is it appropriate to use Wikipedia?  When is it NOT appropriate to use Wikipedia?  Would you ever cite Wikipedia in your research paper?

 These are journals with articles on research that have been peer-reviewed.  There is always an abstract written that can give you some information about the research to see if this is an article that will be useful to you.  College libraries usually have paper copies of these journals. Getting them on-line usually costs money.  Examples: New England Journal of Medicine, Science, Journal of Mechanical Engineering, Nature, etc.

 These are usually written by journalists and are a compilation of the research on a particular area.  A great way to find sources for primary research.  Examples: Discover, Science News, etc.

 These are either subject specific sites, sites for the journals/magazines, or sites put together by educators.  You need to determine the reputability of each site and whether it has had an opportunity to be peer reviewed.  Must be a.edu or a.gov  If you want to use a.com,.net, etc., you must get permission.  Examples: Hyperphysics (Georgia State); Vchembook (Elmhurst.edu)

 At the end of Wikipedia articles, there is a reference list.  Google Scholar  Other sites listed on my websitemy website

 Choose one topic – try to pick something related to your science fair topic. List this first on your paper.  Collect the following: 1. a primary research paper (from a science journal, which means that it should take about one person's or group's research and experiment) - an abstract of the article is acceptable. 2. a selection from a textbook/subject matter book (I have many to choose from) 3. a relevant Wikipedia entry

 Collect the following information for EACH source: ◦ two-three sentence summary of entry ◦ relevant value of the article/selection ◦ currentness (how old is the entry?) ◦ expected accuracy ◦ Determine if it is best for basic information to get you started on scientific research or one that should be cited in your research paper because it is a primary source. Provide an explanation for your choice. ◦ The citation information for each selection.

CITATION INFORMATION 1. Journal article: author(s), title, journal name; year, volume, page numbers 2. Textbook article: author(s), textbook name; publisher name and city where published, copyright date 3. Wikipedia article: author(s), title of entry, last date entry was changed, website name, date accessed from internet

 Provide a copy of the first page of each selection. ◦ the journal article first page or the abstract ◦ a copied page from the textbook reading ◦ the first page of the Wikipedia entry

HOW TO TURN IT IN: - Start with the topic at top of paper. - Attach the answers to the statements/ questions for EACH article on a piece of paper to the front of the corresponding reading selection. Finish with the citation - Staple them in the order of 1.) journal; 2.) textbook; and 3.) Wikipedia.

 All on Same Topic:0 or 10 points  Journal article 0 or 5 points for each area ◦ Summary / relevance / currentness / Accuracy / info type / citation  Textbook article 0 or 5 points for each area ◦ Summary / relevance / currentness / Accuracy / info type / citation  Wikipedia article 0 or 5 points for each area ◦ Summary / relevance / currentness / Accuracy / info type / citation