The Fullerton College Library

Welcome to Library Research

Opposing Viewpoints A great “starting-off point” in your research paper. Articles give different views on a controversial topic.

Opposing Viewpoints Opposing Viewpoints is available online. The same articles that are found in the books can be found in a database. 1234

CQ Researcher Another good “starting-off point” for your research paper. Articles give different views on a controversial topic.

CQ Researcher CQ Researcher is available online. The same articles that are found in the books can be found in a database. 12

Research Methodology Start with a broad subject area. Gradually narrow the search down to a specific period, event, or topic. Use descriptive words or names when doing a database search.

Research Methodology World History American European African Asian American History American Revolution Westward Expansion American Civil War Gilded Age The American Civil War Emancipation Proclamation Military Strategy Search databases “American History” Search databases “American Civil War” Search databases “Emancipation Proclamation”

Research Methodology Look at the Index. Find subjects that interest you. Faster than reading the book from cover to cover!

Primary Sources Documents or recordings by someone who had direct knowledge of the events that took place. Diaries Accident reports Legal documents An Eyewitness… to a Car Accident

Secondary Sources An interpretation of information (events or accidents). Any work (print or online) that is of an interpretation of the actual events. Encyclopedias General articles in newspapers and magazines. A Police Investigator interpreting the eyewitness accounts for his report. A Car Accident

Welcome to Database Research

Database Basics Magazines General readership. Written by someone not an expert in that particular field of research. Colorful pictures and advertisements.

Books and Periodicals Peer-Reviewed Journals Write Review Publish This does not happen when websites are created! 1 2 3

What is a Database? A collection of articles that have been organized to be retrieved by a user. Databases may contain articles from periodicals, magazines, or newspapers. Search by subject or topic.

Database Basics Where is the article? An Abstract is a summary of the article, but is not the article itself!

Click the Full Text Box. Click the Scholarly (Peer-Reviewed) Box. Database Basics

Welcome to Evaluating Websites

Why Evaluate Websites? Websites should be not be viewed in the same way as a book or periodical. Anyone could post anything on the Internet, and not be accountable for their words or actions.

Who Created the Website? Can you contact the webmaster or owner of the website? –Look for a link to an “About Us” page. – , Phone Number, Fax Number, Mailing Address –The site should provide background info. on the site’s creator. 1

Who Created the Website? The creator should be knowledgeable. –Personal websites generally lack authority. –What is the website’s domain? –.com=Commercial Sites –.org=Non-profit Sites –Emotionally charged language lacks objectivity. 1

Are the Documents Accurate? From your experience, is the website making valid claims or arguments? –Know the true purpose of the website. –The site should show other points of view. –The site should not use emotionally charged language. 2

Are the Documents Accurate? From your experience, is the website making valid claims or arguments? –There should be footnotes, or cited sources on the website. –The sources should not be fabricated by the website’s creator. 2

Are the Documents Accurate? Other warning signs… –The site is not well written. –The site has spelling errors. 2

Is the Website a Commercial? Are you being asked to buy a product? –Flashy advertisements. –Have to purchase a product or service. –Something does not look right about what the website is asking from you. 3

How Current is the Website? Is the website current in the information they are providing? –Look for a copyright date on the site. –Look for a date when it was last updated. –Look for a date when the documents were written. –If any information is undated; don’t use! 4

Research Other Sites What do other websites say about it? –Try “Googling” the site. –What do websites, blogs or bulletin boards say about this site? 5