Research
Before you begin research, please review this PowerPoint. There is valuable information about how and where to research.
What is a source ? Document that gives you information kinds of sources are: books, reference books, Internet websites, magazines, newspaper, interviews, etc. The Internet is a kind of source, but you may have 3 Internet sources, each website is a different source.
Here are kinds of sources with their source: Kind of sourceSource Book or Reference Book Individual book title EncyclopediaArticle of subject InternetIndividual website, article on website Magazine/ Newspaper Article found in a magazine/newspaper InterviewActual interview
What would it look like if… You were asked to have 3 different kinds of sources? You would need to have a source from three of the following: book, encyclopedia, Internet, magazine, newspaper or interview You were asked to have 3 sources from the Internet? You would need three different websites or articles off the Internet.
Primary vs. Secondary PRIMARY source Firsthand=straight from the horse’s mouth! What is usually referenced in research or texts. SECONDARY source Source that uses a source Like a quote within a quote If you want it to count towards your 3, you’ll need to make the secondary source a primary source
Example of Secondary Source In the textbook we read, on page 80, when Mario Pei is referenced as having estimated humans produce 700,000 different physical signs, that is the primary source. What is the secondary source? Secondary source= the textbook
Full Text vs. Abstract FULL TEXT Complete article Might need to click a “full text” button in the search to only get full text articles (Ebsco, Wilson) ABSTRACT Paragraph description of what the article is about Not the article
The following is the order to take when looking for your sources. Let’s begin our research!
FIRST SOURCE
Your first source should be a BOOK or Reference book. 1.Check the school library. 2.Check the city libraries. 3.Check Love (UNL) library. * These can all be accessed from the LHS media center website.
SECOND SOURCE
Your second source(s) should be found on Found on the LHS MC website There are several places you can go here. Explore them all.
Link to biographies Link to a list of official websites to reputable magazines
THIRD SOURCE
Your third source should be found on EBSCO. 1.LHS MC databases. 2.Click EBSCO link. 3.Click into the “Student Research Center”. 4.Type in your search words; make sure to check “full text”.
EBSCOhost is a good database in a database to go to for more advanced readers. These great databases include: –MAS Ultra School Edition –Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia –Health Source –Green File –AP Sources Do not forget to click FULL TEXT! EBSCO
FOURTH SOURCE
Your fourth source should be found on OPPOSING VIEWPOINTS. LHS MC databases. This is a great source for FULL TEXT articles out of magazines & journals, viewpoints, references, news, and even reliable websites.
FIFTH & SIXTH SOURCE
Your fifth and sixth source is your CHOICE. Any other online database found on the LHS MC website. –ABC Clio: American Govn’t, American History, Ancient History, Issues, US at War, World Geography, World History –CultureGrams –Daily Life (social history) –Gale Databases: Science Resource Center, Global Issues, History Resource Center –Grolier Online Encyclopedia –Oxford Online –Popular Culture Universe
Databases It is advised that you click around in the databases and get to know what they all provide.
SEVENTH SOURCE
Your seventh source is the INTERNET. Start by searching for credible sources. Yahoo and other main stream search engines will not necessarily list the most pertinent (important) sources first.
Internet There is a difference between a search engine and a website. What is this difference? Search engine: a website that helps you find websites that meet your needs EX: Yahoo & Google Website: an individual site EX: LHS MC, Aten’s, NFL
Internet search hints:
In Google’s advanced search: –Hit the “U.S. Government” link to search government sites. Great for statistics. –Hit the “Scholarly” link to search for less publicized articles. –(Linkdown) If you have a URL you like, put it in the box to find similar sites or sources that link to it. –
clusty.com It is a cluster search. It helps cut your research time in half.
Reading a search results page
Search tools QUOTES around words will produce a search for those EXACT words –EX: “radioactive effects” AND will produce a search that looks for BOTH keywords –EX: radioactive AND effects OR will produce a search that looks for either word ~ (tidle) before the word= synonyms If you don’t get results you want the first time, search with different words. Look for keywords in articles to use for another search. Google ignores common words in a search; like the, a, where, were, and Google isn’t case sensitive
Wikipedia Controversial Look up Lincoln, NE What is the average temperature in June and July? Not 75! Quick information, but find a RELIABLE source DO NOT USE IN YOUR SPEECH t.html