Argumentative Research

Where Do I Find Information?

Newspapers Magazines Scholarly Journals Books Databases

Newspapers Newspapers are often the first place we see an issue mentioned. We can read newspapers in print form. We can read newspapers online.

Magazines and Journals Magazines Time US News & World Report Newsweek Journals American Journal of Nursing JPT: The Journal of Petroleum Technology

Books Contain background information. May show trends in discussion. May be specific to a topic. In print. As eBooks.

Finding Books Go to the KC Library web site at Click on the tab for Catalog Enter your term(s) Search Review the results

Under the tab for Catalog, enter search terms in the search box. Search

Review the results

The Call Number tells you where to find the book on the shelf Call Number

eBooks Electronic format Can be viewed from any computer connected to the Internet Use the Search box the same way you would use an Index in the back of a print book

eBooks: Click on eBooks under Find Books Click here

Click on the ebooks icon Click the icon

Enter your search terms. Be sure to click on the box for Full Text. Enter search terms C

Click on Full Text to view the book Click here

Click on Search within Click here

Enter your search terms Enter search terms

Click on a page number to go to that page

Don’t forget the citation information! English students must create their citations using The Little, Brown Compact Handbook. Other classes may be allowed to use the Cite feature. Ask your instructor which format is required for use in your class.

English: Click on Contents, then Detailed Record Click here

English: Use the Detailed Record to create your citation

Other: Click on the Cite icon

Other: Scroll down to the designated format. Copy and paste to your citations page

Why should I use a database instead of the Internet?

Databases Anyone can create an Internet site. Internet sites are not always reliable. Databases contain information from reliable sources. Databases contain accurate information.

Databases

Use the drop down box under the Databases tab to select a database

Enter your search terms Enter search terms Click this box

Databases If your search terms are more than one word, try placing them in quotation marks so the database will search for the terms as a phrase: “gun control” Or, try a phrase and another term: “gun control” AND crime

Review the results Click on Full Text to read the article.

Click Full Text to view the article

Read

Click on Detailed Record or Cite to get the citation information English classes Other classes

English: Detailed Record

Other: Citation Format

To keep the article: Print it out Save it to a flash drive Send it to your Remember: Be sure you get all of the information you will need for the bibliography (Works Cited)!

Opposing Viewpoints This database is excellent for research because it gives articles on more than one side of an issue. In any argument, you need to know what the opposition thinks, so that you can be prepared to counter their points.

Select Opposing Viewpoints

Opposing Viewpoints

Select a Topic

Or, enter a topic in the Search box Enter search terms

Review the results

Click on a subject area to bring up a list of articles Click here

Click on a Title to read the article

Read

Citation information is at the bottom of the page

Or, Click on Citation Tools Click here

Download Click here

Citation *Whether or not you include the URL will be up your instructor.

The Little, Brown Compact Handbook Just because the database says the citation it provides is in MLA format does not mean it is correct. Check everything against what is in The Little, Brown Compact Handbook (LBH). If it doesn’t agree with what is in the LBH, it will be counted off on your grade.

For more help Ask-A-Librarian: reference service Call the Library: Ask any librarian at the KC Library

Good Luck!