1. Research Paper English 12 If we knew what we were doing
it wouldn't be called research.
-- Albert Einstein

2. Choosing a topic Make a list of ideas
Use an online idea generator or list of topics (these links available online)
Browse through a book or magazine in an area that interests you

3. What key words can you use to search for information?
Write 2-3 sentences about what you already know or think about your topic and underline the main words you use
Make a list of words and ideas related to your topic and alternative ways to identify your topic (for example, death penalty and capital punishment)
Use a Thesaurus to come up with alternative terms for your topic
Use a subject guide
Use Boolean operators
Keep a journal of search successes and failures

4. Ways to Access Information
Books -- search the SAHS Media Center collection (includes electronic books)
Databases -- access articles and other research data
Internet Search Engines -- try netTrekker

5. Tips for searching a database
Be sure to spell your search terms correctly
Think of several different terms you could use to search for the same topic
Use quotation marks “” around a multiple word phrase
Change the type of search as necessary -- keyword searches the entire document for your terms, subject searches the topic labels associated with documents, publication title limits a search to one newspaper or magazine, you may also be able to limit the date range that will be searched

6. General Tips DON’T PANIC!
Save all your work in one folder or notebook and do not use that folder or notebook for anything else
Talk about it!

7. More help available Check the Media Center website
Check the Senior Research Paper help page
Ask me!