Research Help
IndexSteps in gathering informationWhere to find information.1- Using Boolean operators , truncation symbols, and wildcards2- Locating materials using the RCHS Media Center catalog
3- Using periodical indexes
4- Searching the Internet
5- Evaluating information
6- Using standard Citation formats for "works cited" page
Selected Internet links for class research projects
RESEARCH STRATEGYSteps in gathering information
1. Define your topic
Check general reference sources and encyclopedias for an overview of your subject. Determine what you know and what additional information you need to locate.2. List keywords
Think of keywords or main concepts that describe your topic. Identify synonyms or related terms to use in your search.3. Combine keywords
Use Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to expand or limit your search. Use truncation symbols and wildcards to retrieve terms with variant spellings or words having the same root word.4. Locate materials
Search the RCHS Media Center catalog by subject, keyword, author, or title for materials on your topic. Write down citations.5. Use periodical indexes to find magazine and newspaper articles.
Use MAS (Magazine Article Summaries), Newsfile NewsBank, and Readers' Guide. Look up keywords to find citations to articles. Consider the date of your topic when selecting an index to search. Write down citations.6. Search the Internet
Use keyword search tools or subject search tools to find sites related to your topic. Use Boolean operators to expand or limit your search. Write down the name, URL, and date for your citation. Remember, the Internet is not a site.7. Evaluate what you find
What is the authority for the author or publications found during your search? How valid and reliable is the information found? Does the information found expand what you already know or have found in other sources? Does it make a new point? Does it disagree with other information found?8. Use standard citation formats for your "works cited" page
After completing your paper or project, format your citations according to MLA standards.*Tips
Work from the general to the specific. Find background information first, then locate more specific and recent sources.Be organized. Keep track of what you have searched so you don't waste time looking in the same place twice.
Write down the citation information for all sources at the time you use them. Trying to locate missing citations later can be time-consuming and frustrating.
Ask a librarian for assistance when you get stuck!!!
RESEARCH CHECK LISTWhere to find information
As you do research for your project, be thorough. Depending on the assignment, you should be checking the following sources available in the RCHS Media Center.
Media Center Catalog
Do a subject search first. If this does not give you enough hits, try a keyword search. If known, check author or title.Reference Materials
While general reference materials will give you basic information on a topic, specialized reference materials may provide more information. For example, if you are looking for a science related topic, a science encyclopedia may be a better source than a general encyclopedia.Periodical Indexes
--EBSCOhost - Magazine Article Summaries FullTEXT Ultra-- This is one of the internet-delivered databases from EBSCOhost that indexes general interest and research magazines, some newspapers, and more. Many articles will be in full-text. A note indicates magazines held in this Media Center. Begin with a keyword search. Use Boolean operators and limiters to improve your search results.--Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature-- This is a print index to magazines. Search for your keywords. This index is especially useful when searching for information likely to be found in magazines more than seven years old. The Media Center has these indexes dating from 1959 through 1997.
--NewsBank InfoWeb - NewsBank Newsfile Collection - This is one of the internet-delivered databases from NewBank that provides full-text articles from newspapers, some magazines, and newswires. Begin with a keyword search. Use Boolean operators and limiters to improve your search results.
--NewsBank Reference Service Plus--This CD-ROM database indexes newspaper articles from mid-1989 to mid-1998. Every article is available on microfiche in the Media Center.
--Cover Story-- Covers from 1960-1989.
--National Geographic Index- Covers 1888-1980.
Internet
It provides RC255U with worldwide access to computer databases. You may search with a specific URL, use a keyword search tool, or use a subject search tool. Be sure to write down the name of the site, the URL, and the date. It can be difficult to repeat an Internet search at a later date and locate the same site. Students will need to have a signed Internet consent form on file to use this research tool.Specialized CDs
The library has several CD-ROM programs that are subject specific and may be helpful.Other locations to check-
Fossil Ridge--We have an excellent public library in Braidwood that has many materials not available at RCHS. Materials not available locally may be requested through the Heritage Trail Library System. All Reed-Custer students live within the library's service area and qualify for Fossil Ridge library cards.Other public libraries--Your Fossil Ridge library card may also be used at other public libraries in the area to borrow materials.
"HOW TO" BASICSThis information is intended to be quite brief, serving as a reminder on "how to" do research rather than a full-scale lesson.
1. Using Boolean operators, truncation, and wildcards
Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) allow keywords to be combined in order to improve search results. Notice that these operators should be capitalized. Also note, some internet search engines use other symbols (+ -) for these operators' functions.AND is used to narrow a search. In using the Boolean operator AND, the search would require all keywords linked with AND to be present in order to be included in the results. If one keyword appears, but not the other, this will not appear in the result list since the search specified both words were required. A search for cats AND dogs would produce results only if both animals were mentioned.
OR is used to broaden a search. In using the Boolean operator OR, the search would produce results having any or all of the keywords linked with OR. This type of search can produce many results. In that case, it's best to go back and narrow your search. A search for cats OR dogs would give results for cats, dogs, and cats plus dogs.
NOT is used to exclude keywords from a search. In using the Boolean operator NOT, the results would include the initial keywords only if the keyword excluded by the operator NOT does not appear. A search for cats NOT dogs would produce results that discussed cats, but if that source mentioned dogs, it would not be included in the results of this search.
Truncation is used to retrieve keywords having the same root word. Generally, an asterisk(*) is used as the truncation symbol and is placed at the end of the root word. For example, if cat* is typed, results would include cat, cats, catalog, caterpillar, catch, Catherine, and many other words beginning with cat as the root word. Be cautious when using truncation on a short root word since results can be unexpected. Truncation can be handy with plurals or different verb tenses. It can be a useful tool when used properly.
Wildcards are used to retrieve keywords with variant or uncertain spellings. Generally a question mark (?) is placed in the middle of the word. For example, mari?uana would produce results spelled marijuana and marihuana. Wom?n would locate woman and women. Just as in truncation, be cautious about using wildcards with short words. For example, m?n will give you man and men, but it will also give you many other words that begin with m and end with n since the question mark could represent more than one letter. Your results would also include motion, marathon, meridian, maintain, and many other possible words.
2. Locating materials using the Media Center catalog
The Media Center catalog allows materials to be searched by author, title, subject, or keyword. Once the materials is located in the catalog, check its availability, write down the call number and title, and go to correct location on shelves.3. Using periodical indexes
Periodical indexes are tools that help you locate magazine and newspaper articles.Indexes are available in the Media Center in print format and as Internet-delivered databases. Depending upon the index and your topic, search by keyword or subject. Selecting the appropriate index will be determined by the type of information you are seeking and the time frame related to that information. The Internet-delivered indexes are excellent sources of contemporary information because they cover articles appearing in recent magazines and newspapers as well as covering a number of previous years. When researching a subject that has a definite date related to it, keep that date in mind when considering the time frame of the database to be searched. If these match, you will likely find information.
Periodical Indexes available in the Media Center -
--EBSCOhost - MAS (Magazine Article Summaries) FullTEXT Ultra
Internet-delivered
Indexes general interest and research magazines, some newspapers, and more. Begin with a keyword search. Use Boolean operators, truncation, and limiters to improve your search results. Many articles in full-text. A note indicates magazines or microfiche held in this Media Center. Write down the citation, print marked list of articles, or print full-text if available.
--Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature
Print based
Search for your keyword in this magazine index. This index is especially useful when searching for information likely to be found in magazines more than five years old. The Media Center has these indexes dating from 1959 through 1997.
--NewsBank InfoWeb - Newsfile NewsFile Collection
Internet-delivered
This internet-delivered database provides full-text articles from newspapers, some magazines, and newswires. Begin with a keyword search. Use Boolean operators and limiters to improve your search results.
--NewsBank Reference Service Plus
CD-based, Microfiche
This CD-ROM database indexes newspaper articles beginning mid-1989 to mid-1998. Every article is available on microfiche in the Media Center.
4. Searching the Internet
Use keyword search tools or subject search tools to find sites related to your topic. Use Boolean operators to expand or limit your search. Check the Help screen for each search engine for specifics about searching techniques. Write down the site name, URL, and date. Remember, the Internet is not a site, it is a delivery method to reach sites.5. Evaluating information
What is the authority for the author or publications found during your search? How valid and reliable is the information found? Can you verify the information found by checking other sources?6. Using standard citation formats for "works cited" page
A Guide for Writing Research Papers, MLA DocumentationWriters' Workshop Bibliography Style Handbook (APA and MLA)
RESEARCH PATHFINDERSSelected Internet links for class research projects