Paper due?
Use this guide to help you do research--the California Way
Step 1: Search smarter.
Smart searching starts with your search terms.
1. State your topic as a question.
2. Identify the key concepts or words in your question.
3. Identify related words.
The more specific you are, the faster and easier it will be to find what you are
looking for.
If using your key words does not produce enough information—or the right kind—
try using some related words.
Examples:
Questions
Key words
Related Words
What effect does alcohol
abuse have on college
students?
Alcohol abuse,
college students
Alcoholism, binge
drinking, young adults
What are the consumer
risks of online shopping?
Consumer risks,
online shopping
Internet selling,
electronic commerce,
data encryption
Does globalization lower Globalization,
workers' wages and export workers, wages,
jobs?
jobs
International economic
relations, labor
Tools
Just as some websites are better than others, so are some search engines.
Google is considered highly reliable, but it is only one of many. Try
Yahoo!, Ask.com or Vivisimo.
Also check out subject directories. These are organized by key words and
make it easy to find information on related topics
For easy-to-find informaton you can trust, check out:
Librarians’ Internet Index (lii.org): Quality is not an issue here because
librarians have evaluated all the sites listed. The subject directory provides
lots of keywords and searching tools.
Internet Public Library (ipl.org): Everything you need to ace your paper, including
encyclopedias and other reference works, links to subject areas from A-Z, books
you can read online, science fair and other special collections. A “Teen Space”
provides homework tips, a guide to graphic novels and other useful info.
Tip: Be sure to evaluate information you find to make sure that it is accurate,
complete and unbiased. Check the source and most recent date updated.
Consider this:
Computers Don't Give You What You Want —
They Only Give You What You Ask For.
—Carla List, Plattsburgh State University, New York
Step 2: Go beyond the Web.
Trust us. Sometimes books are better than online resources—especially
when it comes to history or a specific perspective.
The best and easiest place to look for books is the library. Libraries have
many more books and resources than bookstores or the Internet. Almost
all have computerized catalogs that can be searched from your home or
dorm room 24/7.
Search the library catalog using your key words, or by author, title, journal
or newspper title. You also can find out whether the book is on the shelf
and/or place a reserve.
Where to look
California Libraries Catalog: A one-stop shop for finding resources owned
by California libraries. All the state’s public, law and academic libraries are
listed on a map with a link to their websites.
Worldcat.org: Is the world’s info champion with books, photographs, and
other items in libraries throughout the world. Just type in the author, title or
key words, then use your zip code to see if what you want is in a nearby
library.
Google Book Search: When you enter your zipcode, you’ll get the name of
the nearest library that owns the title. You can use the regular Google but
you’ll need to use the term “Find in a Library” plus the author or title.
Yahoo!: Add the “Search Libraries” toolbar to your browser.
Tip: Check your library’s website for open hours and contact info to save
time.
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Step 3: Get more and better info.
There’s a lot more online than what’s available on the Web. Many of these
resources charge a fee, and you have to know where to find them. But if you have
a library card, you can often use them for free on your library’s website.
Encyclopedias
Articles in encyclopedias can help you refine your topic and focus your
research. Wikipedia is a great place to start. Most libraries have online
versions of print encyclopedias, as well as directories, almanacs and other
frequently used reference sources.
Articles/Databases
Most libraries have online research collections. Known as databases, these
resources include periodicals (popular magazines, newspapers,
professional and scholarly journals, related to particular disciplines, e.g.
Engineering, History or Medicine, that you can read online.
Google Scholar is a great place to get citations (name of articles, periodical,
date of publication, etc) or find abstracts (summaries) of articles. Use the
same search terms you used before. To read the full article, check to see if
your library has the publication in paper or in electronic format. Some
libraries will fax you the article.
Google News
Good for checking up-to-the-minute developments, this search engine
includes many national and major city newspapers (but not some of the
biggies like the New York Times.
Your library will have print copies of local and other newspapers. Check to
see if it also has online versions. You also can check microfilm and backfiles for historical perspectives.
Ebooks and E-AV:
Names like Overdrive, NetLibrary, or Recorded Books in your library’s
catalog indicate a collection of electronic books. E-books usually allow fulltext searching by key word. Google Book Search lets you see full text of
ebooks when you select the “Full View Books” button.
Digital Stuff
Some libraries are digitizing local photographs, historical records and
other unique items. If your research has to do with your local area or its
history, be sure to see if your library has a digital archive. A great place to
start is the Calisphere, many libraries add their stuff to this terrific digital
database.
Tip: As you read and research, you may identify additional topics that are
relevant. Search for further information using these new key words.
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Step 4: Get help—Ask a librarian.
Librarians are information detectives. They are trained to track down information
in all formats. And there’s nothing they like better than helping people find what
they need—that includes you. So go ahead and ask for help. It will save you time
and energy. And your questions are safe with them—librarians respect
confidentiality.
Tip: Ask a librarian for help without leaving home. Check your library’s homepage
to see if they offer online email or “AskNow” reference service. You can also ask
questions at the Internet Public Library.
Step 5: Cite your sources.
“A” papers include citations telling where you got your information— the
title, who created the information, the date and where it was located (a
website, book or magazine).
For the correct form to use, see the Modern Language Association's Style
Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing (check for a copy at your local
library or look at the Modern Language Association's Web site).
Tip: Find good examples of citations at the Oregon School Library Info
System site.
Thanks to:
Califa Library Group
Pat Ragains, University of Nevada Reno.
The California Libraries Catalog project is supported in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library
Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State
Librarian.
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