RES+Gathering

Step Three: How do I begin my research?
Locate Your Sources [|BHS Library Catalog]It has information about every book the library contains and gives its location. Also, collection of ebooks which are accessible from home. BHS Subscription Databases (for use outside of library, see librarian for passwords) The information found in electronic reference databases is considered to be reliable. Reputable publishers receive their information from experts and verify facts rigorously. Most databases provide interactive features and media, such as videos, sounds, images, and animations, in addition to text. [|Brookline Public Library] [|Boston Public Library]
 * Use the questions, keywords, and list of sources you created in Step Two to help you locate your sources. **
 * Start looking in the following places (use your keywords in the search boxes): **

**Tips for Searching on the Internet** [|Tips for searching Google] [|Boolean Logic]

** Skim and Scan Your Sources ** Once a source is in your hand, skim and scan each it to determine if it will be helpful. ([|Things to look for].) Ask yourself if it looks like this source will be useful in answering your research questions. Can you understand the information? If you answer yes, then create a complete citation for this source. If the answer is no, still jot down the title in case you need to refer back it.

Getting the Most Out of a Source
To make full use of a reference work, take time to familiarize yourself with its organization before you plunge in to search for information. See if the book or Web site has an introductory section on how to use the work, a key to abbreviations, or similar helpful information. Consult the table of contents to get an idea of what the reference work covers and how the material is organized. The table of contents lists chapter titles and such features as illustrations and maps. Do not neglect to check any material that appears in the front and back of the book. An introduction and author's foreword can have valuable information. Appendixes may include charts, tables, the text of documents, and author's notes. Lists of sources can provide you with titles of additional books or Web sites to check. When you are ready to find specific information, turn to the index or search feature. This offers quicker access to information in the book or Web site than the table of contents. Most reference books have one general index, which lists proper names, titles, and topics together. Some works have several indexes—for example, an author index, a title index, and a subject index. Some Web sites offer more than one method of searching. Always check the index or search feature to find out where the information you want is provided. After you have located the proper pages, skim the text quickly to see if it has the information you need. Look at any headings; the first, or topic, sentence of each paragraph; and concluding summaries. This method should help you spot main ideas. If the source has useful information, read the text carefully and take notes. (World Book Student)

[|Son of Citation Machine] NoodleBib
 * Create Bibliographic Citations for Your Sources **
 * Online Tools to Create a Citation **- BHS uses the MLA format

** Evaluate Your Sources **

Now you need to determine the relevancy of the sources you use to help you decide what books and articles will best support your topic. A well-defined topic is important. You will eliminate a number of irrelevant materials by having a clear idea of what you need. Once you have a list of your sources, you will need to evaluate what you have found. There are five criteria you need to consider in evaluating information sources:


 * 1. Authority**
 * Can you identify the author of the article or book?
 * Is the author an expert in the field?
 * Is the source an acknowledged authority?
 * Can you identify the publisher?
 * If so, is this a well-respected or well-known publishing house for the topic being searched?
 * 2. Accuracy**
 * Are the sources for factual information given so they can be verified?
 * Is the information correct?
 * Are there inconsistencies in the information, particularly statistical data?
 * 3. Objectivity**
 * Is the presentation objective?
 * Or is the viewpoint biased?
 * 4. Currency**
 * Is the material up-to-date?
 * 5. Coverage**
 * Is the information presented complete?
 * Or is data missing?

Sometimes answers to these questions are obvious. For example, a study of the tobacco industry by a tobacco company might be slanted and biased and thus not objective. You can consult biographical indexes and dictionaries, book reviews, and other materials to assist you in evaluating sources.

If your are planning to use a website, put it to the test. BHS Web Evaluation Sheet

Reading URLs [|Put Your Website to the Test] [|Quick]
 * Tutorials on Web Evaluation**

Much of what you find on your topic on the free web will be repetitious. Avoid using sources with the same information.

** Read and Take Notes ** **See Social Study Handbook for methods of notetaking.** You need to keep a record of all the materials you use. Write down the complete citation, including the author, title, publication date, page numbers, and other information. Accurate citing of sources is very important. It is also important when taking notes that if you copy passages from books or articles word-for-word, that you put these passages in quotation marks. This way you will avoid unintentional plagiarism. Be selective when taking notes. Only write down information that will be useful in answering your research questions. Remember to include the page number or web address for all the information you collect. When taking notes, make sure you use quotations when copying text word for word.

**Plagiarism** Make sure you give credit where credit is due. Sources are cited for three reasons. One is to give credit to the author's ideas or words you used, and the other is to allow the reader to check where you obtained your information from so they can check your research and follow up on the sources you used.

Keeping track of your sources will help you avoid plagiarism, help you find where you obtained your information from, and help you create your bibliography for your research project.

[|Tutorial on Plagiarism]
 * Once you have looked at and taken notes from a variety of sources, you are ready to move on to [|Step Four],** **Refine and Continue Your Research.**