GETTING STARTED

1.  Task Definition - understand what the assignment is asking for.  When is it due?  How long does it have to be?  How many sources do you need?  Do you need print and electronic sources?  Ask your teacher lots of clarification questions before you get started. 

2.  Preliminary Research - do a bit of general reading about your topic to become more familiar with it.  Pick up an encyclopedia or use an online encyclopedia to get a general overview. 

3.  Brainstorm Keywords - make up a list of keywords that are similar to your topic or are related to the topic.  Searching these words will give you more information than just searching the topic word(s) alone. 

4. Search for Books - use the iPac to identify any books on the topic held here at CB West.  If you start your research early enough, you can use the links on the Catalogs page to search the local public library system and the AccessPA statewide catalog for books that may be further away.  If you request an ILL for a book in Pittsburgh, it may take 2 weeks to get here.  This is just one reason why it's important to NOT wait until the last minute.

5.  Search through Electronic Databases - use the Electronic Databases link to search through quality academic magazines and books for your topic.  Use eLibrary, the InfoTrac Student Resource Center, Opposing Viewpoints, and the dozens of databases on the POWER Library link. 

6.  Document your Sources - don't forget to record the sources you consult and cite for your bibliography.  Use our MLA Style Sheet link for specific examples.

EVALUATING WEBSITES

Beware the World Wide Web!!!  Just because you find it on the internet, doesn't make it true and trustworthy.  There's a lot more bad websites out there than there are good; that's why you are better off using books and databases for your research needs.  That being said, there are good websites out there, you just have to be able to distinguish the good from the bad.

When searching the web, you should take a critical look at the website you are thinking of using for your research paper.  Ask yourself some key questions like "Who created this?"  "What is their area of expertise?"  "Do they cover the topic objectively, or are they biased?"  "How recent is their info?"

The "Alphabet Guide" below is a good guideline to follow to determine the quality of the website.  If you can't find the answers to some of the questions below, AVOID using the site.  There are other places you can go to look for information.  If you have any further questions, ask Ms. Graney or your teacher.

THE ALPHABET GUIDE TO EVALUATING WEBSITES

A = AUTHORITY

·        Can you find an author for the website?  Is there contact information for the author?

·        Does this person list his/her credentials? 

·        Are they an authoritative source?  (Do they have an advanced degree or proof of expertise?)

·        What is the domain name of the website (.org, .net, .edu, .gov, .com)?  Is it someone’s personal website?

B = BIAS

·        Does the information on the site appear to be one-sided (all negative or all positive)?

·        Does the website try to show a balanced view of both sides of an issue?

·        Does the website include slurs or inappropriate language when referring to the subject?

·        Does the site contain more opinion than fact?

C = CONTENT

·        Does the site cover the content comprehensively?

·        Are there obvious errors in the content, or spelling & grammatical mistakes?

·        Is the information at your comprehension level or is it too easy or too difficult?

·        Does the site leave you with lots of unanswered questions?

D = DATE

·        When was the website created?  Is there a date?

·        Is the website regularly updated?  When was the last update?

·        Is the information out of date or irrelevant?

E = EASE OF USE

·        Is the website easy to navigate?

·        Do all of the links work?

·        Is the website neat and organized or scattered and haphazard?

·        Can you easily link from one page to another?

Alphabet Guide © Colleen Graney, 2003.

CENTRAL BUCKS GUIDELINES FOR WRITING RESEARCH PAPERS

Did you lose your Research Paper Guidelines?  Click HERE for access to the handbook online. 

MLA BIBLIOGRAPHY

Always, always, always document your sources.  If your teacher wants a bibliography, chances are excellent s/he wants it in the correct MLA format.  Click HERE for a guideline of how to correctly cite sources in MLA format.