Research TipsHow to conduct research involving print and online materials.

Why Learn Research Skills?

Research skills are learned Any learned skill requires practice

Thus, research skills need to be practiced in order to become proficient.

The ability to conduct quality research makes a person an independent learner. The ultimate goal of education is to become an independent

learner.

Tips on Search Terms

Here are some ideas that may help. Search term tips

Start with a broad term (Example: Montgomery Bus Boycott)

If you get too much information, begin to narrow your search terms. (Example: Rosa Parks)

If your search begins to get too narrow you can always go back to the last term you searched. (Example: Rosa Parks in American Literature too narrow / Go back to Rosa Parks)

Locating Research Materials at THS

Go to the Thompson High Webpage Under Intellectual click on Destiny Catalog

Click on Thompson High

To conduct online research use the links on the main page.

To conduct a search of print materials in our library, click on the catalog tab and search Destiny for print materials.

Destiny

Let Me Show You What I am Talking About

Getting What You Need

Once you find a book you want you probably don’t have time to read the whole thing. Use the Table of Contents or Index to find what you need

Take notes on the information from the book that pertains to what you are researching.

Use the citation format required by your teacher.

Make sure to write down the name of the book and the page(s) on which you found information. You may want to use that book again.

Getting What You Need

Remember Take notes from the books that you use

Make sure to keep track of where your information came from

Keep your information organized

YOU CAN USE THE PUBLIC LIBRARY (ALABASTER OR PELHAM) They have resources also.

Don’t forget to use Reference Books such as encyclopedias.

Locating Online Information

Don’t become bogged down with “Information Overload.” Stay focused on your topic

Quickly move away from websites and sources that don’t help with your research.

Don’t waste time looking for information on untrustworthy sites such as Wikipedia.

Remember to narrow your focus until you get the information you are looking for

Citation Machines

The End