What exactly is a Pathfinder?

• Document used to compile resources • Helps with researching a specific topic• Directs others to USEFUL information

Click on the ? next to a

section to find out more

information about it and directions on

how to complete it. Or

just click through the

slide show like normal.

Pathfinder Topic

• Type in the topic you will be researching.• Brief• Specific

Example: Sinking of the Titanic

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This pathfinder will be useful in finding information about fill in topic

information.

• What are you researching? What’s the point?

• Be specific!

Example: This pathfinder will be useful in finding information

about the sinking of the Titanic, an ‘unsinkable’ luxury ocean liner.

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Search Terms

• What ‘terms’ would you type into the computer to find what you are looking for?

• Be specific!

Example:TitanicTitanic, sinkingTitanic, sinking, cause(s)

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You don’t need to put:

•AND, it’s understood in search

engines.

•The, of, a, an…

Call Number (Dewey Decimal)

• Where would you look in the library for books on your topic?

• HINT: Use Destiny to figure this out.• HINT2: No, you will not use ANY of the

following:– FIC– GN– SC

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Example:•910-Titanic

These are fiction=NOT true!}

For an introduction to the topic, see:Encyclopedia, "Article Title"

• Find a good background information article in an encyclopedia.– World Book (the actual encyclopedia…books)– World Book Student(CVL)– Grolier (CVL)

Example:World Book Student, “Titanic”

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If you are super handy

with a computer, you can

hyperlink the article to

your pathfinder.

Books

Book Title in italics, by Author (Copyright Date)

• Use Destiny or CobbCat to find books that you could actually use for researching this topic.

Example:Titanic, by Simon Adams (2004)Inside the Titanic, by Hugh Brewster (1997)

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Articles"Article Title," by Author. Magazine Name in italics (Date of magazine issue) If you found this article on

the web, include the CVL resource name.• Use CVL to find articles that that you could

actually use for researching this topic.– GALE Student Research Center– Opposing Viewpoints– SIRS Research Center

Example:“Mysteries of the Titanic”, by Stephen Cox. Liberty (1997) SIRS Researcher.

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If you are super handy

with a computer, you can

hyperlink the article to

your pathfinder.

Web PagesWeb page title

Web page address [include http://]

• Use CVL to find websites that that you could actually use for researching this topic.– NetTrekker– Destiny Webpath Express

Example:The Weak Link of the Titanic

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/04/14/science/041308Titanic_index.html

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CVL Databases (Delete the ones that don’t help with your

topic.)

• Open the links and see if any of them contain information that would help you with your assignment.

• If not, delete the link.• If so, keep it.

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Library Catalogs

• You don’t really have to do anything to this section.

• Use the links to access the resources at McClure’s Media Center and the Cobb County Public Library.

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How to Hyperlink

• Copy the web address.• Highlight and right click where you want to

put the link.• Select Hyperlink.• Right click and paste the web address into the

Address: section on the box.• Click OK.

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