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Burris 7th/8th Grade Honors English: Research Paper

Resources for finding sources for Mrs. Koch's English class

How to do this "research" thing?

Doing research can be intimidating and confusing!

Here are some basic steps you'll want to take:

  • Consider where you want to search for information
  • Consider how you should search in that resource
  • Search
  • Look at what you retrieve
  • Revise your search
  • Search - Look - Revise (etc.)
  • Evaluate

And make sure to cite where you got your information!

Comparing Library Databases with Google

There are so many sources of information these days!  While we use Google to search the Open Web all the time for simple sources of information (hours a store is open, recipes, etc.), Google has real drawbacks when it comes to searching for information for academic purposes.   Library research databases have distinct advantages that make them the more reliable, authoritative, and efficient choice when looking for sources to use in a research paper.

Here's a comparison:

Databases Google
Types of information Magazines, journals, newspapers, essays, videos, maps Various websites, pages, and media from all over the world
Review process Information has been checked for reliability and accuracy by the publisher's editors Spotty.  No review process is guaranteed.  Anyone can publish.  No quality control.
Updated Regularly Unknown.  Varies widely.  Includes 'dead' links.
Cost Library pays a fee; YOU have access as a library member! Free
Uses First stop for research Entertainment, current news, social media, shopping, surfing

 

From McMaster University Library.