To find the reference/print material in the library you will use the Library's OPAC.
 |
|
Before you use OPAC you should make a list of all the keywords you could use in researching your subject. |
Remember: When doing research you need to look at the second page of cataloging and review the "notes" section of the page to find out information about the book. Also use the "subject" section of the page and look at the subject headings listed for the book. Using these subject headings is an excellent way to narrow or broaden your subject search. It can also provide you with additional keywords to use in searching for your topic. Use your bookbag while doing research using OPAC. It helps keep your research on track, provides you bibliographic information for your project, and will save you time in locating information in the library.
Be sure to check out the Reference Section of the library first for specialized encyclopedias, dictionaries, atlases and almanacs to start your project.
Teacher/Library Research Projects
Please visit this page whenever you are doing a project. Click on your teachers' name to find the resources for your class assignment.
Whenever you start a research or classroom project it is important to plan how you want to accomplish your mission. There are many ways to achieve your goal of an A+ project, but there are also a lot of obstacles in your path.
One of the obstacles is not being sure if you can trust the information in a web site or not understanding if the information is relevant to your project.
Knowing how to find and evaluate information is a valuable skill and is an essential part of the research process. The skill is called Information Literacy.
At Marina High School we recommend the Big 6 and COWS information literacy models for student research. If you make a habit of following these methods, you will successfully navigate the Internet and not be fooled by false information or overwhelmed by the amount of knowledge available on the Internet.
The Big Six Information Literacy Model
The "Big6 T" is copyrighted © (1987) by Michael B. Eisenberg and Robert E. Berkowitz. For more information, visit: www.big6.com
The six steps that guide you through the research process are:
-
Task Definition (A good way to get started! If you need to learn what questions to ask Click Here. )
-
Information Seeking Strategies
-
Location & Access (You need to make a list of keywords for this step, here is an excellent graphic organizer you can download and use.)
-
Use of Information
-
Synthesis
-
Evaluation
There is an excellent Assignment Organizer© (1999) and Research Paper Organizer© (1999) for the Big 6. These Organizers can be printed out or downloaded to a disk to be completed (you can type the information you need in the blanks). Using these organizers will keep your research steps in order and on track. To help you in coming up with the questions you need to answer to prepare a great project check out "Have you Asked a Good Question Today? "and "Asking Essential Questions." There is a worksheet you can print out to help you form your questions.
Cows Information Literacy Model
When doing research remember the word "COWS" as it will help you in being successful and organized in your search. Look for your resources in this order.
C = 
When doing research, always start with current reference books, textbooks and non-fiction library books. Learn some basic information about your subject and start a list of "keywords" you can use to gain more information on your topic. Use the library's OPAC to check your resources.
O = 
Use these resources every day! Our online resources are: The Gale Group (Student Resource Center (SRC)--Gold, SRC--Health Module, Student Edition, Opposing Viewpoints,and Gale Virtual Reference Library).
Username: hunt45365
Password: HUNT45365
Encyclopædia Britannica Online: School Edition
Username: hbuhsd
Password: surfcity
World Geography Online
Username: vikings1
Password: govikings
and
Web Feet
Borrower's ID: hunt45365
These are password protected databases that you can access 24/7 from school or home. Get the URLs, usernames and passwords from the librarian. They work like a search engine but contain information that is not available for free on the World wide Web. College students use similar databases for their research projects.
W = 
(Pre-selected web sites)
A webliography is similar to a bibliography only it's on the web. These are web sites that have been selected by your teacher or Mrs. Bowen to assist you with your project. Please go to your class web site to find the webliography for your project. Or you can use Web Feet with your keywords to find pre-selected academic sites for your project.
and if all else fails --
S = 
Once you have learned about your subject by visiting all of the books, online programs, and web sites recommended by Mrs. Bowen and your teacher and you still need more information it is time to search the web. BEWARE! Search engines are not all created equal and you need to learn what types of information each will provide and how that information is presented. Take a few minutes and check out the following links. You will also need to know about the "invisible web" and how to access its information.
Introduction to Search Tools
To learn more about Search Tools, follow the links by clicking on "Introduction to Search Tools."
and
Major Search Engines
What can search engines do for you and how can they help you with your research. Read up on each of the major search engines and how they find information for you. Click on "Major Search Engines."
and
How to Find a Specialized Search Engine for Your Topic
To learn more about Specialized Search Engines, follow the links by clicking on "How to Find a Specialized Search Engine for Your Topic."
Organizers
There is an excellent Assignment Organizer© (1999) and a Research Paper Organizer© (1999) for the Big 6. These Organizers can be printed out or downloaded to a disk to be completed (you can type the information you need in the blanks). Using these organizers will keep your research steps in order and on track. To help you in coming up with the questions you need to answer to prepare a great project check out "What Kinds of Questions did you Ask Today? "and "Asking Essential Questions." There is a worksheet you can print out to help you form your questions.
Style Guides
To find out how to cite a source go to the MLA Guide and/or the Help with Citing Sources (Internet) guide. The Landmark Citation Machine is also an excellent resource for all types of citations. Once the citation has been created always check it against the MLA Guide to make sure that it is correct! You can also use the Toolbox of the Gale online database and find a citing online reference works section.
Copyright Information
Always check your information against copyright laws to make sure you are not violating any rules and are not accused of plagiarism. Copyright Information
The Big 6 Rubric
This is a rubric (guideline) to help you understand the effort you need to put into the process of doing research. If you do not understand a task ask your teacher or Mrs. Bowen, the librarian. Both will be able to help you. Click Here for the Big 6 Rubric. (Hit the "back" arrow in the tool bar to get back to the Library Orientation page.)
Editing Checklist
This is a guideline to use to edit your paper for errors. Print it out to use it as you proofread your paper. Click Here for checklist.( Hit the "back" arrow in the toolbar to get back to the Library Orientation page.)
Research Project Final Evaluation Form
This is a form that either students or teachers can use to evaluate their research projects. Click Here for the Evaluation Form. Print it out and use it as you evaluate your project.
( Hit the "back" arrow in the toolbar to get back to the Library Orientation page.)
