Great powerpoint

1. How to Research
THE GUIDE TO RESEARCHING

2. Getting Started
 Use keywords to focus on topic
 Use names of important people, places, and
events/issues
 Generate synonyms for your topic

3. Books
 Search the catalog using
keywords as you begin
to narrow your topic
 Visit local libraries to
explore collection
 Check for both reference
and circulating titles

4. Subscription databases
 A database is a collection of information, which can
be accessed on the Internet.
 Some databases require a subscription to access.
 The New Trier library purchases subscription
databases for your use.

5. Searching websites
 When your searching look for advanced search
options
 Use quotes to search phrases or two words next to
each other
 Add additional descriptors, such as such as a year or
specific type of information, to your keywords e.g.
“2009”, “articles”, “news” “statistics”

6. News
Publications
Newspapers, journals, a
nd magazines are good
research tools.
Historic newspapers
can give you a window
to the past and
searching current world
newspapers will help
you broaden your
understanding as you
find various viewpoints
on a topic or issue.
Be aware of bias in
reporting

7. Blogs
 A personal diary or log that is published online.
 Short for Web log
 Blogs can be sponsored by an organization with
multiple authors or can be owned or written by one
individual.

8. Wikis
 “A collaborative website which can be directly edited
using only a web browser, often by anyone with
access to it.” from Wikitionary online
 Wikis are usually not considered authoritative or
scholarly
 Wikis allow people to share their knowledge and
expertise- this is a good thing-but the downside is
people can also invent facts or pass off ideas as
facts on a wiki.

9. The end