The document provides guidance from a district librarian on how to conduct research using library databases and websites. It outlines the objectives of understanding how to select the best database for specific research needs, how to evaluate the reliability of websites, and provides tips on searching for print materials and assessing the credibility of academic sources. Students are encouraged to contact the librarian with any other questions about the research process.

1. Historical Fiction
Research
Ms. Doyle
District Librarian

2.  Youwill write down the words and
phrases in blue
 You will want to use these notes
while you do your research

3.  Objectives:
 1. Know how to find the library databases
 2. Understand how to select the best database for
your needs
 3. Be able to decide which websites are most
reliable and academic

4. 1. Databases
Basic facts:
World Book
Culturegrams
More depth:
ABC-CLIO History
Gale PowerSearch
JSTOR Academic Journals

5. 2. Find Databases/Catalog
A. School web page
B. Library tab

7. Talk to the person next to you for 1 minute.
You should each answer these questions:
1.Have you used a library database before?
Which ones?
2.If you’ve used the databases, which ones
are most useful?
If you haven’t used them, why not?

12.  What would be an example of a question you
could answer using World Book or Culturegrams?

23.  Why would you want to find a print book on your
topic?

24. 3. Find print books – search DESTINY library catalog

26. Who provided the information?
Has it been edited or fact checked?
What is the purpose of the site?
Is it a trustworthy academic/scholarly source?

27. 4. Academic
Sources:
•Reputation of
author/institution
(Harvard? Mayo
Clinic? New York
Times?)
•Citations? Sources
included so we know
where information
came from
•Peer reviewed or
edited
Image Attribution: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeeperez/2453225588/

33.  Archives (Library of Congress, etc.)
 Museums
 Universities (but NOT students’ personal web
pages)
 Libraries
 Research centers
 Public television stations (BBC, PBS)
 Other?

34.  Library of Congress (U.S. history)

35.  Library of Congress (U.S. history)
Look for terms like narratives, primary sources, documents, diaries, journals,
“voices of”. . .

38.  5. Write one question you still have (or think
someone else might have) about research –
databases, evaluating websites, citing sources,
etc.

39. Questions? Need help?
 Contact
me at
doylem@loswego.k12.or.us
 At
LOHS on Mondays (usually)
and Fridays (sometimes)