This document provides an overview of different types of research resources: - Print materials include books, magazines, documents found in libraries, bookstores, and other physical locations. - Databases contain organized peer-reviewed journal articles and can be found through public library websites. They provide valid, accurate, and reliable information. - Personal learning networks allow you to communicate through social media, blogs, and RSS feeds to stay informed on topics of interest. - Search engines like Google can be used to find blogs and limit results to specific domains, while portal sites aggregate related websites on a topic. - Directories are topical collections of websites created by humans that cover many subject areas.

1. Thinking about
Research?
Think Categories
• Print
• Databases
• P L Ns
• Search Engines
• Portal Sites
• Directories

2. Print Books, primary
documents,
Material magazines,
pamphlets, and
DVDs
• Library
• Bookstores
• Online journals
• Articles
• Museums
• Grandma’s Attic!

3.  Radioand TV
transcripts. Print Material is
not always made
 Database of paper!
articles.
 Internet News
sources.
 Internet
 versions of
primary
documents.

4. Database
Research
• What is it?
• Why use it?

5. What is a Database?
Topically organized data from
Peer Reviewed Journal Collections in a

6. Types of Databases
Embedded
Document –to store, edit,
—
retrieve docs
integrates
with
application
software
Warehoused-- data archives
to retrieve, analyze, and mine

7. Why choose
Databases?
• Valid
• Accurate
• Relevant
• High Quality
• Reliable
• Standardized
• Convenient

8. Where can I find databases?
www.infohio.com Public Libraries
• Clevnet 38 libraries
• Akron Summit 18 libraries
• Stow-Munroe Falls Public
Library
• Your library card number is
Core Collection your password
• Use links on Mrs. H’s
webpage.
All research Databases
*Obtain password from
library staff

9. Remember:
• Select the databases
that best relate to your
search
• Be sure to receive the
WHOLE article
• Obtain the bibliographic
info for your Works Cited
page

10. Personal Learning Networks
or PLNs
Pintrest
RSS
Your PLN is how you communicate through social
f
media, blogs and RSS feeds to your email. It’s a new
way to think of how you receive and extend
information electronically.
myspace.com
Blogger

11. RSS Feeds
Set up an RSS feed to your email of e-
journal or news sources appropriate for
current information in your field of interest.
Click on the RSS icon on the news source
to discover how to set up regular feeds on
specific topics.

12. Blogs-- Participate in blogs in your areas of
interest.
1. Type your area of interest followed by the word 'blog' in a Google
search engine. Look at the URLs of results and find the blogs.
Investigate.
2. In Google, click on the 'more' drop down, then the 'even more' drop
down. Scroll down to 'specialized searches' and click on the blog icon.
Type in your area of interest and explore the blogs titles that come up.
Just go with one or two to begin with!
3. Consider creating your own blog for others interested in
communicating and learning in the area of your interest.
Google Blogger Blogger
Blogger
Google Google
Google Blogger
Google Google

13. In-the-
Know
Contact experts in your area of
interest: Authors of database
articles, books, sometimes even
blogs. Professionals in the field.
check
bylines

14. Social Networking
Consider setting up a
group
who talks
and shares photos about
your topic
of interest on the
social media platform(s)
you use.

15. Search Engines:
Use tricks to get the best info from robot
generated collections.
Top Search Engines:
Add ‘site:edu’ or ‘site:gov’ to your search terms to limit the type of
hits returned.
Add ’inURL’ or ‘inanchor’ or ‘intitle’ or ‘relatedURL’ after your
search terms to limit where your terms will be located.
* For these or other tips, pick up our in-house book marks at the
circulation counter in the library.

16. Portal Websites
Port Means ‘gate’ in Latin. Websites that provide
numerous related sites are web-gates or portals.

17. Directories: Topical collections
created by humans.
Find info on
http://familyfriendlysites.com/ cars, realestate
http://www.incrawler.com/ arts,
http://www.kahuki.com/ humanities,
http://www.splashdirectory.com/ shopping
http://www.info-listings.com/ business,
http://www.global-weblinks.com/ health, fitness,
http://www.dmozzilla.com/ entertainment,
http://www.business-directory.com/ computers,
http://www.globallinknetworks.com/ government,
http://www.zorg-directory.com/ society . . .
http://www.worldsiteindex.com/
Search on ‘Directories’ in a search engine, like Google for more
directories.

18. Print and Media
Databases
PLNs--Personal Learning Networks
Search Engines
Portal sites
Directories