1. Basic Research Skills
M. Holt
SHS Librarian

2. Types of Material Journals Magazines Newspapers Reference sources
Websites
Databases

3. Periodicals Journal Magazine Newspaper Length Fairly Long: 6-20 pgs
Fairly Short:1-5 pgs
Fairly Short: 1-2 pgs
Language Used
Technical, scholarly
Not technical, general, written that a non expert can understand
General, short sentences, to the point
Structure
Divided into research sections: abstract, results, conclusions
No specific structure followed
References
List of references appear at the end of the article
List of references rarely included, sources may be mentioned in article
References are almost never included but might be mentioned in article
Author Info
Name is almost always listed; credentials (degrees, schools, companies)
Appear at the beginning, sometimes more than one author
Name or credentials may or may not be listed and usually only one author
Brief articles the author is usually not named. When author is listed credentials are rarely provided

4. Types of Reference Sources:
Reference Sources: Are tools that are used to find information quickly and efficiently.
Types of Reference Sources:
Encyclopedia
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Almanac
Atlas

5. Library Catalog What is a library catalog?
All of the resources found in a library
What is found in the library catalog?
Books
Newspapers
Magazines
Videos

6. Library Catalog: You Use?
SHS Library Catalog

7. Old vs. New

8. Databases: AVL Alabama Virtual Library is an online
resource that is paid for by the tax payers of
Alabama! It’s FREE
What kind of resources?
Online Encyclopedias
Online Dictionaries
Online Subject Databases: MedlinePlus, Biography, History, Career, Business, Literature
Mega Search Databases: Student Research Center, Gale, EBSCO Host

9. Websites: Reliable or Not?
Reliable Internet Sources
Web addresses ending in .edu or .gov (anyone can purchase .com, .net, .org)
Author is listed and is an experienced person in the field they are discussing (would you go see an auto-mechanic about your broken leg?)
Publisher is a reputable source
References listed: where their information came from.
Copyright date
Neutral standing with the topic
Not Reliable Internet Sources
Commercial site with advertisements and/or social network links
Anonymous authors
No links or references
Site is bias toward one side or another (Is the author trying to sway your opinion?)
No copyright date
No publisher

10. Citations Two types of formats used: MLA APA
Whenever a source is used and words are taken from it to go along with other information, the source MUST be cited!!!!
If a source is not cited and words are taken from it, it is plagiarism!
Two types of formats used:
MLA
APA
(It is the preference of the teacher which format is used for the paper.)

11. Citations Continued MLA APA Modern Language Association
most commonly used to write papers and cite sources within the liberal arts and humanities.
Guidelines to follow for citing and writing paper:
Used mostly in high school
APA
American Psychological Association
most commonly used to cite sources within the social sciences. 
Used mostly in college and graduate school

12. OWL and Son of Citation Online Writing Lab
This site gives basic layout of format for each sources needing to be cited with examples.
Look at right side of main page to find format guide
This is the most reliable site to use for citations for a paper.
Son of Citation
This site can be used to generate a citation by filling in the blanks.
It does not help choose a source and does not correct spelling, what you type will generate in the citation.
BE CAREFUL, CHECK YOUR WORK!!!

13. ALWAYS GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE!!
Plagiarism
*Cheating is any form of copying or receiving unauthorized assistance on an exam, paper (essay), homework or other assignment.
*Plagiarism means to represent the words, language, ideas, or thoughts of another person as one’s own or original work.
ALWAYS GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE!!

14. Librarians A librarian is a resource
Information can be gained for school through a librarians help, she can help find the right book or resource for you.
Best practice is to try and find the information yourself first, then ask for help.
The librarian can better answer questions if you know what you need help with specifically.

15. Any Questions? Remember that we are here to help you!
All you have to do is ask…..