Using Library Resources as a Part of the Research Process

Fayetteville High School Library
Using Library Resources as a Part of the Research Process

1. Choose a broad topic.

Resources available on-site only (located in the library or available on the school network):

Check CQ Researcher (in study carrel in reference). Use the table of contents and the index.
Use Readers’ Guide (in index shelves) to browse topics and subtopics.
Browse current magazine display.

Resources available on-site or off-site at fayar.net/east/library:

Do a keyword search on EbscoHost. Be sure to get the passwords from the circulation desk to use this magazine database off-site.
Access SIRS. Use the topic search to browse topics. Be sure to get the login and password from the circulation desk to use SIRS from home.
Use the "Search Engine and Directory Guide. "Choose links suggested for "I’m really not sure what I want to search for."
Use Dewey Decimal classification list to browse reference.

2. Get an overview.

Resources available on-site (located in the library or available on the school network):

Check general encyclopedias: R 031 in the reference shelves or World Book Online from the school network.
Do a keyword search on FALCON to locate general call numbers for your topic. Browse those areas of reference for promising titles. (The first step can be done off-site.)
Check CQ Researcher (in study carrel in reference). Check the index of the most recent volume. Once you locate an issue on your topic, look for "Background" in the table of contents.
Do a keyword search on FALCON to locate regular books. Check the table of contents for an introductory chapter on the topic. (The first step can be done off-site.)
Ask a librarian for further suggestions.

Resources available on-site or off-site at fayar.net/east/library:

Search EbscoHost. Be sure to get the passwords from the circulation desk to use EbscoHost from home.
Access SIRS. Use the subject heading search for most topics. Be sure to get the login and password from the circulation desk to use SIRS from home.
Use online encyclopedias offered in "General Reference" in the Our World section.

3. Narrow the topic.

4. Write a thesis statement.

5. Write questions to guide your research.

6. Plan research and production.

7. Find, analyze, and evaluate sources.

Resources available on-site (located in the library or available on the school network):

Do a keyword search on FALCON to locate regular and reference books. Use the same general call numbers in reference to browse for promising titles. (First step can be done off-site.)
Check CQ Researcher (in study carrel in reference). Check the index in the most recent volume.
Use Gale's Discovering Collection to find further information on many topics.
Check New York Times Critical Issues indexes (in the index shelves). Scan the topics covered by each volume (listed on the spine of each volume).
Check Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature (in the index shelves).
Ask a librarian for further suggestions.

Resources available on-site or off-site at fayar.net/east/library:

Do a word search on EbscoHost. Be sure to get the password from the circulation desk to use EBSCOhost from home.
Access SIRS. Use the subject heading search for most topics. Be sure to get the login and password from the circulation desk to use SIRS from home.
Use the "Search Engine and Directory Guide" to choose a search engine or directory.
Explore the categories in the Our World section.
Search the UA and Fayetteville Public libraries in the Our Community section.

A good overview on evaluating online sources is Selection Criteria: How to Tell If You Are Looking at a Great Web Site. For another great approach, try Evaluating Web Pages: Techniques to Try and Questions to Ask from the University of California at Berkeley Library.

8. Evaluate evidence. Take notes. Make Bibliography.

9. Form conclusions. Make outline.

10. Create and present final product.