Conducting Research
This is a quick summary of the research process.
Step 1. Brainstorm.
Choose your topic. What do you already know? Use the K-W-L Creator at ReadWriteThink to start the thinking process.
Step 2. Research.
The 5 W's: Who, What, Where, When, Why. Think about the 5 W's. Which W's do you need to answer during your research? Include the library catalog, encyclopedias and databases in your investigation process.
Search Tips:
Try keyword and subject searches.
Look up synonyms.
Put words in "quotation marks" if they should be next to one another.
Step 3. Take Notes.
Record your answers using the FINDS template. Write in your own words. Keep track of the sources you use.
Step 4. Write the Report.
Write in your own words. Be sure to put anything you copy exactly in quotation marks. Cite all the sources used.
How to Cite a Source
NOTE: Most digital resources have citation generators. Make sure to choose the MLA format.
Use EasyBib or the
Book:
Author's last name, first name. Title of the book. Publisher, Year. Print.
Primary Source Resources
Primary Sources are original documents created by first-hand accounts of events regardless of their format. These are examples of primary sources: Autobiographies, Diaries, Government Documents, Journals, Manuscripts, Maps, Memoirs, Music, Newspapers, Photographs, Sound Recordings
Sources, Tips & How to Cite.
University of South Carolina Digital Collections
Links to newspapers, diaries, and other primary sources,
especially South Carolina history.
Understanding Copyright
Copyright Basics video from the Copyright Clearance Center.
Evaluating a Web Site
Coming soon.