Research - Database DP

Why use a library database rather than Google?

Where do you go when you want to find movies/series to watch online? Google or Netflix? Well... think of the Databases the library subscribes to as a Netflix for your research. It is not free but the content is curated and high quality! Well, the ISB Library subscribes to a whole range of Databases to support Academic Research in our school. Check out the resources listed below to know more about the Academic Research equivalent of Netflix, HBO, Hulu & Disney +...

For access to usernames and passwords use this link.

Britannica School

Britannica School offers substantial research support in Middle school. There are 3 levels for users to choose from: Foundation, Intermediate (grade 5 to 8), and Advanced (grade 9 and up). This is a great starting point that allows you to clarify your understanding and make effective connections. The school also has a subscription to Britannica ImageQuest where you will find millions of rights-cleared images.

EXPLORA

EXPLORA offers an easy-to-use interface where students in grades 6-10 will find reliable information on a variety of topics.

GalePowerSearch

GalePowerSearch searches through 159,499,214 articles and use the advanced advanced search options to refine a query. This is a great tool for secondary school students in grades 10-12 and their teachers.

JSTOR

JSTOR is an excellent tool for secondary school students in grades 10-12 and their teachers. It provides access to more than 12 million journal articles, books, images, and primary sources in 75 disciplines. JSTOR is a high-quality research tool used by many international schools students and teachers. This short tutorial gives you an overview of how to get started with basic search, advanced search and image search in JSTOR.

Going Beyond Google for your ReSearch...

Wolfram Alpha

Wolfram|Alpha is a computational knowledge search engine that provides answers to users based on built-in data and algorithms.

What about using Wikipedia for ReSearch...

Wikipedia can be a great starting point for research... but only a starting point. Citing Wikipedia in a research paper is unacceptable. Here is why:

Origin: The people who contribute to Wikipedia do not need to demonstrate their expertise in a particular area, therefore Wikipedia can not be viewed as entirely credible.

Purpose: For research papers, you need to consult scholarly sources. Wikipedia's audience is anyone who might search on the internet for information on any topic. Articles are therefore worded so that any reader can understand it.

Value: Articles in Wikipedia may be changed or deleted between viewings.

Limitation: One of Wikipedia's five pillars is the fact that Wikipedia is written from a neutral point of view but recently edited pages may be biased as they have not had the time to be reviewed.

So... how can you use Wikipedia?

Scan the article to get general information and terms you can use as keywords for further research.
Scan the references at the bottom of the article. These can lead you to excellent books or articles.

Simple English Wikipedia

All of the articles in the Simple English Wikipedia use shorter sentences and easier words and grammar than the regular English Wikipedia. This makes articles easier to understand and edit. If jargon must be used, editors may help provide an easy-to-understand definition.