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HOW TO USE THIS RESEARCH GUIDE
HOW TO USE THIS RESEARCH GUIDE
Year 9 Geography students can access a range of resources to assist you with your research for your assessment on Sustainable Biomes.
Research topics for this assessment include: cotton, coffee, barley, wheat, cocoa bean, rice, tea, sugar cane, oil seeds (palm oil, soya beans or olive oil), corn, potato, canola.
This library pathfinder will guide you to information available in websites, databases, ebooks and encyclopaedias, videos and more for your Sustainable Biomes Assessment Task.
The guide is divided into several parts by type of resource (such as websites, databases, books and videos). There are some specific research suggestions as examples for some topics. However, you will need to investigate further for your topic. Read the instructions provided and apply them to research for your task.
To get started - scan/scroll through the entire guide first to become familiar with what's available. Then go back to the top and work your way through accessing different resources to assist with your research.
TIP: if you get a Redirect Notice when you select a link, click on the link provided in the redirect notice to continue through to the selected website.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ONLINE ENCYCLOPEDIA: INFOPLEASE
ONLINE ENCYCLOPEDIA: INFOPLEASE
Infoplease is an authoritative reference site with content for students and young adults. It is a good starting point to gather some initial information about your crop.
Research tips:
Search for your crop to get started with facts and information to develop your background knowledge on your topic.
Verify this information by comparing it to other information you gather as you make notes.
To research your crop in depth, you will need to continue researching using other sources of information such as databases and carefully selected websites.
Here are some examples of information that can be found in Infoplease:
ABC EDUCATION
ABC EDUCATION
ABC Education contains a range of relevant, short videos about some crops being researched (including the use of technology in farming and agriculture).
Breeding tolerance (related to wheat, water issues and technology)
Crop biodiversity vs monoculture (about differences in wheat production between Tajikistan and Australia)
Visit ABC Splash to search for more resources.
WEBSITE EVALUATION
WEBSITE EVALUATION
WEBSITE EVALUATION TIP
As you search for information online, it is important research practice to consider a number of questions to evaluate a website’s quality and relevance. Applying a set of questions such as the WWWDOT framework can help you work out if a website is useful for your particular information need. Apply this framework to websites you access to evaluate their quality and relevance to you.
In the WWWDOT framework this includes considering:
Who wrote it and what credentials do they have?
Why was it written?
When was it written or updated?
Does it help meet my needs?
Organization of site
To-do list for the future
It's important to ask yourself: Does it help meet my particular needs? (if the resource is not suitable for you, for example, it is too difficult to read or understand, then it does not meet your particular needs).
WEBSITES: FARMING & AGRICULTURE
WEBSITES: FARMING & AGRICULTURE
The following websites may be used to provide a helpful starting point for your research into Sustainable Biomes. You may need to search within these websites search engines or use tabs/links within these sites to navigate to relevant information. These websites may also connect you to other helpful resources and websites.
National Farmers' Federation -The National Farmers' Federation (NFF) is the peak national body representing farmers and agriculture across Australia. For example, a search of 'cotton' in this site provided an article about biotechnology and cotton farming (23 January 2020).
Department of Agriculture and Water Resources - Crops - Provides information on cotton, rice, sugar, wheat and links to international crops organisations.
Farming in Australia - Information about farming from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Also check the Bibliography at the end of the page.
Canegrowers - Sugar cane industry in Queensland.
Cotton Australia - Cotton Australia is the peak representative body for the Australian cotton growing industry, led by a Board of nine cotton growers and ginners.
Rice - Ricegrowers' Association of Australia
Agrifutures Australia - Barley
Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations - Food and agriculture data
Future of Farming: A data driven destiny? (PwC Australia)
PwC is a consultancy firm for businesses in Australia including the farming and agriculture sector. This page provides some interesting examples about how technology and sustainability will create continuous improvement and advancement in the industry.
For your knowledge, read this webpage and watch the video.
Then, investigate further to find out about the role of technology in the farming of the crop you are researching.
CLICKVIEW
CLICKVIEW
ClickView Online
ClickView Online has a range of videos which may assist you with your research. Access a suggested list here. To access ClickView Online, your username is your school email address, then select 'Cerdon College' from the drop down menu.
DATABASES
DATABASES
EBSCOHost Research Databases
Students have access to the EBSCOHost Research Databases which provide full-text access to articles from journals, newspapers, magazines, reference books and more. Some of the databases which may be helpful for your Geography task include:
Australia/New Zealand Reference Centre
Secondary Explora
EBSCOHost (searches across all EBSCO databases)
Below are some examples of articles available in the EBSCOHost databases which may be of interest:
Topic Overview: Australian Agriculture
Australian Agriculture Now And Into The Future. By: Keatinge, Sophie. Geodate. 01/07/2014, Vol. 27 Issue 3, p2-3. 2p. 2 Charts.
Abstract: The article discusses the significance of the prospects for agriculture in Australia to the world population. It reckons that the particular industry will have an impact on feeding and clothing to the growing population. It states that there significant challenges to the industry despite its being prosperous such as ensuring farmers continue to gain access to innovation, securing better trade and market access, addressing skills and labour shortages. (AN: 97400902)
What's happening to agriculture? The benefits of technological transition. By: Tribe, David. IPA Review. Dec2005, Vol. 57 Issue 4, p20-23. 4p.
Abstract: The article examines the benefits of technological transitions to the agricultural industry in Australia. It provides insights into the use of technology in the cotton and sugar farming sectors.
Chocolate: A Global Value Chain Of A Tropical Commodity. By: Neilson, Jeff. Geodate. 01/05/2010, Vol. 23 Issue 2, p7-10. 4p. 2 Color Photographs, 3 Diagrams, 1 Cht.
Abstract: The article discusses the cocoa industry in developing countries throughout Africa, Latin America, and tropical Asia. Cocoa beans are the main raw materials that are utilized in making different chocolate products. The process of manufacturing chocolate as well as the organizations and companies that are involved in the cocoa industry are noted, including the International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO), Archer Daniels Midland and Barry Callebaut. (AN: 50881354)
When searching the EBSCOHost databases try a combination of keywords to refine your search results. For example, if you are looking for information on cotton in Australia you could try a search that combines the following terms:
agriculture AND cotton AND Australia
The articles in the links to the left are examples of some of the articles you can discover in the EBSCOHost databases. Click on the links to go to any that are relevant to your topic or conduct your own search in eResources.
BOOKS
BOOKS
While most of your research for this task will be completed online, you might like to refer to some of the books available.
The library is open on school days from 8:30 - 4:00 pm (from Week 3).
BOOKS
Remember to use the Index and Table of Contents pages in the books to help you find what you are looking for. Once you have scanned the book and located pages of interest, you will need to spend time reading the information you have identified and located. Read this information actively (that is, think about what you are reading, and how it applies to the question you are investigating). Make notes on the Research Scaffold provided to you (including your source details).
These links show you what is available in certain subject areas in elibrary:
You can search eLibrary using other subject terms to discover more resources.
Don't forget to check the World Book Encyclopedia - this is a great starting point for your research. The World Book Encyclopedia is located in the middle section of the library.
ADDITIONAL WEBSITES
ADDITIONAL WEBSITES
PREPARING YOUR REFERENCE LIST
PREPARING YOUR REFERENCE LIST
To assist you in preparing your Reference List (Bibliography), see the Sr Ann Marie Learning Centre's page on referencing. Your Student Diary contains APA Referencing information on pages 30-31.
Tip: record your references as you work through each source and make notes. Don't leave it until the end of your assessment.
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