When beginning our research, one of the best places to start our search is SC Discus. 

• Choose SC Discus from your Launchpad

• Select By Grade Level along the top right

• Choose Early Childhood & Elementary

• Some databases will give you brief overviews of many topics, while others cover specific areas.  You can sort by Subject to find the databases that cover the areas you're looking for

• If you're using Discus at home, you may be asked for a username and password. These can be found on the Discus bookmark.  Don't have a login bookmark or want an extra? Stop by the library! 

• Search Tip: For best results, use keywords when searching databases; avoid asking the database a question (ex. search Polar Bears AND habitat instead of What is a polar bear's habitat?)

Not sure if a source you've found is reliable? Evaluate it using the RADCAB checklist!

• R - Relevancy
  Is this information relevant to my research needs?

• A - Appropriateness
  Is the information suitable for my age and core values?

• D - Detail
  How much information do I need? Is the amount of detail in this resource adequate? Is it too much or too little?

• C - Current
  When was this information published or last updated?

• A - Authority
  Who is the author of this information? Are they an expert in this area? How do I know?

• B - Bias
  Why was this information written? Was it written to inform, persuade, entertain, or sell me something?

Want to know more?  Visit the RADCAB website!

Ready to create citations? There are many great tools out there to help you create and organize your research.  Many databases will have citation creation tools embedded in the articles - just copy and paste!  If asked, use MLA format.  When using other resources, one of our favorite tools is the Citations feature in Google Docs. Here's how:

• Open a Google Doc

• Along the top toolbar, click Tools

• Next, choose Citations 

• Click Add Citation Source

• Follow the prompts to fill in the information about your source.  Missing several key parts (author, date created, etc.)?  This may be a red flag - take that resource back to RADCAB and make sure it's reliable!

• Your citations will be saved in the Google Doc you created and you can add to them as you find more. 

• When you're finished, choose Insert Works Cited

• Citation Tip:  Create your citations as you go instead of waiting until the end and trying to figure out where your information came from.  This will save you time and frustration!