Research Tools

Why do we conduct research?

Aside from being assigned the task by your teacher, you research in order to find the answers to questions. The most simple search in Google is a kind of research. You might want to know where the best place to get burgers in town are. A search for "the best burgers in Tulare" might provide you with a list of restaurants or even a map of where those restaurants are. Either way, you will get an answer to your question. It all depends on how and what you ask.

California Databases

Below are free databases provided by the State of California.

They provide academically reliable and accurate information.

These database should be your first online research tools for all school projects!

*Click on logos to visit websites

Britannica

When using the Britannica databases from home, click HERE to access username and passwords.

Britannica High has resources for primary, middle, and secondary students.

Britannica Escolar has resources for primary and secondary students entirely in Spanish

ProQuest Resources

When using the ProQuest databases from home, click HERE to access username and password.

Access scholarly journals, dissertations, and more in this higher-level academic database.

Find information about other countries and states.

Huge collection of periodicals and digital media content.

Looking for help with your research paper? These resources will help you create your paper.

A comprehensive database best suited for students with early reading levels.

Get the latest information about topics currently making headlines.

Gale

Search environmental issues of interest with Gale In Context. Browse articles, videos, images to find more information.

Science comes to life as you interact with 3D models. View related articles and search Gale content to find more information on tons of science topics.

Search Engines

A Search Engine for Students

Google Scholar provides a simple way to broadly search for scholarly literature. Search across a wide variety of disciplines and sources.

Research Basics:

A Step-by-Step Guide

Guidance for students who need to do research on a topic for an assignment.

Welcome!

This guide will help you prepare for any research assignment you have been tasked with. You'll learn how to come up with a topic, find reliable sources to support your evidence or argument, and evaluate and cite those sources. The following menu buttons with help to navigate your research guide.

Getting Started

Finding Sources

Evaluating Sources

Citing Sources

*Pre-Research Tips * Choosing a Topic * Brainstorming * Staying Organized & Time Management Tips

*Types of Sources * Library Catalog * Databases * Websites * Pros/Cons * Stats * Data*

*Think Critically * Reliable * Credible * CRAP Test * Lateral Reading * Click Restraint * Investigating Tips

*Written Citations * Oral Citations * Works Cited * In-Text * Formatting Rules *

Ms. Trauger's COS English

Helpful Library/LRC links:

Academic Databases
Ask a Librarian
Library/LRC Frequently Ask Questions (FAQs)

Use your MyGiant login information to access all that the COS Library has to offer!!

Watch this video to help determine the difference between scholarly vs. Popular periodicals.

Evaluating Sources

Which Resources to Use

There are a variety of resources available both in the Mission Oak Library and online. Knowing which resources to use is an important part of the research process!

Magazines

Description:

Magazines are collections of articles and advertisements written for the general public. Journalists or experts in certain subject areas usually write to them. The content usually pertains to popular interest and current events. Magazines are periodicals, meaning they are published at regular time intervals.

Uses:

Information on current events.
Opinions about popular culture.
Articles are written for the general public.
Interviews with celebrities, politicians, etc.

Examples:

TIME
National Geographic
People
Sports Illustrated
Cosmopolitan

Reference Books

Description:

Reference books are information-dense books like encyclopedias, handbooks, and dictionaries. They can contain general information or subject-specific information. Topics in encyclopedias and dictionaries are arranged in alphabetical order and may have several volumes.

Uses:

Finding keywords, dates, or concepts about a topic that you could use for searching databases.
Finding background information.
Definitions of words or concepts.

Examples:

Environmental Encyclopedia
Business Plans Handbook
Encyclopedia of Crime and Justice
Dictionary of American History
World book

Academic (Scholarly) Journals

Description:

Academic journals are collections of articles written by scholars, professionals, and experts in certain fields of study. Many journal articles are "peer-reviewed" meaning they must go through a rigorous review process by other experts and scholars. Academic journals are periodicals, meaning they are published at regular time intervals. Highly credible information.

Uses:

Finding scholarly research.
Finding past research on a topic.
Discovering citations of other relevant research on a certain topic.

Examples:

American Journal of Nursing
Educational Research and Reviews
Journal of Music and Dance

News Sites

Looking for an article about science, history or current events? This is an interactive that is regularly updated with new articles from the Associated Press.