Research Tools
Whenever you are working on research for a school project, the best place to look for resources is always going to be the school's databases. Here at Alter, we provide you with a plethora of great online databases to choose from and the best part is that you never have to question whether or not the information is reliable or accurate. After looking at the databases, you might also want to search online to see if there are any good free resources out there as well. The tools below will help you along the research process and provide you with some good tips for how to become a better researcher.
What is Research in General?
Research is the process of seeking information with a clear goal in mind. You need to go beyond just the facts and take a look at the information clearly to take your own stand on it. Research is a step-by-step process. Take a look at the powerpoint below for more details:
Plan Your Steps
You need to have a clear plan in mind when conducting research. It may even help for you to create a timeline for yourself. Take a look at the student research planning guide below and also try out INFOhio's Research Project Calculator at: https://rpc.elm4you.org/
Evaluating Sources and Synthesizing Information: It's important to remember that not everything you find online is valid. While there is a wealth of great resources on the web, many sites you might come across could contain false or inaccurate information. It is so easy to create your own website today that there is a lot of inaccurate information out there. Use the resources below to help you decide if a source is trustworthy and accurate.
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How to Search Smarter
There are a few steps you can take online in order to get better search results. Using the right search engines, entering search terms correctly, and knowing which sites to avoid will ensure that you get better search results every time.. Boolean Searching , using the words and, or, and not can either broaden or narrow your searches. Putting your search terms in quotations is a helpful tool as well. Click on the links below for more information:
Citing Your Sources
Anytime you use information from another source, it is important that you cite your information. Whether you are paraphrasing, taking someone else's ideas, or directly quoting something you must inform your readers where the information originally appeared. For help with MLA, please consult your handbook or check out the MLA guide from Purdue OWL at: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/.
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