Welcome to the Library Media Center!

The Research Process
  1. Write your thesis sentence. You may want to restate the thesis sentence as a question. Make a list of the keywords found in your thesis sentence.
  2. Find information and write note cards.
  3. Evaluate the information you have found.
  4. Write your paper. Your teacher will tell you if you need to use any specific format or style.
  5. Create a works cited page.
Tips for Research Success
  • Keep a research journal. Every time you work on your paper keep a log of the places you search and the keywords you use. Use a computer or a piece of paper. Write down all the books, articles and internet sites you find, and state their degree of usefulness. You may need to use one of them later. Include book call numbers and internet sites.
  • Use notecards. Write note cards (some classes will require them). Each card should have only one piece of data (idea, thought, statistic or conclusion).
  • Floppy disks and USB drives. Bring a floppy disk or USB drive with you when you are doing research. You can print the information at home and save time. You can also use it to take and store notes.
Evaulate the Information You Have Found
  • Does your source contain information you need?
  • Is the information too simple or too difficult?
  • Who was the intended audience?
  • What is the purpose for writing this document (book, article, Web Page)?
  • What are the author's qualifications? Are they suitable for the subject?
  • What is the copyright date?
  • Is the information current enough for your topic or do you need historical information?
  • Is the data/information accurate?
  • Is the data supported with a bibliography (Works Cited Page)?
  • Is the format appropriate for your topic: print, video, electronic?
  • Is this a report of primary research such as surveys, experiments, observation? Or, is it a compilation of information gathered from other sources?
The Information Checklist
  1. After you look at your thesis sentence, list all the keywords. Be sure to leave room to add to the list.
  2. Double check the meaning of the keywords in an unabridged dictionary.
  3. Review your own knowledge and add to your keyword list. You may find additional background information, keywords, and a printed bibliography in a general encyclopedia.
  4. Look (or ask) for special reference materials about your topic.
  5. Do a keyword search in Follett (the online catalog) for a book about your topic. Write down the information you find on paper or in a computer file.
  6. Find an article using SRC or First Search > Wilson.
  7. Surf the internet using your keywords.
  8. Ask a librarian if there is a source that you may have missed.