Mr. Mingolelli- 12th Grade Research Paper
Deciding on a Topic
Several databases offer lists of topics that you can explore:
* Issues and Controversies - Click Access All Topics
* SIRS - Use the scrolling list
* Global Issues in Context - Click on View All to see the topic tree
If you have an idea for a project but can't find any information, please see Mrs. Daniels or Ms. Spitzer for help.
Search Strategies:
Once you select a topic, find a good background article about it. Use the information in the background article to decide on a thesis and a more narrow focus for your project.
Use a database that will contain information about your topic.
Example:
Broad topic: Cell phones in schools
Thesis:
Cell phones annoy some educators, but creative educators can design lessons using cell phones to capture student interest.
Suggested databases:
EBSCO - Professional Development collection
Gale - Academic OneFile
Suggested search strategy:
Cell phone*
instruct*
school*
Alternate search strategies:
Cell phone*
lesson*
education*
Remember that less is more. Start simple with your topic. You can use the subject list or add words to your search strategy to narrow down your topic. Avoid getting too specific. See Mrs. Daniels or Ms. Spitzer for help.
Help save paper! Don't print your articles - save them in MS Word
Directions for Saving Articles to MS Word
Open MS Word.
Copy the MLA citation from your article and paste it at the top.
Copy the entire text of the article and paste it below the citation.
Save one article per document.
Citation:
The databases generate your citation for you. See this list to find out where the MLA citation is found in each database.
Issues and Controversies - Provides articles on more than 600 controversial topics from A-Z.
Citation:
The MLA citation is at the bottom of the article. Be sure to copy the MLA citation.
SIRS - SIRS contains the full text of articles that have appeared in magazines and newspapers as well as government documents. When you open SIRS look for the Top 10 Pro vs Con section. Click on one of these issues or click on more issues for the complete list.
Citation:
The MLA citation is at the bottom of the article.
Global Issues in Context - A new database that provides a global perspective to current issues. Click on one of the eight featured topic categories or click on view all to see the complete list. MLA citations are listed at the bottom of the articles.
Citation:
The MLA citation is at the bottom of the article.
EBSCO MAS Ultra - Contains full text magazine and newspaper articles. Choose full text and bullet boolean/phrase for a more focused search. Check the cover story box for in depth articles.
Citation:
Click the Cite link at the right hand side of the page and copy the MLA citation.
Gale Databases and Virtual Reference Library
Gale has a wide variety of databases covering diverse subjects.
Citation:
Click on Citation Tools on the right hand side of the page in the tool panel. Click in the button next to MLA 7th Edition.
Click on Save.
Click on Open.
Creating a citation for an Internet source
Include all of the following if possible. If the page does not list an author, skip this and start with the title of the page. If the page has no date, you will put n.d. instead of the date.
Author or Editor’s Last Name, Author or Editor’s First Name (if given).”Title of Page or Article.” Title of Site. Name of Institution or Organization Associated With Site, Date of electronic publication or of the latest update (day month year). Web. Date of access (day month year).
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