Great issues and controveries in U.S. History Guide OWH Library at Phillips Academy Andover

Oliver Wendell Holmes Library
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Great Issues and Controversies in US History

Teacher: mr. collins

Librarian: David Hegarty

Term/Year: Summer 2006

1. Get Organized!

Before you begin your research follow these crucial steps:

1. Understand the assignment.	Questions to get you started.
2. Choose a broad topic or area of interest.	Need help choosing a topic?
3. Get an overview of the topic.	Where to find good overviews.
4. Narrow the topic.	Get focused!
5. Write a thesis statement or statement of purpose.	Statement of Purpose/Essential Question /Thesis Statement Tips for developing a thesis statement. (from Joyce Valenza's Online Lessons and Activities)

Plan your time wisely. Try the OWHL's Planning Assignment Calculator (adapted from the University of Minnesota’s QuickStudy: Library Research Guide). This tool will help you set deadlines for yourself so that you can complete the entire project on time.

2. Gather Information

Definitions of frequently confused concepts are just a click away: Helpful Explanations.

There is no one perfect source. The best source for you depends on your particular information need. This discussion of Choosing the Right Sources can save you time by helping you to match your information need with one or more source types.

Don’t forget to capture the information you will need for your bibliography the first time you use each source. Use these handy forms for collecting all the data elements you will need.

Click here for a list of selected specialized reference books (available in the Garver Room) you may want to consider.

The reference books will give you an overview of your subject; remember to check the bibliographies for further information.

Search a library catalog if you have a title or subject in mind.

For a list of books on DESK RESERVE click here.

The OWH Library Catalog

All NOBLE Libraries

Memorial Hall Library

MASS Virtual Catalog

OCLC World CAT

More Info

Finding Journal Articles:

OWHL Subscription Database(s) best suited to your project.

A to Z List of Databases

HISTORY & SOCIAL SCIENCE

Selected Websites

Selected History Internet Resources: History sites chosen by the OWH Reference Librarians for Authority and Quality of Content.

With any source, remember to look at it critically. Check out Evaluating the Sources for more information.

3. Use the Information

Now that you’ve found your resource material, follow these steps to get the most out it.

Locate information within the source.
Organize, Organize!
Take notes.
Avoid plagiarism! (Plagiarism /Copyright) (Summarizing, Paraphrasing, and Quoting (from Joyce Valenza's Online Lessons and Activities))

As you work, remember to create a bibliography or works cited page using the citation style specified by your teacher for this assignment: Turabian style. Additionally, you may try REFWORKS to create and produce your bibliography in Turabian style. Click here to go to REFWORKS. Note: REFWORKS can only be used from on-campus computers.

The first time you access this product you will have to create a personal account. Then track all of your research needs with this one source!

To cite Electronic sources

To cite Print Sources

The next step is to bring structure to your notes by creating an outline.

You’ve now reached the stage where you’re ready to pull everything together into a finished product. Write your paper, prepare your oral report, put together your PowerPoint presentation. Don’t forget to proofread!

4. Take time to reflect.

Are you satisfied with your efforts and outcome? If not, be sure to review this process thoroughly before your next assignment. Make an appointment with an Instructional Librarian as soon as you receive your assignment to make sure that you get off on the right track next time.