District 204 Research Handbook
  • Home
  • Prepare
  • Locate
    • Search Process
    • Evaluate Sources >
      • Evaluating Primary Sources
    • Research Quality of Websites
  • Apply
    • Create a Better Presentation
    • Cite Your Sources
    • Organize Your Research
    • When Should I document Sources in My Text?
    • Quoting / Paraphrasing / Summarizing
    • MLA Guide
  • Next Steps
  • Primary Sources Search Engine
Locate
Google is cool, but it isn’t the end all, be all! Follow these steps to find quality information quickly and efficiently.
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Use  Proper Search Techniques
  • Select the best search tools (e.g. LMC databases, books, search engines) based on your topic and research questions.
  • Use advanced search techniques effectively to find information to answer your research questions.
  • Use search operators, search filters, advanced search forms, table of contents, book index and other tools to narrow and refine your search results.

Understand Your Results
  • Make sure you understand:
    • ​ads vs. search results
    • how search results are organized
    • primary vs. secondary vs. tertiary sources
    • skimming and scanning for keywords (ctrl+f)
    • search filtering features
  • Be able to determine the intended audience and purpose for sources.

Evaluate Information
  • Evaluate each source you want to use for your project using The 7 layers of Website Evaluation.

​Cite Sources
  • Choose the correct citation style for your project (e.g. MLA or APA). If you are not sure, ask your teacher or LMC director.
  • Identify the correct source type for each source you want to include in your works cited list.
  • Locate the information needed from the source for your citation.
  • Use a citation builder (e.g. NoodleTools, EasyBib) to create the citation, but remember it is up to you to make sure it is done correctly.
  • Create a works cited list, annotated bibliography or references page when appropriate.

Organize
  • Capture information from your sources that you want to use to answer your research questions using a tool of your choice (e.g. NoodleTools, Diigo, Evernote, Google Drive, camera phone, scanner or photocopier).
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Find resources (e.g. handouts, videos, tutorials) related to the Locate step on the Resources page. 
The District 204 Research Handbook is a joint project between the Metea, Neuqua and Waubonsie High School LMCs. ​
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Metea Valley HS LMC
Neuqua Valley HS LMC
Waubonsie Valley HS LMC
MLA Glossary
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