A SLICE OF CULTURE
Mr. Labonar's AP Human Geography Classes, November 2022
Research and Reliable Sources
Don't forget to use the SMART test as you conduct your research!
Need to access the library presentation from class? Click here!
- SOURCE: Where is this article published? Is it a fact-checked source? Are the sources/research/quotes attributed and cited?
- MOTIVE: What reason does the author have for writing and publishing this? Was it related to a current story at the time of publication? Is it important to their culture? Is it pushing their beliefs or agenda?
- AUTHORITY: How does the author know so much about the topic? What is their relationship to it?
- REVIEW: Read the article! Does anything stand out to you as potentially being incorrect, not based in fact, or just iffy in some way?
- TWO SOURCE TEST: Can you find this same information somewhere else? Has the author appropriately cited any research, attributed any quotations, or included their own bibliography?
Need to access the library presentation from class? Click here!
Databases
Not every topic for this project. will have a ton of information in one of our databases. But they're a great starting point, because everything in our databases is a reliable source, manually checked by someone who works at the database - so you know it's solid information! Here are some helpful databases to start with. For additional resources beyond these, visit our complete list of databases on our web page.
Any of the "In Context" databases are among the best you can use, but this one has a huge variety of sources - newspapers, primary sources, videos, audio, and more.
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Think of this as a nonfiction library, but digital - lots of reference and ebooks, all available for online browsing and searching.
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If your topic is a person, check out this database. It's got information on everything from historical figures to contemporary newsmakers.
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Looking for even more newspaper articles from around the world, or for something older than our other databases might have? Look no further!
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Print Resources
The print nonfiction collection at Maine East is another great place to start with your research. Search our catalog below for keywords related to your research question. Need additional help finding print resources? Your library staff is happy to help!
Public Libraries
Looking for additional resources in print or online? Your local library has a huge collection of nonfiction, databases, and primary sources you can utilize.
Your librarians at Maine East can help you sign up for a library card if you don't already have one!
Your librarians at Maine East can help you sign up for a library card if you don't already have one!
Niles-Maine Public Library
6960 W Oakton St, Niles, IL 60714 (847) 663-1234 http://www.nileslibrary.org |
Park Ridge Public Library
20 S Prospect Ave, Park Ridge, IL 60068 (847) 825-3123 www.parkridgelibrary.org |
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Internet Research
You know it, you love it, it's Google! With some of the topics at hand, a regular Google search may be your best, most helpful choice. Make sure to apply your SMART Test skills as you conduct regular Google research - it's key to finding reliable sources!
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Google Scholar is like Google's academically-focused cousin. Its results are almost all research-based, journals, theses, books, and academic resources - sources we can usually assume are reliable. (But still use your SMART test to make sure!)
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For additional helpful research tips, visit our website's research page!
Bibliography
You'll need to compile every source that helped you complete your project for your bibliography. It helps to do this as you go - add everything to the document you created during the library class presentation. We are using MLA format for this project. For more information on MLA formatting for citations, click here to visit the Purdue OWL writing help website.
- If you are using a database, it likely will create a citation for you - look for the appropriate button on the right side of the screen.
- If you are using an article or a print book, click on the "Tools" dropdown in the menu bar of your bibliography, and click "Citations." The document will guide you through your process.
- Make sure to organize your bibliography alphabetically, by the first letter of each citation!