A simple, step-by-step explanation of why and how to use databases in scholarly research. Bud, a student at Yavapai Community College in Prescott, AZ, designed and narrated this YouTube video on databases. Used with permission.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2GMtIuaNzU
Power Library is the state’s manager of databases. The School District has a subscription and you can access it through Infinite Campus on the Student Message Center–look for the lightning bolt.
Tip sheet to changes in MLA formatting rules
Use this when collecting information for bibliographic citations
American Psychological Association (APA) – sciences
Website with APA formatting and citing basics.
Chicago Style – history
Website with Chicago formatting and citing basics.
A complete, free guide to the above-referenced formatting styles can be found at OWL at Purdue here.
Our school subscribes to NoodleTools, a comprehensive application for writing, formatting, and citing scholarly papers. Access this tool by using the username and password on your grade’s Google Classroom.
(At this time, NoodleTools is available for high school students; the librarian is advocating the school district for use by seventh and eighth grade students.)
Links to use when working on projects requiring primary sources:
PRIMARY SOURCE WEBSITES:
•Digital History http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/
•Digital Public Library https://dp.la/
•Docs Teach from National Archives
https://www.docsteach.org/documents
•Library of Congress http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/primarysourcesets
•ManyPasts http://historymatters.gmu.edu/browse/manypasts/%3Cbr%20/%3E
•100 Milestone Documents https://www.ourdocuments.gov/content.php?flash=true&page=milestone
DATABASES FROM FREE LIBRARY WITH PRIMARY SOURCES:
History in Context
New York Times http://nytimes.com
Smithsonian https://siarchives.si.edu/
Reference and User Services (RUSA/ALA)
http://rusahistory.libguides.com/c.php?g=752538&p=5390822
Notes are required when writing a thesis paper. We write from our notes, not the source. In addition to verifying references and bibliography, the act of writing notes helps us reflect on what we have read and keeps us from plagiarizing.
When taking notes, you must include the following information on the particular note:
One tip is to record the citations on separate cards called SOURCE CARDS and label each citation with a letter. On NOTE CARDS that call back to the SOURCE CARDS, write the letter that corresponds to the SOURCE.
The SOURCE CARD would look like this:
B
39
Hardships of women suffragists
The “B” corresponds to the bibliographic citation on the SOURCE CARD, so each time you write “B” on the NOTE CARD, you know it comes from that source. After taking notes, it is suggested you paraphrase the information. At the end of your research, you will separate the information into your subtopics, re-read it, and write the paper. Your notes provide your references.
Outlines provide the framework and direction for a research paper. Following a thoughtful outline can keep your paper focused and substantive. Outlines check off the main points of your paper. An outline may be likened to a more detailed Table of Contents for your paper. In fact, in very long research papers, you can treat the outline like the contents and include the page numbers each subtopic starts.
Outlines can begin with a skeletal list of what you want to include in your paper in sequential and logical order. Like the thesis, as you research, you can flesh out these main topics. The length of your paper determines how detailed the outline becomes. You can have a phrase/word phrase
There are some rules in formatting and grammar you must adhere to when writing outlines.
The Benefits of Preschool: Why Having High-Quality Preschools in the United States Benefits Everyone
I. Introduction: The United States government is notorious for shortchanging preschool care.
II. Examining the early benefits
A. Enabling parents to work
B. Enriching the preschool-age child in worthwhile activities
C. Preparing the preschool-age child for school
III. Establishing a firm academic foundation
A. Ensuring on-target academic performance
B. Ensuring likelihood of further education
IV. Influencing a better society
A. Reducing crime
B. Enhancing health
C. Decreasing teen pregnancy
V. Conclusion: The investment in preschools is fiscally sound because of its wide-ranging effects on society.
The Online Writing Laboratory at Purdue University offers expert, clear guidelines.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/563/1/
Beneficial instructions on when to quote, summarize or paraphrase in an academic paper (just ignore the narrator’s initial, “um.”)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfs0UK-bXL4
Directives on how to analyze documents. When writing an academic paper, you need to synthesize and analyze the material you read. The following link from The National Archives provides worksheets to guide you through analyzing different media.
http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/worksheets/
A brief guide for writing research papers:
Research and Library Skills Handbook
A tutorial on writing a thesis statement–plain and simple.
Go to the school catalog to find bibliographies on various topics. Look to the sidebar on the right-hand and click Destiny Discover. You need to be signed in with your Destiny account to view these collections. Your Destiny account is usually your first initial and last name; your password is your student id.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is bound to Academic Integrity. For simple tasks and brainstorming resources, AI may be helpful to you. If AI provides you with resources or references, you still must investigate that material for accuracy. When using AI for school assignments, you need to include screenshots of the conversations that led you to the information; and you need to cite any information you include that you accessed using AI. Before choosing to use AI for school assignments, ask yourself these questions:
–from Jenny Toerien, a school librarian from Great Britain
When considering AI for writing assignments, in particular, think about the purpose of the assignment. Your instructors give you the assignment so they can assess how you are putting your skills to work.
Tips and samples of winning college essays
Citation Machine 
Easybib 