Researching Tools

Research
careful or diligent search

When beginning the research process, assure that you have narrowed down your topic.  Be mindful of yur scientific question or theme.  The library is the perfect place to start.  There are numerous hardcover books available to you in many subject areas.  The library also makes electronic books available to you as well as databases filled with magazines, newspapers, articles, and ebooks to support your research process.  

Database

a usually large collection of data organized especially for rapid search and retrieval (as by a computer)
Some examples follow:
  • Gale Databases
  • Encyclopaedia Britannica
  • EBSCO
See Helpful Links Tab for direct links.

A hosting site with all Lincoln Library Resources can be found using the hosting site:
mackinvia.com

Evaluation of Information

Utilizing an academic database may assure you that the resources are
Accurate
Relevant
Published by an authority
Objective
Current
Demonstrate ease of use

Steer away from open public searches on the internet.  It could result in opinions or blogs from unverified sources.

Uses for your Research

  • Support to your idea
  • Distance yourself from an opposing view point
  • Refer to a work you are using
  • Provide example(s)
  • Use a sentence that has been written well to support or enhance your idea, theme, thesis, or project

Avoid Plagerism

  • Plagerism is "the act of using another person's words or ideas without giving credit to that person".
  • Plagerism can also occur when citations are not properly written. 
  • You are able to  restate a text, passage, or work giving the meaning in another form.  You are responsible for giving credit to the originator of the concept.  If something is common knowledge, then it is not necessary. 
YOU ARE REQUIRED TO GIVE CREDIT TO THE ORIGINAL WRITER OR CREATOR IN THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLES BY CITING:
  • Paraphrase  - using a passage or part of an original work but putting it into your own words. Usually shorter than original.
  • Quote – must be exactly like the original and you will use quotation marks
  • Summarize – using a passage or part of an original by putting into your own words, but you only hit the main points not all the details. A summary will be quite a bit shorter than original. 

Citations

Utilize the citation tools your teacher or establishment requires to give credit to the sources that you used to gather your reserach.  Most require MLA or APA format.  The following helpful links are free:

Copyright

"the exclusive legal right to reproduce, publish, sell, or distribute the matter and form of something (such as a literary, musical, or artistic work)"
  • You are welcome to utilize other creator's work as long as it does not exceed 10% of the original work o
  • Cause you to have financial gains
  • Cause the creator to lose out on potential financial gain
  • Be sure to request permission to use and cite properly

Fair use

a legal doctrine that portions of copyrighted materials may be used without permission of the copyright owner provided the use is fair and reasonable, does not substantially impair the value of the materials, and does not curtail the profits reasonably expected by the owner"
“Dictionary by Merriam-Webster: America's Most-Trusted Online Dictionary.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, 27 Aug. 2018, 10:00, www.merriam-webster.com/