Guide to Electronic Research

What You Need to Know Before You Start

• Definitions: Some key terms
• Connecting to the Internet
• Equipment needed to connect to the Internet
• Internet accounts: Username and password
• Figuring out Internet addresses
• Getting around within different programs
  • Using the keyboard only
  • Using the mouse
  • Maneuvers with either keyboard or mouse

A Word About Internet Courtesy

Preparing for Your Research

• What computers can and cannot do
  • Sometimes it's better to consult a person or a book
• Understanding where the information is: Databases
• The Internet
• Expect to use printed sources
• General guidelines for a research project
• Time management

Conducting Your Research

• Searching in the Library
• Searching on the Internet: Search engines
• Searching by subject
• Advanced searches: Using a search string
• What if there is no match for your request?
• What if you get too many listings?
• Assessment Questions- - Use These to Pursue New Searches

Reporting Your Research

• Fair use and the copyright law
  • Provide the source for every idea or fact
• Follow the correct format
  • Modern Language Associate (MLA) style
  • American Psychological Association (APA) style
  • American Chemical Society (ACS) style
  • Classic footnote (or endnote) style
• Rationale for the format
• Format for citing sources at the end of your paper: Works cited, bibliography, references
  • Stand-alone database or CD-ROM
  • Online source or Website
  • Direct e-mail to you
  • Posting to a discussion group
• Citing sources in the body of your paper
  • Modern Language Associate (MLA) style
  • American Psychological Association (APA) style
  • American Chemical Society (ACS) style
  • Classic footnote (or endnote) style

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