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
Searching the Internet for other sources
Home pages of colleges and universities
Websites of governmental and other nonprofit organizations
Using a gopher
Using Telnet
Possible Problems with Telnet
Using e-mail: Newsgroups (Usenet)
Using e-mail: Mailing lists (Listserv)
Using e-mail: Queries
General advice for e-mail
Knowing when to stop your search
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