LibGuides: Sullivan Library at WDMS: Grade 8 Research Guides

RESEARCH PLANNER

Successful research
begins with a plan

Use this research planner
to create your plan

DEVELOP YOUR KEYWORDS

IMPROVE YOUR SEARCH RESULTS:
Use Multiple Keywords!

1. Start with the obvious keyword(s) in your topic
2. Then try synonyms of your original keyword(s)
3. Finally, be aware of other keywords/terms found in your search results

Need help getting started?
Watch a video (below) & download a worksheet.

TOPIC FINDER

Topic Finder
Use the topic finder to generate keywords, broaden or narrow your search, and locate articles related to your search.

How Topic Finder Works
(video below)

WIKIPEDIA

Caveat Lector
Latin for "reader beware"
Wikipedia is not a reliable source (article)

Consult more than one source - always!!
Choose balance over bias

GOOGLE ADVANCE and SCHOLAR

Advanced

Google Scholar search tips

GOOGLE SEARCH TRICKS

STATISTICS SOURCES

StatisticBrain

US Data and Statistics

National Center for Education Statistics

PUBLIC OPINION POLLS

The Harris Poll

Pew Research Center

Polling Report

ESTABLISHING CREDIBILITY ONLINE

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Credible Source?
HOW CAN YOU TELL?
3 Strategies:

Read Laterally
- Open a new tab
- Google the name of the website's organization, editor, author
Investigate "About Us" links
Don't settle for Google's top 5 results
- Dig deeper into your search results
- Check out the sources listed on a page

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Ask yourself these questions:

Does the web site provide references for further research that can be independently verified?
Are authors identified, and their affiliations, credentials, and contact information provided?
Who owns or is responsible for the web site?
Does the site describe its mission and are staff members identified?
Does the site carry advertising?
If so, are the ads related to the content on the page?
If the site is not-for-profit, are its sources of funding identified?