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Choosing Sources. Knowing your information is GOOD is half the battle…. How do you decide which resources address your needs?. Definition: media (text, art, recordings) created by people who were present at the time, either as participants or as observers
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Choosing Sources Knowing your information is GOOD is half the battle…
Definition:media (text, art, recordings) created by people who were present at the time, either as participants or as observers Advantages:firsthand information can help the researcher grasp the attitudes and beliefs of a particular time period and may contain very specific information Primary Sources Examples:Letters, diaries, speeches, travelogues, photos, autobiographies, interviews, portraits, artists renderings, census data, first person newspaper/magazine articles
Definition:media (text, art, recordings) created created at a later time by people who were NOT present or involved. Advantages: may include excerpts from several primary sources, include several viewpoints and present a more well rounded overview of the topic Secondary Sources Examples: encyclopedias, textbooks, biographies, some newspaper and magazine articles, documentaries, films, art
A great first step is to check out the school library’s reference collection – print and electronic Reference books provide a general overview of the topic and help you develop a list of research targets – people, places, dates, events, publications – related to your topic. As you become familiar with this information it helps develop research questions and tighten the focus on your topic. Finding Good Sources
Reference Sources –Biographical References • Detailed information about famous, infamous or noteworthy people. • The A-Z of Native American Women • 20th Century Writers, 1900-1950 • Dare to dream! : 25 extraordinary lives • Soccer Stars
Reference Sources–Databases • What is it? A database is an electronic collection of information which is organized in a way that makes it easy to search. Database are great tools when you have narrowed your topic and you know what you are looking for. • Advantages: Database searches, unlike Google, are more targeted, have no advertisements and information is screened for credibility before inclusion.
Reference Sources–Databases • Check with your Librarian or look at your library webpage! CFB holds subscriptions to several databases that are accessible from both home and school. http://cfbstaff.cfbisd.edu/librarysmith/ • Dr. Elizabeth Figa,Professor of Library and Information Science @ North Texas has compiled a fabulous list of Biography resources. http://www.courses.unt.edu/efiga/Resources/Resources.htm#Biographical%20Sources
Reference Sources –Documentaries, Film, Audio • Media may be primary or secondary sources and can be a rich source of biographical information • Documentary • Newscast • Interviews • speeches
Keeping Track of Sources • Keep careful track of the websites you use!!! Keep a log detailing the following information: • Name of the Website • Page within the website • Author • Date and time you accessed the website • The URL of the PAGE you used.