Research for High Schools at The CCNY Libraries

1. Research for High Schools at The CCNY Libraries Jacqueline Gill Associate Professor Reference 212-650-6089 jgill@ccny.cuny.edu http://learningthelibrary.com Click the down or up arrows on your BROWSER to move forwards backwards OR click the screen

2. Main Idea • What am I trying to say? What is my idea? • Structure your search. • Where can you get ideas? • Your interests, the things you have been reading, and conversations you have had in class or with others are often good sources of ideas.

3. Finding Background Information • The World Book Encyclopedia (AE5 .W55 1990) • New Encyclopedia Britannica (AE5 .E363 1998) • World Almanac and Book of Facts (AY67 .N5 W7) • Time Almanac (AY 64 .I552) • Webster's new geographical dictionary (G103.5 .W42 1984) • Geography: a reference handbook (G103 .L76 1972)

4. Refining Your Topic • Once you have found some background information, you can refine your broad research topic into a narrow, focused topic. The sooner you can develop a broad subject into a focused topic, the sooner you can shape your research into a finished paper.  • On the other hand, if your subject is too focused or detailed, you may have a hard time finding enough sources to write an acceptable paper. In this case, to need to broaden your topic.  • If you need assistance refining your topic, please consult any reference librarian.

5. Narrowing your Topic • A topic that covers too much material is a common problem for students. Depending on your interests, a general topic can be focused in many ways. For example, if you want to do a paper on Nile Valley, consider the following questions: • What do you already know about this subject? • Is there a specific time period you want to cover? • Is there a particular aspect of this topic that interests you? For example, culture, historical influence, sociological aspects, etc.

6. Search for Information • Books • http://www.ccny.cuny.edu/library/CUNYplus.html • CUNY Licensed Resources • http://www.ccny.cuny.edu/library/Menu.html • CIA World Factbook 2002 • http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/ • Primary Sources • First hand accounts of events, like diaries, letters, interviews, and memoirs, are called primary sources • Review Articles • Review articles summarize the current state of research on a subject • Statistics • Lexis-Nexis (NY Times and other newspapers) • Internet • Google http://www.google.com • Geography IQ http://www.geographyiq.com • City College Library Site http://www.ccny.cuny.edu/library

7. Evaluating Sources • Scholarly sources • Diversity • Date of Publication

8. Evaluating Sources • Scholarly Sources • Support your argument • Include a variety of viewpoints and materials • referred journals, references

9. Evaluating Sources • Diversity • Variety is necessary. Include many different resources • books, articles, newspapers, interviews, websites

10. Date of Publication • When was the source published? • Current Events ResearchUse resources that are recent and reflect current attitudes. • Include articles published within the last 5 years • Historical ResearchUse a variety of resources from different time periods including both Primary and Secondary resource

11. Additional research assistance • When you begin your research in the City College library stop by the Reference Desk and a librarian will be glad to assist you. PowerPoint Tutorials