Online Databases2009-2010

My name is Barb RandolphLibrary Media SpecialistBurleigh Manor Middle

Items in Pink are High School Only

How do you know if you have found a Good Reference Source?

Things to Consider:

AuthorityIs the author an expert on the subject?Is the book from a respected publisher?Does the website give you author information?

BiasIs the source trying to persuade you or inform you?If the source is a website, is it an advertisement disguised as information?

CitationsIs there a bibliography included?Are you led to additional sources of information?Is the information taken out of context?

CurrencyHow current is the information?Copyright of book/Update for websiteIs currency an issue for your topic?

EfficiencyIs the book or website well laid out,?Is there an index or site map?Does the site show you citation information?

Working Knowledge of TopicDo you know exactly what you are looking for online? If not, you can get bogged down with useless hits on the topic.Do some background reading using World Book, for example, to gain understanding and gather keywords on the topic.

For access to the Databases through CLCGo to Content SupportOnline Resource LinksRight click on PC or Control click on MacYou’ll get a pop-up menuSelect Add to Desktop

ABC-CLIO American Government and American History

http:www.socialstudies.abc-clio.com

For American History, be sure to look at Tools in the top right.

CultureGramsAfghanistan to Zimbabwe

http://online.culturegrams.com

DiscoveryStreaming

http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm

Howard County Library

http://www.hclibrary.org/index.php?page=74

Noodletools

Used to create bibliographies.

http://www.noodletools.com/login.php

When logged in, click on this icon to get to the tutorials.

Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center is a source for information on social issues. Includes access to viewpoint articles, topic overviews, statistics, primary source documents, links to websites, and full-text magazine and newspaper articles.http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/fult77531

SIRS Knowledge Source and SIRS DecadesSIRS = Social Issues Resource Series

http://sks.sirs.com

Science Resource Center provides a one-stop resource for all science-related research needs. This resource focuses on key concepts including earth science, science history, life science, physical science, space, science and technology.

Student Resource Center containing thousands of curriculum-targeted primary documents, biographies, topical essays, background information, critical analyses, full-text coverage of over 1,000 magazines, newspapers, over 20,000 photographs and illustrations, and more than 8 hours of audio and video clips.

http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/elli29115

TeachingBooks.net is a portal to thousands of online book-related resources. In addition to information about young adult books and their authors, it provides access to short movies, audio book readings, and book discussion guides that add a multimedia dimension to reading.http://www.teachingbooks.net/signin.cgi

Turnitin

Students and teachers use this tool to check work for plagiarism.

http://www.turnitin.com

You will need your school’s account ID to create a personal account.

World Book Online Reference Center

Excellent starting point for research.

http://www.worldbookonline.com

http://web.mac.com/barbararandolph/BMMS_Library/Online_Databases.html