Schindel's Project: Six Things to Know About Researching: Home

Hover over Kansans on the top menu. Scroll down to Online Databases and click (don't do the fly out). Databases available in the middle of page.

If you are home, you might need the info below to log in:

• Library e-Card: 465828

• Birthdate: 09011965

Depending on your topic, select the appropriate database category. Great ones to use for general categories include Explora Multi-Search and Britannica Public Library.

Username: SMSouthhs

Password: raiders

A bunch of database tiles show up, pick the appropriate one for your topic.

Worlds News Digest and Issues & Controversies are the best to search for general topics.

Log in with your school Google account

If this is your first time, you might have to pick SM South and fill out a couple of questions.

Create a new project and sources from there.

• Username: shawnee1
• Password: resource

Go below the list of databases and look at the tiles. Choose the appropriate database for your topic. Issues and World History: The Modern Era are the best for general research.

If you need to search the internet for your topic, here are a few tricks.

• Avoid clicking on anything that says: AD (usually at the top of the search)
• Use .edu or .org to focus on reliable sources
• Use Google Scholar if you want some serious research hits
• Most internet sites will not provide a citation, so use the Noodle Tools "fill in the blank" for that

Use the CRAP Test

Currency

• How old is the info?
• When was the site last updated?
• Is it current enough for your project?

Reliability

• What is the origin of this information?
• Does the info come from a school or government organization? (.edu, .gov, .org)
• Why do you trust this source?

Authority

• Is there a specific author listed?
• Is there contact info for the author?
• What knowledge or skill does the author have on the topic?

Purpose

• What is the motive of the site?
• Does the site attempt to inform you and present all sides of an issue?
• Is the cite free of bias and not trying to sell you something?