Research Papers, Writing Term Papers - Ready Reference Center at Middletown Thrall Library - Web Research, Websites, Internet Resources

General Research Considerations & Evaluating Information

A concise guide to copyright issues and considerations of interest to anyone working with information. (PDF format - view with Adobe Reader)

Critical Thinking Skills

Learn to ask questions and evaluate information.

Hamilton College Style Sheet

This college website provides a variety of helpful guides:

Also available:

How to Write a Research Paper

Leads you step by step through the process.

How to Write a Research Paper in 10 Easy Steps

Tips and ideas from enotes.com.

How to Write a Term Paper

Topics include: choose a topic, craft a thesis, evaluate thesis and sources, identify a variety of information sources, take efficient notes, begin and organize a research paper, use parenthetical documentation, prepare a Works Cited page, draft and revise a research paper. From Gale Cengage Learning.

Planning and Writing a Research Paper

Sections include: Discovering, Narrowing, and Focusing a Researchable Topic; Finding, Selecting, and Reading Sources; Grouping, Sequencing, and Documenting Information; Writing an Outline and a Prospectus for Yourself; Writing the Introduction; Writing the Body; Writing the Conclusion; Revising the Final Draft. From The Writing Center, University of Wisconsin. See also their Common Types of Writing Assignments page for more tips and ideas.

A Research Guide for Students

Includes many styles such as MLA, APA, Chicago Manual of Style, Columbia Guide to Online Style, and others.

Researchers

Overview of services and resources available to researchers at Middletown Thrall Library. (PDF format - view with Adobe Reader)

Urban Legends

Learn about urban legends and consider the possibility some "information" you encounter might be a rumor, lie, or a hoax.

Writing a Research Paper

Choosing a Topic, Identifying an Audience, and more tips. From Purdue University.

Citations and Style Guides

APA Citation Examples: From the University of Maryland University College.
APA Style: From the Purdue Online Writing Center.
The Chicago Manual of Style Quick Guide: A concise guide from the publishers of this popular style guide for writers and researchers.
Citation Style for Research Papers: From Long Island University, this website has citation guides for APA, MLA (Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 7th ed.; MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing, 3rd ed.), Turabian, Chicago, and AMA. "Each segment of the citation is color coded. For instance, authors are in blue, book titles in pink, etc. making it quicker to identify each part."
Citing References in Your Paper: Sections include: Quoting and Paraphrasing Sources, APSA (American Political Science Association), APA (American Psychological Association), Chicago/Turabian, CBE (Council of Biology Editors), MLA (Modern Language Association), Numbered References. From The Writing Center, University of Wisconsin.
The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr.: Online edition of the classic writing guide complete with rules of composition and tips for improved writing. Provided by Bartleby.com.
Frequently Asked Questions about APA Style: "These FAQs will help clarify frequent areas of confusion." From the American Psychological Association.
MLA Formatting and Style Guide: This resource, updated to reflect the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (6th ed.) and the MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing (2nd ed.), offers examples for the general format of MLA research papers, in-text citations, endnotes/footnotes, and the Works Cited page.
Noodletools: An integrated note-taking and documentation program with both free and subscription services. Fill in your specific source data and one tool will format it in MLA or APA style.
Turabian Citation Guide: "These styles are essentially the same as those presented in The Chicago Manual of Style, 15th edition, with slight modifications for the needs of student writers." Based on Kate L. Turabian's Manual for Writers.

Online Research (Internet / Web / Electronic)

General Online Research Considerations

Copyright and Intellectual Property: A concise guide to copyright issues and considerations of interest to anyone working with information. (PDF format - view with Adobe Reader)
Critical Thinking Skills: Learn to ask questions and evaluate information.
SourceWatch: "SourceWatch is a collaborative project of the Center for Media and Democracy to produce a directory of the people, organizations and issues shaping the public agenda. A primary purpose of SourceWatch is documenting the PR and propaganda activities of public relations firms and public relations professionals engaged in managing and manipulating public perception, opinion and policy. SourceWatch also includes profiles on think tanks, industry-funded organizations and industry-friendly experts that work to influence public opinion and public policy on behalf of corporations, governments and special interests. Over time, SourceWatch has broadened to include others involved in public debates including media outlets, journalists, government agencies, activists and nongovernmental organizations."
Web Checklist: Things to think about when doing any kind of web-based research. Document provided by Middletown Thrall Library. (PDF format - view with Adobe Reader)
Search Smarter, Better: Some helpful hints and other information to consider when searching or typing your keywords into a search engine. (PDF format - view with Adobe Reader)
Urban Legends: Learn about urban legends and consider the possibility some "information" you encounter might be a rumor, lie, or a hoax.
Using Primary Sources on the Web: Topics include: What are Primary Sources, Finding Primary Sources on the Web, Evaluating Primary Source Web Sites, Citing Web Sites. From the American Library Association (ALA).

Current Events Sources

Current Interests Center: A directory of major news media, government, and other sources on currently hot topics. Directory provided by Middletown Thrall Library.
Special Coverage Center: In-depth coverage concerning a wide variety of topics currently in the news, such as climate change / global warming, the global economic crisis, colony collapse disorder (CCD), human rights, and much more. Provided by Middletown Thrall Library.

Research Databases on the Web

Databases: What They Are and Why You You Should Use Them: (PDF format - view with Adobe Reader)
Databases: Literature and Literary Criticism: Need to find some information, criticism, or interpretations on a major literary work? Or do you need information about an author or her or his writings? Check out these databases.
Databases: General Research: Use these when researching topics not covered by any of our specialized databases, encyclopedias, or Virtual Reference Library items.
Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center: Great for researching various positions on a certain hot topic or controversial subject.

See also:

Virtual Reference Library

Middletown Thrall Library's Virtual Reference Library: Items in the Virtual Reference Library are owned by Thrall and are an electronic (web-based) equivalent of the actual book as it was published in print. Categories of available information include: Arts, Biography, Business, Environment, History, Law, Literature, Medicine, Multicultural Studies, Nation and World, Religion, Science, and Social Science.

Websites - Finding & Evaluating

Critical Thinking Skills: Learn to ask questions and evaluate information.
Information Guides: From Middletown Thrall Library. If you specifically need web-based information when doing research, please try our guides first before resorting to any search engine. Also consider using our free Ask a Librarian service on the web to ask for more websites and information on your research topic.
Web Checklist: Things to think about when doing any kind of web-based research. Document provided by Middletown Thrall Library. (PDF format - view with Adobe Reader)
Search Smarter, Better: Some helpful hints and other information to consider when searching or typing your keywords into a search engine. (PDF format - view with Adobe Reader)
Urban Legends: Learn about urban legends and consider the possibility some "information" you encounter might be a rumor, lie, or a hoax.

Research

Doing Research, Writing Research Papers