Research Worksheet

1. List as many keywords that you can think of that are associated with your topic. (This can include people, places, names, etc.)

2. Do you recognize or notice any terms that are interesting to you? List them below. Do you want to add any terms?

3. In the space below, create a search string by inserting the terms that you like. Create at least three. It does not have to contain three words. a. ______and ______and ______b. ______and ______and ______c. ______and ______and ______4. Navigate to http://sls-library.wikispaces.com and identify the column that is titled “Journal Articles and More.”

5. Scroll down the page and click on the link titled OED or “Oxford English Dictionary.”

a. Select a term that you wrote down:______. b. Log into the database the using the username “stlouishs” and the password, “stlouishs” c. In the search box type in your term and press return. d. Scroll down the list and select the most appropriate definition for the word that you selected. Write down the definition here.

6. How would you use the definition of the word that you selected? What meaning does it have to the topic that you chose? Describe your thoughts here.

7. Return to the library homepage (http://sls-library.wikispaces.com). Identify the database titled “Ebsco.” 8. Login in to the Ebsco database using the username: “Bertram” and password: “Bertram.”

9. You should be at the page that is titled – “Student Research Center.” 10. Click the “uncheck” button on the page. Then check off “magazines” and “newspapers.”

11. In the search box, enter a search string that you created in question #3. If you are searching for a specific phrase (for example Jim Crow), make sure you place quotation marks around it (“Jim Crow” or “Plessy vs Ferguson”). Click enter.

12. Record here how many items the database retrieved: ______.

13. Select two or more articles (listen to instructions).

14. Email the articles to yourself (listen to instructions).

15. Locate the link on the library homepage that identifies “Oxford Reference Online.” Click on it.

16. When prompted, type in the username and password – stlouishs.

You should see this page. Click on the link titled “History.” 17. After clicking on “history.” You should see this page:

Select the option titled “The Oxford Companion to United States History.” In the quick search box, enter the terms that you have selected that apply to your topic. For example, you can enter: segregation and “Jim Crow”

18. What did you find? Is your article helpful? If so, email the item to yourself. 19. You may opt to explore other books within the “history” subject reference area and experiment with using your keywords. 20. Once you are done, return to the library home page.

21. At the library homepage, identify the Oxford American National Biography located under the heading Biographies. Click on the link:

Enter the username and password “stlouishs.” You should see the following page: In the quick search box, enter the name of a person for whom you would like to search. For example, enter John Brown.

Click on the link that shows “Brown, John (9 May 1800-2 Dec. 1859), Abolitionist. Click on the link. What do you see?

22. Use this database to find biographical data on important people that have been involved in America’s past. Try a search with someone whom you have identified that is important to your topic. 23. Once you have found an article email it to yourself. 24. Return to the library homepage (http://sls-library.wikispaces.com). 25. Identify the link for Encyclopedia Britannica by looking under the category titled “Reference.”

This is the page you should see. Click on the “view this level” link.

In the search box, type in your search string or a term that pertains to your topic. The encyclopedia not only contains historical data, but also biographical data, as well as information about United States geography, topography and statistics. 26. After you enter your search term, press select an article that pertains to your topic. For example, type in “Jim Crow.” Select two articles.

27. After you have selected two articles, email them to yourself.

28. Return to the library homepage. In the left hand column. Click on the graphic titled “Salem History Trial.”

Login using the password “bertramlib” 29. You should see the following page:

In the search box, enter a keyword, term or search string that pertains to your topic. For example, enter “segregation and blacks.”

Select two articles, review them and then email them to yourself. This screen presents the options for emailing, printing or downloading your selected articles.

Congratulations! You have finished the first portion of learning to use five different databases. The second portion of this tutorial will show you how to correctly write out your citations and briefly explain about paraphrasing.