Created by Mrs. WeldLCHS Librarian
Searching, Research & Citation Basics
Searching Basics
Boolean Operators
OR = will return items with one
term, the other term, or both
(broadens search)Ex: teacher OR educator
AND = will return item with BOTH terms
(broadens search)Ex: student AND parent
" " (quotation marks) = find this phrase exactly in this order (narrows search) Ex: "high school students"
NOT = will return items with the
first term but NOT the second
term (narrows search)Ex: student NOT teen
* You can use boolean operators for search engines (ex: Google) and databases (ex: EBSCO)
Searching Basics
Advanced searching and Filters
Use the filters to limit your results by source type, publication date, etc.
Advanced searching is useful when This search
type is useful to narrow down your topic and/or
find information about a specific topic.
No results? Try using the controlled vocabulary! Look at the subject headings to figure out what terms to use.
* Click the plus signs to see examples on EBSCO!
Source Evaluation
Stay away from outdated sources, highly biased sources, tabloids, and fake news.
C.R.A.A.P Method
Just think to yourself, "ls this C.R.A.A.P or is this legit?"
Use the C.R.A.A.P method to evaluate online sources.
In-Text Citations
The Basics
APA citations (social sciences) include the author's last name, date, and page number. Example: She stated, "Students often had difficulty using APA style" (Jones, 1998, p. 199), but she did not offer an explanation as to why.
Whenever you use other's words, thoughts, and ideas, you MUST cite it!
MLA citations (RLA) include the author's last name and page number. Example: Romantic poetry is characterized by the "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (Wordsworth 263).
Use in-text citations for direct quotes AND paraphrased information.
Works Cited (MLA) and Reference List (APA)
The format of the citation depends on the type of source.
Every in-text citation requires a citation in the works cited or refernce list. Each source you cite in the paper must appear in your works cited or reference list.
Citations are listed in alphabetical order and should have a hanging ident.
Sample MLA Paper
Sample APA Paper and Reference List
Sample Works Cited
Examples
APA
MLA
Sample APA Paper, 7th edition
Sample MLA Paper
Sample APA Paper, 6th edition
Sample MLA Works Cited
Click on the plus signs to see the examples.
Use this one for English!
Resources
* Ask if you need help! aweld@garlandisd.net
Purdue OWL
Dallas College How to Research Lib Guide
Dallas College Research Tutorials
Hinson, M. (2017). [Untitled comic]. Retrieved from https://www.buzzfeed.com/cassiesmyth/memes-only-students-will-understand
NGHS- Searching and Research Basics
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Created by Mrs. WeldLCHS Librarian
Searching, Research & Citation Basics
Searching Basics
Boolean Operators
OR = will return items with one term, the other term, or both (broadens search)Ex: teacher OR educator
AND = will return item with BOTH terms (broadens search)Ex: student AND parent
" " (quotation marks) = find this phrase exactly in this order (narrows search) Ex: "high school students"
NOT = will return items with the first term but NOT the second term (narrows search)Ex: student NOT teen
* You can use boolean operators for search engines (ex: Google) and databases (ex: EBSCO)
Searching Basics
Advanced searching and Filters
Use the filters to limit your results by source type, publication date, etc.
Advanced searching is useful when This search type is useful to narrow down your topic and/or find information about a specific topic.
No results? Try using the controlled vocabulary! Look at the subject headings to figure out what terms to use.
* Click the plus signs to see examples on EBSCO!
Source Evaluation
Stay away from outdated sources, highly biased sources, tabloids, and fake news.
C.R.A.A.P Method
Just think to yourself, "ls this C.R.A.A.P or is this legit?"
Use the C.R.A.A.P method to evaluate online sources.
In-Text Citations
The Basics
APA citations (social sciences) include the author's last name, date, and page number. Example: She stated, "Students often had difficulty using APA style" (Jones, 1998, p. 199), but she did not offer an explanation as to why.
Whenever you use other's words, thoughts, and ideas, you MUST cite it!
MLA citations (RLA) include the author's last name and page number. Example: Romantic poetry is characterized by the "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (Wordsworth 263).
Use in-text citations for direct quotes AND paraphrased information.
Works Cited (MLA) and Reference List (APA)
The format of the citation depends on the type of source.
Every in-text citation requires a citation in the works cited or refernce list. Each source you cite in the paper must appear in your works cited or reference list.
Citations are listed in alphabetical order and should have a hanging ident.
Sample MLA Paper
Sample APA Paper and Reference List
Sample Works Cited
Examples
APA
MLA
Sample APA Paper, 7th edition
Sample MLA Paper
Sample APA Paper, 6th edition
Sample MLA Works Cited
Click on the plus signs to see the examples.
Use this one for English!
Resources
* Ask if you need help! aweld@garlandisd.net
Purdue OWL
Dallas College How to Research Lib Guide
Dallas College Research Tutorials
Hinson, M. (2017). [Untitled comic]. Retrieved from https://www.buzzfeed.com/cassiesmyth/memes-only-students-will-understand