Using the Library

Many people see the library as obsolete with the advent of internet research, but that is far from the truth. There are many print resources that you cannot access online and for an in-depth research project you would be remiss if you overlook library resources. Besides finding printed material, you will find reference librarians who are very helpful in locating various source materials for any topic you can name. Here are a few reasons to use the library versus the internet.

• You can focus more of your time on research, instead of trying to decide if the information you find is true. Reliability is important.
• Most Microfilm is not available online and would have to be obtained at your library.
• Many print sources are not available online because it is not financially advantageous for authors and publishers to provide this service.

Using the Libraries Online Resources

• Some libraries have digitized archival resources and also provide access to their special collections online.
• Your library can also give you access to online subscription databases that you would not be able to use without your library card. Some of these are accessible via your home computer with your student ID number/password; others can only be accessed at the library.
• Don't overlook the library as a quiet place to study - but check it out to make sure their facilities, hours of operation, and patronage frequency are conducive to your study plan.

Research on the Internet

When writing a short paper on a general topic or on a current topic, the Internet can be a wonderful tool. Being able to access the information at home saves both time and money. As long as the student finds several resources and checks their validity, using the internet makes sense. There are several ways to evaluate the credibility of online sources such as:

• Evaluating the validity of their documentation. Do they document their sources and are they scholarly?
• Are the links valid and up-to-date? Follow a few of them to see where they lead.
• Can you tell who the author is and can you contact them?
• Can you tell how old the information is and if it is still valid. Does it contain the latest statistics for your subject? If your subject is health related, does it include the last medicine or treatment for disease? Using outdated web pages can pose a serious problem if you base your research conclusions on old data.
• Sites maintained by state and local government and academic institutions are normally trustworthy.
• What is the purpose of the site? Is the information slanted for personal gain?
• What are the affiliations of the author? Is the author an academic, or is this a personal blog that has turned into a commercial web site for personal gain?

Plagiarism and the Internet

You commit plagiarism when you use others’ ideas and words without clearly acknowledging them as the source of those ideas and words. Plagiarism is serious and can be a reason for failing a course or expulsion from school. The Internet has a wealth of information at the click of a mouse, and because of this plagiarism has become a widespread problem. Many colleges and universities use anti-plagiarism software to evaluate term papers and other written assignments. The best way to avoid plagiarism is to know what constitutes plagiarism at your school. Some students plagiarize unknowingly, which is not an excuse.

• Don’t put yourself in the position to cheat. Lack of time management skills doesn’t constitute a reason to do things illegally.
• Know what plagiarism is before you start gathering sources for your project.
• If you are unsure on how to cite a particular source, look in the style guide that is used by your instructor or ask the instructor.
• Don't be tempted by "paper mills", online retailers of pre-written term papers, or other homework assignments. Most likely your instructors can spot these quick-fix solutions to poor time management.

Footnotes and References

There are various style guides available to help structure your paper and to cite sources. The most common are APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian Citation Guide for Writers, and AMA. In most cases your instructor will have a preference, so be sure and find out which they prefer.

• Once you find out the style guide to use, use it consistently throughout the paper.
• If your style manual doesn’t include your type of source, ask your instructor.
• When gathering your sources for your paper, try and locate as many primary sources as possible.
• Many schools are now requiring students to be computer literate - testing or requiring a demonstration of computer literacy, which may include the use of certain word processing software. The most popular word processing software has an excellent footnote option that will help you to annotate your work as you write.