Doing a research or term paper can be a daunting task, but if you have an idea of where to start it can be easier. This list will enumerate a few of the sources available at the Jervis Library. It covers everything from finding a topic to formatting the bibliography. This is just a sampling of items available. If you need additional sources, please see the librarian at the Information Desk.
ACLU Freedom Network. <http://www.aclu.org> Viewed on 8/8/02.
This site provides the ACLU's views on controversial subjects with online press release archives and lists of organizations to contact for further information.
Culture Wars: Opposing Viewpoints. 306.097 GRU.
This volume includes essays on many controversial issues as well as lists of journalarticles and books to consult for further reading, discussion questions, andorganizations to contact for further information.
Lamm, Kathryn. 10,000 Ideas for Term Papers, Projects, and Reports. REF 808.02 LAM
This book includes an introduction of helpful hints for writers of papers, but isprimarily a listing of topics in alphabetical order. Under each topic is a list of possible questions or research topics that apply to the subject. Each research question is identified by a symbol indicating the ease with which information will be found and the size and type of library in which the information will be found. This is a terrific source to browse for a topic. An older edition is available for circulation.
Lester, James D. Writing Research Papers. 808.02 LES
Although this covers the entire process of writing a research paper, the first chapter has an excellent guide to narrowing down a topic. Chapter two lists some reference sources to help with background information the chosen topic
Miller, Walter James. 1001 Ideas for English Papers. REF 820.76 MIL
What makes this book so useful is that it is indexed by particular author orwork. This allows the student to look up the work or author of interest and go right to a list of suggested research topics on the author or work. Alsoindexed are subjects, allowing the student to choose a topic and go to a list ofworks that may be used in the research. This reference work covers drama,fiction, poetry, non-fiction, music, art science, history, and current affairs.
Research Paper Directory. < http://www.researchpaper.com/directory.html> Viewed on 8/8/02.
This part of ResearchPaper.com seems to be the only part still readily available. Other parts seem to be out of date. This is a browsable directory of research paper topics.
Social Issues. <http://www.multcolib.org/homework/sochc.html> Viewed on 8/8/02.
Not only does this page from Multnomah County Library give a great list of topics, it also links to information on the web about each topic. Don't miss it!
Social Issues. <http://www.jervislibrary.org/yaweb/socialissues.html> Viewed on 8/8/02.
This is Jervis Library's supplement to the Multnomah Library's list of resources.
Using an Index
An index is a tool used to find articles pertaining to a particular subject. The library will not necessarily subscribe to all of the journals in which you find articles, so be prepared to wait for articles through interlibrary loan. This means you should prepare ahead of time for any assignments in order to get the best variety of information on your topic.
Print Indexes
The print indexes are arranged alphabetically by subject. Look up the subject to find a list of articles addressing the subject. Printed indexes usually cover a short period of time per volume, usually a year. This makes it necessary to look in many volumes to find articles on a topic. It may also be necessary to use a few different words to describe your subject before you find it. For example, you may use transportation and cars before finding that the relevant articles are listed under automobiles.
Electronic Indexes
The electronic databases available at the library are always changing, so please ask a librarian for assistance. Also feel free to ask for assistance in getting to the databases or using them. The databases listed are ones with a general scope. They are useful for many different subjects and topics unlike the specialized print indexes mentioned above. Advantages of electronic databases over printed indexes include searching through many years at once and the ability to link two concepts together. For example, rather than looking up alcoholism and scanning the titles for articles that may address teenage alcoholism, an electronic database allows to search only for articles that involve both teenagers and alcoholism.
Journal (Magazine) Articles:
Dialog@CARL is an article database available from home or in the library via Mid-York Library System's homepage at http://www.midyork.org. Like EBSCO, this is good for many different subjects.
EBSCO MasterFile is available through the Mid-York Library system's homepage at http://www.midyork.org/. This is an electronic database which indexes articles in popular and scholarly magazines. Some of the magazine articles are available in full text. For a list of which magazines are in full text, please see a librarian. This database is accessible in the library and from your home computer with a Mid-York Library System library card. The Mid-York Library System subscribes to this database and allows access only to registered library card holders.
This is the print guide to articles in more popular magazines than the other databases discussed. The library subscribes to many of the magazines indexed by the Readers' Guide. These volumes are located on a table in front of the Information Desk. Volumes before 1966 are in storage. Please ask a librarian for assistance.
Newspaper Articles:
- New York Times Index
The library had the New York Times Index in print format available in the Reference section from 1940 to the present. For earlier years, please ask at the Information Desk.
- Index to the Rome Daily Sentinel (limited dates covered)
An index to the Rome Daily Sentinel is available. Coverage is limited to 1992 to the present. For earlier coverage, please ask at the Information Desk.
Cambridge Rindge and Latin School Guide to the Research Process <http://www.crlsresearchguide.org>. Viewed 5/24/07.
This site presents a detailed listing of the 23 basic steps in the research process.
Communication Skills Writing Program. <http://www.engl.niu.edu/comskills/>. Viewed 8/8/02.
This site provides review of editing, usage, and grammar as well as a section to quiz yourself. Created by Northern Illinois University.
Copyright Information from the United States Copyright Office.
<http://www.copyright.gov> Viewed 10/20/06
University of Texas Crash Course in Copyright.
<http://www.utsystem.edu/ogc/Intellectualproperty/cprtindx.htm#top>
Harnack, Andrew. Writing Research Papers. 808.02 HAR
Produced for use with the Opposing Viewpoints series, this is an excellentsource for the high school or beginning college research paper. Subjectscovered include taking notes, expanding your research to specialized resources,organizing the paper, evaluating the paper, presenting your research, andcreating a bibliography using the MLA format.
Leggett, Glenn. Prentice Hall Handbook for Writers. 808.042 LEG
This book covers the mechanics of putting together sentences, putting thepaper together, and citing sources.
Lester, James D. The Research Paper Handbook.808.02 LES
This covers writing a paper in detail from taking notes, creating an outline, and citing in APA style. It includes helpful examples of good writing, outlines, and bibliographic citations.
The New York Public Library Writer's Guide to Style and Usage. 808.027 NEW
This volume covers the basics of putting sentences together, preparingcitations, dealing with foreign language materials, and final production of thepaper using a computer.
Turabian, Kate. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. REF 808.02 TUR
Turabian's manual is aimed at a an audience with intentions to write scholarly papers. Because of this, the manual is detailed and comprehensive with an excellent index. This is for the serious researcher; circulating copies areavailable.
Walker, Melissa. Writing Research Papers. 808.02 WAL
Sample papers in three disciplines (humanities, social sciences, and science) make this source an excellent choice. Also included is an example of a roughdraft and the editorial process. This text also covers bibliographic citation in MLA format.
Li, Xia and Nancy B. Crane. Electronic Styles. REF 808.027 LI
Electronic Style tackles the issue of properly citing information found electronically including information from web sites, email messages,newsgroups, and full text databases. This is an indispensable source fortoday's research sources; a circulating copy is available.
Gibaldi, Joseph. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 808.02 GIB
Although this covers grammar and structure of the research paper, its primaryuse is for detailed coverage of the use of MLA citation in bibliographies.
Schwartz, Linda Smoak. Harcourt Guide to MLA Documentation. 808.02 SCH
MLA Formatting and Style Guide <http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/01/>
APA Formatting and Style Guide <http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/>
Classroom Connect Guide to citing Internet resources <http://www.classroom.com/community/connection/howto/citeresources.jhtml>
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