Don't hit the panic button! This page is here to help!
 

Getting started

First you need a plan!  Let one of these research models help you organize the process and see how it all fits together.
 
 

These sites give even more information on the steps you need to take:
The Big Six: 6 valuable steps to solving your information needs (best for elementary grades)
The Research Cycle: an easy to use chart that describes the research process steps
Flip-IT: 4 easy steps to follow to get the job done.
SUCCEED: Another research process that breaks the process down even further. 

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Organizing your thoughts

What should I look up? Help in focusing your topic.

Developing a research question: What should I look up?
Do you have access to Inspiration?This software helps to brainstorm ideas
Fact Finder Worksheet to help you know what to look up (for Grades K-5)
Note Taking Sheet to organize your information and help keep track of where it came from

Graphic organizers help you to organize your thoughts, your data and your material.
        Pick a graphic organizer that works for your assignment. Many to choose from at this site:  Graphic Organizers

KWHL sheet Organize your thoughts by printing out one of these sheets to list what you already know, what you want to know, how you will find out and what you learned.

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Online Reference tools  to help you

Webster's Dictionary and Thesaurus 
Rhyming Dictionary
InfoPlease Almanac
Encyclopedias free online: 
         Basic encyclopedia: Encyclopedia.com
         Solid information: Columbia Encyclopedia
      More detailed: Encarta (an abridged version of their CD)
Bartlett's Familiar Quotations
Atlas: Atlapedia: maps, country information and more!
Biographical dictionary
Bartleby's: Links to many other reference sources
Currency Converter
Maps:  Links to all kinds of maps from all over the world
Language translator: Translate words into 6 different languages
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Using the right information tool

How can you decide which information tool is best for your project? 

You have lots of choices: books, magazines, newspapers, interviews with people, 
videos, television, CD-ROMs, or the Internet.

Which information source should I use? This chart is a guide to choosing the right tool for the job. 
Primary vs Secondary Sources: What's the difference?
 
 

Magazines Online: 
Magazines Online: Links to hundreds of magazines that can be found online

MagPortal: A database of thousands of magazine articles that have been posted online. Users can easily search for a topic and print out the articles that are useful. 

Newsweek: The full text of all editions of Newsweek since February, 1997 are available free through Search. 
 
 

Electric Library  Subscribe to this service and get access to magazines, newspapers. tv transcripts and more
 
 
 

If you live in Rhode Island,try this:

Use Infotrac to search thousands of magazine articles at home. All you need is a public library card from any public library in the state!  (Just enter your card number with no spaces when asked) So cool.....so FREE!
 

Newspapers Online
Daily news from the New York Times: summaries of the major news stories each day.
Newspapers from around the world
Newspapers Online: from Yahoo
First Headlines: Headline news stories from around the  world 
 

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Libraries online

These library sites are good places to start:
East Greenwich Public Library Many useful links at this site.
Internet Public Library: a wealth of information for everyone!
The Library of Congress research tools.

If you live in Rhode Island, you can try this library site:
CLAN (Cooperating Libraries of Rhode Island): Search for materials in public libraries in Rhode Island. You can even reserve books to be picked up at some libraries. 

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Use the Internet

Internet sites with tons of well organized information!
These sites will help you find ANYTHING you need.

Homework Wizard: Let the Homework Wizard  guide you through your projects.
BJ Pinchbeck's web site: "If you can't find it here, then you just can't find it."
Jim Thorpe High School : alphabetical list of many useful topics. 
Library spot: The place to find just about anything online.
Librarian's Index to the Internet
 

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Using the  Search Engines

Overview of all the major search engines and their special features
Comparing the search engines
Search engine strategies
Choosing the best search engine for what YOU need
Teachers' Favorites: Google Ask Jeeves   MetaeurekaAlta Vista
 
 
 
 
 
 

Evaluating Internet Sites

So you used the Internet. How effective was it?
Web Site Evaluation for Elementary School  (Kathy Schrock) 
Web Site Evaluation for Middle School   (Kathy Schrock)
 
 
 

Completing your Project

Now put all your information together and write that paper!
A guide to writing your final paper
More great writing tips 
More research help
Bibliography guide  (A sample bibliography to help you cite your sources properly)
EasyBib.com   (Use this great site to create your bibliography online! You just have to type in the information!) 

Are you giving an ORAL PRESENTATION to the class? 
Here are some great tips! 
More great tips for oral presentations

Are you using PowerPoint to present your project to the class?
Here are some guidelines for creating an effective PowerPoint presentation
 

Evaluating Your Work

Here's some good advice: Read your paper out loud to a friend, sibling, parent, even your pet!  You'll get a good feeling for its strengths and weaknesses. 

What is PLAGIARISM and how can I be sure I avoided it?
Library research rubric: How well did I use my time in the library?
A research paper guide from Jim Thorpe High School

Don't lose points for missing parts! Do you have all the components required by your teacher? 
Title page? Introduction? Paragraphs with supporting detail? Bibliography or Works Cited in proper format? 

        Congratulations! You are well on your way to creating a great research project!