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General Research Considerations & Evaluating Information
Critical Thinking
An introduction to evaluating all information you encounter. Document provided by Middletown Thrall Library (PDF format - view with Adobe Reader)
Copyright and Intellectual Property
A concise guide to copyright issues and considerations of interest to anyone working with information. (PDF format - view with Adobe Reader)
How to Write a Research Paper
Leads you step by step through the process.
How to Write a Research Paper in 10 Easy Steps
Tips and ideas from enotes.com.
Nesbitt-Johnston Writing Center from Hamilton College: (see links below)
This college website provides a variety of helpful guides: "The Writing Process", "Organizing Your Paper and Writing for Specific Disciplines", "Introductions and Thesis Statements", "Avoiding Plagiarism", and "Footnotes."
A Research Guide for Students
Includes many styles such as MLA, APA, Chicago Manual of Style, Columbia Guide to Online Style, and others.
Researchers
Overview of services and resources available to researchers at Middletown Thrall Library. (PDF format - view with Adobe Reader)
Urban Legends
Learn about urban legends and consider the possibility some "information" you encounter might be a rumor, lie, or a hoax.
Writing a Research Paper
Choosing a Topic, Identifying an Audience, and more tips. From Purdue University.

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Citations and Style Guides
The Chicago Manual of Style Quick Guide
A concise guide from the publishers of this popular style guide for writers and researchers.
Citation Style for Research Papers
From Long Island University, this website has citation guides for APA, MLA (Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 7th ed.; MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing, 3rd ed.), Turabian, Chicago, and AMA.
The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr.
Online edition of the classic writing guide complete with rules of composition and tips for improved writing. Provided by Bartleby.com.
Electronic References: Electronic Media and URLs and Citations in Text of Electronic Material
APA style citation guide for Internet researchers. From the American Psychological Association (APA).
MLA Formatting and Style Guide
This resource, updated to reflect the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (6th ed.) and the MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing (2nd ed.), offers examples for the general format of MLA research papers, in-text citations, endnotes/footnotes, and the Works Cited page.
Noodletools
An integrated note-taking and documentation program with both free and subscription services. Fill in your specific source data and one tool will format it in MLA or APA style.



Online Research (Internet / Web / Electronic)

General Online Research Considerations
Critical Thinking
An introduction to evaluating all information you encounter. Document provided by Middletown Thrall Library (PDF format - view with Adobe Reader)
Copyright and Intellectual Property
A concise guide to copyright issues and considerations of interest to anyone working with information. (PDF format - view with Adobe Reader)
How do I document sources from the Web in the works-cited list for my research paper?
MLA style citation guide for Internet researchers. From the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page of the MLA (Modern Language Association, publisher of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers).
QUICK Information Checklist
If you want to evaluate a website, here are eight ways of checking if the information is accurate and useful for you.
SourceWatch
"SourceWatch is a collaborative project of the Center for Media and Democracy to produce a directory of the people, organizations and issues shaping the public agenda. A primary purpose of SourceWatch is documenting the PR and propaganda activities of public relations firms and public relations professionals engaged in managing and manipulating public perception, opinion and policy. SourceWatch also includes profiles on think tanks, industry-funded organizations and industry-friendly experts that work to influence public opinion and public policy on behalf of corporations, governments and special interests. Over time, SourceWatch has broadened to include others involved in public debates including media outlets, journalists, government agencies, activists and nongovernmental organizations."
Web Checklist
Things to think about when doing any kind of web-based research. Document provided by Middletown Thrall Library. (PDF format - view with Adobe Reader)
Search Smarter, Better
Some helpful hints and other information to consider when searching or typing your keywords into a search engine. (PDF format - view with Adobe Reader)
Urban Legends
Learn about urban legends and consider the possibility some "information" you encounter might be a rumor, lie, or a hoax.


Current Events Sources
Current Interests Center
A directory of major news media, government, and other sources on currently hot topics. Directory provided by Middletown Thrall Library.
Special Coverage Center
In-depth coverage concerning a wide variety of topics currently in the news, such as climate change / global warming, the global economic crisis, colony collapse disorder (CCD), human rights, and much more. Provided by Middletown Thrall Library.


Research Databases on the Web
Databases: What They Are and Why You You Should Use Them
(PDF format - view with Adobe Reader)
Databases: Literature and Literary Criticism
Need to find some information, criticism, or interpretations on a major literary work? Or do you need information about an author or her or his writings? Check out these databases.
Databases: General Research
Use these when researching topics not covered by any of our specialized databases, encyclopedias, or Virtual Reference Library items.
Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center
Great for researching various positions on a certain hot topic or controversial subject.
Sirs Knowledge Source
Also great for researching various positions on a certain hot topic or controversial subject.



Virtual Reference Library
Middletown Thrall Library's Virtual Reference Library
Items in the Virtual Reference Library are owned by Thrall and are an electronic (web-based) equivalent of the actual book as it was published in print. Categories of available information include: Arts, Biography, Business, Environment, History, Law, Literature, Medicine, Multicultural Studies, Nation and World, Religion, Science, and Social Science.



Websites - Finding & Evaluating
Critical Thinking
An introduction to evaluating all information you encounter. Document provided by Middletown Thrall Library (PDF format - view with Adobe Reader)
Web Checklist
Things to think about when doing any kind of web-based research. Document provided by Middletown Thrall Library. (PDF format - view with Adobe Reader)
Web Guides
If you specifically need web-based information when doing research, please try our web guides first before resorting to any search engine. Also consider using our free Ask a Librarian service on the web to ask for more websites and information on your research topic.
Search Smarter, Better
Some helpful hints and other information to consider when searching or typing your keywords into a search engine. (PDF format - view with Adobe Reader)
Urban Legends
Learn about urban legends and consider the possibility some "information" you encounter might be a rumor, lie, or a hoax.




Writing a research paper? See also:


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