ESL 275

Choosing a topic and finding background information:

It's a good idea to begin your research by getting a working knowledge of your topic, which is a basic understanding of the concepts, vocabulary and issues surrounding your topic. Once you have a working knowledge of your topic, you will be better prepared to dig a little deeper. The library has specialized encyclopedias, dictionaries and handbooks in the Reference collection, which are good sources of background information. They can also be excellent resources to browse when you are choosing a topic to research.

• CQ Researcher: Reports on current, often controversial, issues. Summarizes current debate of provides sources for additional information
• Oxford Encyclopedia of Economic History (Reference Collection HC15.094 2003)
• Europa Yearbook (Reference Collection JN1.E85 2008)
• Cambridge World History of Food (Reference Collection TX353.C255 2000)
• Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations (Reference Collection G63.W67 2007)
• Encyclopedia of Global Change (Reference Collection GE149.E47 2002)
• Human Development Report 2006, Beyond Scarcity (Reference Collection HC59.7 .H83 2006)
• State of the World (Reference Collection HC59.S734 2008)
• McIntyre Online Catalog: limit your search to the Reference collection or include the word "encyclopedias" in a keyword search.
  Use broad or general terms under which your specific topic may be included. For example, if you are writing an article about nanotechnology, consider searching for a science or technology encyclopedia that will provide a concise, authoratative overview.
• Subject encyclopedias: Find subject encyclopedias in the McIntyre Library collection.
• Reference databases: online dictionaries, encyclopedias, directories, biographies, handbooks and more.

Citing Sources

• Formatting Citations: (MLA & APA examples)
• Documenting Sources from dianahacker.com (MLA) (APA)
• NoodleTools: generate citations online (APA and MLA)

Avoiding Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the failure--intentional or unintentional--to give someone else credit for his/her words, ideas or creative work. It can range from improperly documenting a source in a paper to downloading an entire paper from the Web and turning it in as your own work. Find out more:

• In Your Own Words (UW Eau Claire, McIntyre Library)
• Web Competency and Information Literacy (San Mateo Community College)
• Avoiding plagiarism, self-plagiarism, and other questionable writing practices: A guide to ethical writing (Miguel Roig, St. John's Univ.)

• Scholarly vs. popular journals: How to tell the difference
• Consider the Source: determine the quality/credibility of your information sources

• Taking a stand: resources for researching controversial issues and writing persuasive papers
• Library User's Manual