English 110 -- Prof. Pace

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.

Some reference resources to get you started:

• CQ Researcher: Reports on current, often controversial, issues. Summarizes current debate of provides sources for additional information.
• Encyclopedia of Sex and Gender Reference HQ16 .E52 2007
• Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine Reference RC41 .G35 2006
• Sexually transmitted diseases (Center for Disease Control)

For more reference sources:

• 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, consider searching under sex or sexuality or education or health, etc., and the word encyclopedia to find subject encyclopedias that may provide concise, authoritative overviews.
• Subject encyclopedias: Find subject encyclopedias in the McIntyre Library collection.

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