Finding Information
Writing a research paper may not seem like much fun at the time but it can teach you valuable skills that you will use in the future. Learning how to find, critically evaluate, and properly use all types of information is a core part of being a college student and will help in every aspect of your work and personal life. While you may know how to do an Internet search using Google, Yahoo, or Bing, do you know how to:
- evaluate a website or other source for credibility and reliability?
- avoid plagiarism by properly citing your sources in APA style and using them ethically and responsibly?
- find information in places other than the open Internet (Deep Web)?
If you are unsure of how or where to start you can set up a meeting with the library staff to get the process rolling.
Short animated video that talks about how to quickly evaluate a website.
a Research Guide from St. Louis Community College
Individual states offer residents free access to information resources, including subscription databases, through their state library. Use this list to find your state's resources; some will require you to login with your local library card.