Research_Tools

Research Tools

**__ Online Databases __** These resources are provided free by the State Library of Kansas. There are lots of databases available for all ages, kids through adults, on many, many topics. Below I have listed the ones that will be most helpful to you. This includes //access to magazines, newspapers, journals, ebooks, audio and video files NOT available on the free Web.//

//**EB**//**SCO //Products://**

= **State Library Databases** @http://www.kslib.info/students = This gives you access to the state-sponsored databases without having to put in a password (when searching from within Kansas).


 * Explora High School is the best for general searches. Need help using Explora? Watch a brief video explaining "What is Explora?" and how it can be useful to students, or watch an online tutorial on how to use Explora.**



Explora searches ALL the content listed below, or you can access the content individually by clicking the links below.
 * EBSCO Nonfiction eBook Collection
 * History Reference Center (articles, videos, and primary source documents: historical images, government documents, historical video)
 * Literary Reference Center (author information, biographies, literary criticism)
 * MasterFile (academic and popular magazines: Time, Newsweek, Consumer Reports, etc.)
 * MAS Ultra (articles -- best general database for high school research)


 * List of available EBSCO Databases

= MAGAZINES = Look at full-text articles from individual issues (listed chronologically on right side of screen, newest issues at the top) or click on "search within this publication" to search within all available issues of the magazine.

American Heritage -- 1990-2012 (html only - no pictures, unformatted) / Print copies in the SHS Library: 1960-1996, no index.

American History -- 1994-present (pdf and html) / Print copies in the SHS Library: 1980-2007, index 1954-1999.

Christian Science Monitor -- 1995-present

Newsweek -- 1990 - 12/31/2012

Time Magazine -- 1990-present

U.S. News & World Report -- 1990 - 12/31/2010

Looking for a magazine or journal not listed above (or the links above don't work for you)? Go to @http://kslib.info/students and click on "Journal Finder" (on the right of the screen under the heading "Database Tools"). Type in the name of the journal or magazine you're looking for, then click on a link to enter a databases that features that resource. You can look at full-text articles from individual issues (listed chronologically on right side of screen, newest issues at the top) or click on "search within this publication" to search within all available issues of the magazine.

Here is a screencast that shows you how to access //American Heritage// and //American History// through the Ebsco online databases. You can still use the print copies in the library, of course. The database gives you access to more articles, and you can search for topics you're interested in like presidents, athletes, Civil War, or John F. Kennedy. The American History publication is still being published, so there are up-to-date articles available.
 * ATTENTION JUNIORS WORKING ON ARTICLE SUMMARIES FOR AMERICAN HISTORY CLASS: **

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DOWNLOAD these resources from Mrs. Brownlee to help you in the search process:

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 * Explains how to access the databases from school or from any computer with Internet access. Also includes helpful search tips. Ask your librarian for password information for ebooks.
 * Searching a database is very different from using a search engine. This worksheet will help you create successful database searches by leading you through the process of finding related terms / keywords and using phrase searching and Boolean operators.

**__Search Tips__**

Using " " for a phrase search and using Boolean operators (AND OR NOT - +) can help you find what you're searching for in databases or search engines.


 * This video gives some excellent search tips: Web Search Strategies in Plain English (from Common Craft)

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 * This video explains Boolean searching.

**__Other Great Resources__** (articles, images, video clips, suggested web sites)


 * For an online encyclopedia, try Britannica Online or encyclopedia.com
 * Howstuffworks.com is great for understanding...well, the name pretty much says it all!
 * Merriam-Webster Dictionary & Thesaurus** A free site that lets you look up word meanings and synonyms.
 * National Geographic MapMachine Great online maps.
 * CIA World Factbook Up-to-date country facts.