Lime Kiln Middle School Created by Janet Yarn 5/2009

Updated 2/2011
Lime Kiln Middle School Created by Janet Yarn 5/2009
Updated 2/2011
This handbook is designed to help you apply the steps of research to any
project by using the Big6 model.
You can save a copy of this book to your desktop and type information in the
book, however everything you type will be in red to denote changes to the
original text.

Table of Contents
Section 1: Big Six Steps

Section 2: Task Definition

Section 3: Topic Choice

Section 4: Test Drive

Section 5: Information Seeking Strategies

• Using the PAC library search
Using keywords in your search

Section 6: Location & Access

…Noodletools & Source Cards
• General Reference Sources
• Electronic Sources
• Evaluating Web Sources
• Periodicals & Newspapers

Section 7: Use of Information

• .Taking Notes

Section 8: Synthesis
• Plagiarism
• Citing Sources

Section 9: Evaluation
Lime Kiln Middle School Created by Janet Yarn 5/2009
Updated 2/2011

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• Big6 Website: http://www.big6.com/
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Lime Kiln Middle School Created by Janet Yarn 5/2009
Updated 2/2011

• Look at the assignment from your teacher. Decide what type of research
you need to be doing, Informational or Analytical.
•

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Lime Kiln Middle School Created by Janet Yarn 5/2009
Updated 2/2011
Your teacher may have assigned you a topic. IF not follow the step below…

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Lime Kiln Middle School Created by Janet Yarn 5/2009
Updated 2/2011

• You want to make sure you can find information on the topic you choose.
• You will need to find 3 substantial sources about your topic
• These sources should provide a page or more of information
• These sources should provide a variety of information about your topic
o History or Background
o Current information

If you can locate 3 solid sources about your topic you can begin to start
adding sources to Noodlebib. This website will help you keep track of your
sources. www.noodletools.com

The following Section will explain the wide range of sources that
are available for your use.

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Lime Kiln Middle School Created by Janet Yarn 5/2009
Updated 2/2011

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• This is just a beginning list of where you can look for
information. To help you locate books about your topic, you
can use the Howard County Public School Public Access
Catalog (PAC): http://pac.hcpss.org
 Choose “Go to Schools”
 Choose “Lime Kiln MS”
 You can use the “subject” search
 The books available on that subject will be listed along with the
call number of where you can find them.

You can also search All Schools to locate sources available from
other schools. You can put in a request for sources from other
schools through the media specialist.
• Using Keywords for a Search:
• Using specific keywords will help you search more efficiently
for the most useful information for your research. The following
website gives you search tips that you can use:
• http://www.questia.com/WebHelp/Search_Guidelines_help.htm
• Search Tip from the website above:
The more specific the words you type in the search box are, the more
specific your results will be. For example, a search on Vietnam War
Veterans will find more specific information than a search on Vietnam
War.
•
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Lime Kiln Middle School Created by Janet Yarn 5/2009
Updated 2/2011
As you begin to find more sources you will need to develop
your thesis and supporting questions.

You will also need to keep track of your sources. You can
make a “source card” for each source or you can use
“Noodletools” . www.noodletools.com
Click on Create ID and follow instructions on the screen.
Lime Kiln Middle School Created by Janet Yarn 5/2009
Updated 2/2011
• Write your username and password in a safe place so you don’t forget it.
• Click on Create New List on the top right corner of the screen.
o Choose: MLA Starter, type in description title, click create
list
• Choose your first citation type from drop down box in upper left hand
corner.
o Follow instructions on the screen
o Repeat steps 7 & 8 until all sources have been entered.
o Sign out at the end of your session. All work will be saved
automatically
o You can access your Noodletools bibliography from any computer at
school or at home.
• Source Card:
• You may choose to make a source card for each of your sources. Below is
a sample card for a print and web source.
• You will most likely not need all the information on the card but
depending on your source, fill in what is applicable.

•
• To Format your citation you can use the citation
machine:
• http://citationmachine.net/

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Lime Kiln Middle School Created by Janet Yarn 5/2009
Updated 2/2011

• The General Reference Section has a wealth of print

sources to help you get information. A reference book is a
compilation of information. It is not meant for you to read
cover to cover but rather to locate information useful to your
research.
•
• Below is a list of the sections based on the Dewey Decimal
system. The overall topic is listed along with other subjects
you can find in that area and a few sources that you may want
to consult.
•
• These reference sources are located along the back wall.
• 000-082 General Works- World Almanacs, Masterplots, World Book
Encyclopedia set
• Dictionary of Historic Documents- This source is an excellent starting
point if you are researching an era in history or a specific document. The
index is organized by events and historical documents.
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• 174 Philosophy/Psychology-Bioethics
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• 200 Religion-Religious encyclopedias, dictionaries,
• 290- Mythology
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• 300-399 Social Sciences- cultures, symbols, women, immigration,
careers, courts, endangered species, disasters, folklore, and holidays
•
• 400-499 Language- sign language, dictionaries, thesauri,
•
• 500-599 Science- science encyclopedias, earth science, scientists,
space, weather, animals, dinosaurs, chemistry
•
• Science Biographies-This set of books is organized alphabetically by
science subjects. There is also an index for scientists and eras of science.
•
• 600-699 Technology/Applied Science- technology in action,
inventions, medical discoveries, diseases, architecture, how products are
made,
•
• 700-799 Arts & Recreation- Arts in the Eras, History of Art, Artists,
Music, Musical instruments, contemporary theatre, sports stars
•
Lime Kiln Middle School Created by Janet Yarn 5/2009
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• Performing Artists- This series contains short biographies of both past and
current performing artists. It is organized alphabetically by name and
also has an index to help locate the correct volume. This is a good
starting point for biographical research.
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• 800-899 Literature- folklore, authors, poetry, Shakespeare,
•
• 900-917 History & Geography- Profiles in History, The Middle Ages,
Encyclopedia of Nations, maps, Maryland, Explorers, The Century in
Pictures
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• 920 Biographies- African American Biographies, Biography Today,
International Biographies, Presidents, Musicians, World Leaders
•
• Newsmakers- This set of books is a great starting point for researching
about noteworthy people in history. It outlines the contributions or
effects they had on society.
•
• 929-975 History and Geography- Ancient Civilizations, Native
Americans, Colonial America, American West, Howard County, Maryland
Government
•
• You have access to a variety of electronic sources. First
you can access the world wide web (www) through the
“kid safe search tools” at
www.ikeepbookmarks.com/lime_kiln_media_center
•
• Electronic Resources: Databases
•

•
www.americangovernment.abc-clio.com
username: 16231Student
password: 16231Student

Daily UPI Washington news, political cartoons for analysis, and political
commentaries help students learn about different viewpoints.

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Lime Kiln Middle School Created by Janet Yarn 5/2009
Updated 2/2011

•
http://online.culturegrams.com
username: howardcps
password: howardcps

Short, informative reports on 182 world cultures, the Canadian Provinces,

and states in the United States.
•

•
http://infotrac.galegroup.com
username: col41078
password: col_log
Thousands of topic overviews, experiments, biographies, and illustrations
can be found in articles from over 200 magazines, academic journals, and
links to quality web sites.
•

•
http://discoverer.sirs.com
username: MD1570H
password: 21042

Easily retrievable full-text articles from approximately 1,200 newpapers,

magazines, and U.S. government documents. In addition, you can access
quality websites that pertain to your topic.
•

http://infotrac.galegroup.com
username: col41078
password: col_log

• Easily retrievable full-text periodicals and newspapers, primary sources,

creative works, and multimedia pictures/videos. You can bookmarks sites
and email articles home.

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Lime Kiln Middle School Created by Janet Yarn 5/2009
Updated 2/2011

•
• http://www.worldbookonline.com
username: howco
password:worldbook

This is the online version of this popular encyclopedia. You can access
articles, video clips, maps, diagrams, and additional websites.
•

•
• In addition you can access a variety of databases and print sources
through the Howard County Public Library website: www.hclibrary.org
• You will need your library card number to access the databases. You can
search for a print source without your library card number.

 Information from a database is most likely going to be from

a credible source. The creator of the database determines the
information to be posted and therefore goes through an
evaluation process.

 When working with sites from the World Wide Web

(www), you need to be sure your information comes from a
credible source. Below are some guidelines for evaluating your
sources.

http://www.openc.k12.or.us/jitt/evalform.html
The above site is an interactive document that you can fill in online
and then print. It is a rating system to determine if your source has a
high credibility score.

Cornell University Library has the following site to provide website

guidelines. You can click on the site or view the slides below.
http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/research/webcrit.html

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Lime Kiln Middle School Created by Janet Yarn 5/2009
Updated 2/2011
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Lime Kiln Middle School Created by Janet Yarn 5/2009
Updated 2/2011

Periodicals & Newspapers

Newspapers:
The Baltimore Sun (daily)
The Howard County Times (weekly)

Newspapers are recycled weekly. Check online for archived

Lime Kiln Middle School Created by Janet Yarn 5/2009
Updated 2/2011
articles.

Magazines:
Consumer Reports
Girls Life
• MacWorld-The Macintosh Magazine
Sports Illustrated
Time
Most current issue is displayed on the rack; past issues are stored in
magazine holders behind the rack.

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Lime Kiln Middle School Created by Janet Yarn 5/2009
Updated 2/2011

Taking Notes
There are a variety of ways you can take notes. Some key facts
to remember:
1. Include the source
2. Include the page number
3. Paraphrase the notes into your own words.
4. On fact per sentence or note card

• Setting up Note cards:

• It is helpful to set up a source card where you assign a letter
or color to each source, that way you don’t have to write out
the source each time.
• Sample Source Card:
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• Sample Note Card:
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Lime Kiln Middle School Created by Janet Yarn 5/2009
Updated 2/2011
Sample Note Taking Worksheet:
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Lime Kiln Middle School Created by Janet Yarn 5/2009
Updated 2/2011
Synthesis
Now that you have collected your notes you can determine how
you are going to present them. In your presentation you need to
be sure that you do not plagiarize any information and follow
copyright rules.

Presentation Ideas:
 Research Paper
 PowerPoint Presentation
 Video Recorded Presentation
 Poster
 Podcast
According to www.dictionary.com, “Plagiarism is the
unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts
of another author and the representation of them as one’s own
original work.
• Therefore you must either site your sources within your
presentation or explain the concept in your own voice.
•
• Citing Sources: You can use the following website from
Capital Community College to help you cite sources within your
text. This website shows you how to insert footnotes,
endnotes, and in text citations.
 http://webster.commnet.edu/mla/practical_guide.shtml

Plagiarism Explanation and Examples: If you need further

clarification about plagiarism, read the following website from
Capital Community College:
http://webster.commnet.edu/mla/plagiarism.shtml

Copyright Laws require that you site the source for any pictures,
audio, video or artwork that you may use in your presentation. As
long as you use the source for educational purposes and give
credit to the source you should be within copyright law.

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Lime Kiln Middle School Created by Janet Yarn 5/2009
Updated 2/2011
Evaluate your work. Look at the rubric provided by your
teacher or use the following checklist.

Title Page: title, name, class period/date

Format: indent, double spaced, 12 font

Content:
Introduction Paragraph
Paragraphs contain enough information
To answer the main question and support
questions….Cups

Conclusion Paragraph

In-text Citations: proper placement

Works Cited page: Cups, proper format

Pictures include caption and source

Evaluate the steps you took to complete this project.

Be sure to turn in your BEST work! Good Luck….

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