• You can pick up a magazine, newspaper or other journal.  (Finding exactly what you want in a stack of magazines or newspaper can be pretty frustrating. 
  OR
• You can search a database for articles.

What is a database?

• A periodical is a magazine or journal that contains articles.  An example of this is National Geographic or Seventeen.  There are many articles in each issue of these magazines. When you’re doing research, you’re looking for an article on your topic, not the entire magazine. 
• A database is a place where articles are organized.  Imagine that someone has taken the time to type up every article in every magazine or journal ever printed.  It would be pretty hard to find what you need without a way to search.  A database organizes them so that you can search and find the specific articles you want. 
• You search a database to find articles that were published in a periodical. 

• Pick a topic that interests you!!
• Beware that some topics may be violent, bloody and/or depressing. If you have trouble with violence, death or gruesome pictures, please pick a topic accordingly! Look at the Research Topic Guide for ideas.
• Make sure there is enough information
• Spend 5 minutes on a search. Use your text book, encyclopedia, or an online search engine.
• Check out the topic list in Global Issues in Context.
• Make a list of keywords. Use people, places, time periods and ideas (war, hunger, etc.)
• Remember that information about recent events will be in newspapers and not in books!
• Don't wait until the last minute.
• Ask for help!

• Start by making a list of keywords.
• Write them down and use them everywhere.
• Be flexible.
• Every search engine will use different terms.
• Ask for help if you get stuck!

• Get a library card! Come on in with a parent or guardian. It takes 2 minutes. More info
• Search the catalog. Use your keywords.
• Most of your books will be in the adult nonfiction section. Some will be in the children's room (J).
• Remember that books will not necessarily have the same title as your project.
• Look at general books on Africa, your specific country or region or on your issue.
• Remember that countries (ex. Kenya) will probably be covered in a book on all of Africa and specific issues (AIDS) will probably be covered in a book on major diseases.
• Are the books checked out? Not in Scituate? Put them on hold.
• Remember that the entire 7th grade is doing the same research project. Please share and return your books on time!
• Encyclopedias and some other book sources stay here in the library. Come see us.
• The Gates library has some books available for you.

• What is a database?
• Use the library databases to find book chapters, magazine articles, newspaper articles, academic journal articles, pictures, maps and websites.
• Go to the History & Social Studies Databases.
• Use your keywords!
• Make sure you can understand the article BEFORE making a source card for it.
• Stuck? Check out the topic list in Global Issues in Context. Maybe you need new keywords. Check your spelling.
• Really stuck? Ask for help!

• You get what you pay for.  The free internet is full of useless information.
• Pay attention to where you get your information and whether it’s reliable. Check the date, author and web address. Does it look sketchy? Don't use it!
• Try going to a site dedicated to information. PBS is always a great place to start! 
• New York Times for kids
• PBS
• National Geographic
• For more suggestions, go to http://www.scituatetownlibrary.org/teens_resources.html

• Ms. McLaughlin's webpage
• Email Peter at the library