Write your research paper using one (or all!) of the following online sources made especially for teens. All you need is access to the internet and your SLCPL library card or internet card number, and you're ready to go.
SIRS Discoverer
Why this site is great:
It's very easy to use.
If you don't already have a topic, it gives you a search tree that will give you some good ideas
The search results won't overwhelm you with a zillion articles
In addition to magazine and newspaper articles, the search feature will pull up PICTURES, ACTIVITIES, and FICTION BOOKS that are related to your topic
You can click "Discoverer WebFind" to find TEEN- ORIENTED WEBSITES that relate to your topic.
This site offers a database of "PHOTO ESSAYS" (a cluster of related pictures) for popular topics.
This site offers a database of "COUNTRY FACTS" and "MAPS OF THE WORLD."
Click "Research Center" on the left side of the home page
Click "Search Databases"
Go to the Alphabetical List and click "SIRS Discoverer" and log in with your name and library card number
SIRS Researcher for Teens
Why this site is great:
It has an easy-to-use search function and a good topic browser that will give you ideas for your paper
If you click "Pro/Con" in the search box, it will take you to a PRO/CON PAGE with a long list of topics. Click your topic, and then you can view basic articles about your topic (click "Overview" tab), read a summary of the main arguments on both sides of the issue (click "Pro/Con" tab), and find out how to complete your own analysis of the data, step by step (click "My Analysis" tab).
There are even guides such as "Writing a Research Paper" and "Creating a Debate Outline."
Go to "Kids/Teens" on the top search then click on "SIRS"
If you are at home,
Go to our library website at www.slcpl.org.
Click "Research Center" on the left side of the home page
Click "Search Databases"
Go to the Alphabetical List and click "Pioneer"
Click "Kids/Teens" on the top search bar
Click "SIRS"
log in with your name and library card number
Click "SIRS Researcher"
EBSCO Student Research Center
Why this site is great:
You can click "Visual Search" at the top of the home page and use an interactive search feature (GROK) that helps you narrow and refine your topic
In addition to the typical newspaper and magazine articles, this site will pull up RADIO AND TV TRANSCRIPTS
You can access COUNTRY REPORTS, STATE REPORTS, MAPS AND FLAGS
This site has an excellent collection of PHOTOS and an easy way to access them (click the" Photos, Maps, and Flags" icon, and then type the subject you want in the search box)
You can easily limit your search to "PRIMARY SOURCE DOCUMENTS" if that's what your teacher has requested.
Then click "Student Research Center - High School and Middle School"
If you are at home,
Go to our library website at www.slcpl.org.
Click "Research Center" on the left side of the home page
Click "Search Databases"
Go to the Alphabetical list and click "EBSCO Research Databases" and log in with your name and library card number
Click "Student Research Center - High School and Middle School"
MAS+
Why this site is great:
The left side bar that appears once you have begun your search offers an easy way to limit your search to PRIMARY SOURCE DOCUMENTS, IMAGES, SPECIFIC MAGAZINES, and more
There are a few tricks you have to know to use this site:
ALWAYS check "Full Text" and "Also check within the full text of the articles"
You don't have to check anything else in the "Refine Search" area unless you want to. (Sometimes it is good to limit your search to "fresh" articles by limiting the "Published date" to the last 2 years, etc.)