Online Databases

First, a reminder about research: Research ain't easy! No one is going to hand you sources on a silver platter when you type in your first search. You have to try, try, try again --and again and again and again and again. (And again, again, again.) You will hit many dead ends in your research. But this is what research is all about: reading, searching, circling around, hitting dead ends, judging if an article is relevant or useful for the position you are taking. Is there anything here that can help support my argument? Constantly ask yourself this question and be prepared to read through a lot of material that is not helpful. Making a judgment about the article's usefulness is the essence of research. A lot of people have been asking to change their topic because they "can't find anything." This is not an option. Don't give up just because it's hard.

One other reminder: please read before asking questions. Don't underestimate your own ability to figure it out and solve the problem on your own. When you click on the link for ProQuest and SIRS, read through the list and find the links yourself.


FOUR USEFUL STARTING POINTS:

1. FirstSearch
http://www.firstsearch.oclc.org/
When using FirstSearch, I recommend using the WilsonSelectPlus database because it provides a lot of full-text articles. WorldCat can also be useful, especially if you click on the "internet" tab -- sometimes there will be links to articles on the internet.

2. ProQuest OneSearch
3. SIRS Researcher
http://www.chipublib.org/cplbooksmovies/research/database_atoz.php
ProQuest and SIRS are both excellent databases that cover a wide range of newspaper, magazine, and other articles. Many of these are full-text articles (meaning you don't have to go to the library to get them). However to use these databases, you have to have a Chicago Public Library card. So be sure to bring your library card to school every day! And if you don't have a library card, GET ONE! Go to the library with a piece of mail showing your address and ask how you can apply for a library card. SIRS also has sections called "Pro vs. Con" and "Leading Issues" that group articles by topic and highlight the best ones for student research.

4. Newsbank
http://www.infoweb.newsbank.com
Search Chicago newspapers. Username and password: 1140

I also recommend that you actually go to the public library to do research. This is your homework, after all; you are expected to do some of your research outside of school. We will continue to work on this in class, but you must also work on it at home and at the public library.