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General Research Guide: Navigating Media Center Resources

Navigating Media Center Resources

How to Navigate Media Center Resources

We have many print and digital resources available for research.

Unlike a basic online search, the media center materials have been evaluated for credibility and relevance to the SHS curriculum.

The most effective researchers consider their informational needs and choose a research type most appropriate to their needs.

We have databases, print books, and ebooks in the media center. I compare the three formats below.

Key Take Aways:

  • Students will understand the basics of navigating each of the following: article databases, encyclopedia databases, ebooks, and print reference books.
  • Students will understand the different types of content available in different types of sources, to find the source that best fits their information needs.

Link to the slides embedded below.

 

Databases

Databases

A database is an online searchable collection of information (articles, book experts, journals, images, etc). We have subscriptions to over 20 databases through the school and the state for student use.
Many students find databases easy to navigate, compared to print books and ebooks. They are often a good starting place for current and historical research.

Advantages for Database Research:

  • Full-text search
  • Current and up-to-date information
  • A variety of resource types

Considerations:

  • Different databases offer different types of resources. Choose wisely
  • Database results may not be as thorough as information found in other sources

Click here for databases tips.

Click here for all media center databases.

Print Books

Print Books

The print books in the media center may also be great resources for your research. We have a wide range of books about a variety of subjects. Some books explore a limited topic extensively, and others cover a wide variety of topics but without as much depth. Consider your research needs and current knowledge about a topic when selecting a book.

Advantages for Print Books:

  • Well-researched
  • Organized by subject
  • Index and table of contents to help navigate

Considerations:

  • Books that are entirely about your topic may be long and overwhelming to use.
  • You may want to look through books about a broader subject for more concise information.
  • Some books may have out-of-date information.

Click here for print book tips.

Click here for the media center catalog.

Ebooks

Ebooks

The media center reference ebook collection has many of the same advantages and benefits as the print books. These are well-researched resources that have been selected for our collection specifically for research. Each of the reference ebooks is a multi-user ebook, meaning multiple students can have the same title open at the same time.

Advantages for ebooks:

  • Easy access from at home or school
  • Full - text search, index, and table of contents to navigate
  • Multi-user access

Considerations:

  • Different ebook platforms are easier to navigate than others.
  • Information in a book is not updated, so some information may be out of date.

Click here for more ebook tips.

Click here to browse our reference ebook collection.

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