Today's Hours:
The best way to start a research project is by reading overviews of your topic. An overview is a text that summarizes the basic facts about your topic.
Examples of overviews:
An overview is just a starting point. Don't cite overviews. The reason why we don't cite overviews is that they don't provide any original information -- they only give you a condensed summary of what other people have said about the topic. Instead of citing an overview, read the overview and write down clues that you could search for on the library website or in the library databases, to find sources that you can cite.
Clues you might find in overviews:
Is it okay to use Wikipedia for a college research project?
Yes, but only as a starting point.
Wikipedia is an excellent starting point. You should use Wikipedia! Read Wikipedia articles, and write down clues that you find. Follow the citations at the bottom of Wikipedia articles. Use these clues to find sources you can cite.
Don't cite Wikipedia.
Don't assume that everything you read in Wikipedia is true. Treat Wikipedia as a collection of valuable rumors. Follow up on each rumor, using trustworthy sources, to see whether the rumor is true.
Use reference books to find:
The reference books are located in the on the first floor of Simpson Library.
Some reference books are available as eBooks, in the Simpson Stacks, or freely available online.
A to Zoo: Subject Access to Children's Picture Books
Best Books for Children, Preschool Through Grade 6
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Characters in Children's Literature
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Characters in Young Adult Literature
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The Children's and Young Adult Literature Handbook
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Neal-Schuman Guide to Recommended Children's Books and Media for Use with Every Elementary Subject
100 Most Popular Picture Book Authors and Illustrators
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The 100 Most Popular Young Adult Authors
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Children's Literature Review
The Continuum Encyclopedia of Children's Literature
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The Essential Guide to Children's Books and Their Creators
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