Getting Started
Following the six step Information Search Process (ISP) will save time and keep you organized through all phases of any research assignment.
| Understand the Assignment: Understand the specifics including length of paper, topic options/instructions, citation style and resources permitted before beginning topic selection, research or any other part of the assignment. | |
| Select a Topic: Think about what the assignment guidelines are and choose something that is interesting to you. | |
| Explore your Topic: Take your topic and narrow it down to what you want to focus on, normally a few main points. | |
| Develop a Thesis/Specific Purpose Statement: Decide your objective so you can inform the readers what you will discuss. | |
| Research: Work within the assignment guidelines to decide on appropriate resources. Keep track of your citations as you go. | |
| Write: Using your research and critical thinking skills, write your paper. |
| Library Cards |
Use your library card to borrow items and for off-campus access to eResources.
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| Subject Specific Library Resources |
- Salem Press eBooks This link opens in a new windoweBooks covering a wide range of subjects including history, sociology, careers, and current issues
- CQ Researcher This link opens in a new windowReports on current and controversial issues for persuasive and argumentative research including pro/cons of a topic, background information, a chronology, statistical data, and much more
- Points of View This link opens in a new windowArticles on current and controversial issues for persuasive and argumentative research including an overview of the topic along with discussion on both sides of an issue
- eResources & DatabasesAlphabetical list of the library's eResources and databases with a subject search option.
- Full Text Finder for Lists of Journals, Magazines and Newspapers This link opens in a new windowFind specific journals, magazines, and newspapers by publication name
| Start Your Research |
| Citations |
Citation generator to help with your works cited/reference page.
You will need to create your own account (see the NoodleTools Tutorial for assistance).
An active library card is required to access NoodleTools from off-campus.
For citation help, check out the Citation Help page.
| Plagiarism |
Plagiarism is using someone’s work or ideas without acknowledging them. This includes using their words, pictures, images or ideas as if they are your own.
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Types of Plagiarism Intentional is obvious – copying information word for word or summarizing without giving credit, making up information or using someone else’s work or ideas (including ChatGPT and other AI chatbots) and not giving them credit. Unintentional plagiarism is the most common and done accidentally. This includes not using proper citations, not using quotation marks, poor summarizing, reusing your own paper or forgetting to cite your sources. |
What Is Not Plagiarism?
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How Do I Avoid Plagiarism?
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The CCC Policy on Plagiarism in under the Academic Honesty Guidelines in the Student Handbook. A small sample of some of the violations include...
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Turning in a written, oral or computer based |
Failing to give credit for ideas and material taken from others, either written, oral or computer based, using accepted academic methods. |