Positivity, Pass It On
When you think of positivity, what words or images come to mind? This research paper will take a closer look at “Positivity” and how positive thinking impacts the world around us.Positive thinking encompasses the mental attitude of optimism, which searches for favorable outcomes in all situations. Positivity relies on the emotional state of hope, looks past the current circumstance and supports the building of emotional, social, and other resources for positive action.
How do I know which databases are right for me?
The key to finding the right database is knowing what’s in it. Here are some questions to ask about any database before you use it.
- What Subject Area(s) Does It Cover?
- What Date Range Does it Cover?
- What Types of Material Does It Cover?
f you don’t find what you need in one database, try another!
Searching a second database for a different but related subject can also provide useful breadth for your topic.
Background Research vs. In-Depth Research
In-depth research involves looking for greater detail and specifics about your topic. It’s key to later stages of your paper, but background research is the best place to begin when you are just learning about your topic.
To understand more about the differences between the two, check out the chart below.
Background Research: Encyclopedias
Very famous people can be found in general encyclopedias. An encyclopedia article usually contains a brief summary of someone’s life and major accomplishment(s).
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Username:south4 Password:orangetown |
Britannica School Encyclopedia Username:tzhs Password:look |
Free Web Access |
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Username:tzhs Password:dutchmen |
Free Access from the Library of Congress |
District Credentials |
Step Two: Create a research question.
Step Three: In-Depth Research
Scholarly journals are generally used for in-depth research and are probably too narrow for most background research, but a preliminary database search for scholarly articles can help you determine how much material you might find on a topic.
Find four credible sources related to your topic.
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Username:tzhs Password:dutchmen |
Username: TZHSLibrary Password: Dutchman |
Username: tzhs Password: student21! |
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Username: tzhs Password: 8456801670 |
Username: empirelink |
Username: tzhs Password: dutchmen |
Step Four: Evaluate your Sources. Use the C.R.A.A.P. (Currency, Relevancy, Accuracy, Authority, Purpose) Worksheet. As you begin to search and increase your knowledge base, you will inevitably find topics you will want to delve into. Remember to read laterally. When using the internet implement the Better Searches, Better Results we practiced earlier. When looking for various perspectives on a a specific topic it is extremely important to pull articles from multiple sites on the same day, ensuring that they were from the same news cycle.
Step Five: Save and annotate your articles. When reading your articles, it is important to remember key information. Annotate the articles, so finding the facts and important information is a bit easier when you begin the writing process. Watch the video below to gain a better understanding of what it means to annotate.
Step Six: Works Cited Page. A works cited page is an alphabetized list of your sources using the Modern Language Association (MLA) format. A works cited page serves to show the reader where the information is from giving the source credit for the information and ideas.
Watch the video below to get a better understanding of why a works cited page is important.
Step 7: Outlining your information. Now is time to organize your research in a coherent manner. Using your annotated articles, fill in the outline. Make sure to note which article information is from. Use the author’s last name or first word or two from the Works Cited page as your “signal” word. You will need to use this in your paper as well.
Watch the video below titled, “What are in-text citations?
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