Research Tips & Note Sheet
- The worst step to take first is likely the one most of you would do—just typing your topic into google and looking at the first sites that pop-up. First off, there will be a lot of repetition. Second, the websites themselves may not be the greatest.
- Avoid websites such as about.com, helpguide.com, everydayhelp.com, ehow.com. They’re terrible.
- The best place to start is the WHS Library website, and choose ‘Library Databases.’ Once there, click on the ‘database passwords’ so that you can use the sites at home and the ‘Citation Guide.’ You should always record the full bibliographic information prior to taking notes from a website. Use either google's citation generator or noodletools!
- Use the databases in this link:
- What else?
1. Be specific with your google search (i.e. anxiety + teens + treatment)
2. Use reputable, online newspapers and magazines such as the NY Times, Boston Globe, Washington Post, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Time, The New Yorker, etc. (search NY Times + depression)
3. Journals/websites such as:
Psychology Today
The American Psychological Association
National Institute of Mental Health
National Alliance on Mental Health
Mental Health Stats
ESPN: Mental Health in NBA
DSM-5 Mental Health Overview
- Generally, you can trust any website that ends with .edu.
- At the bottom of any Wikipedia entry, check links under ‘References’ or ‘Related Websites.’
- Videos/audio clips are acceptable sources as well!
- Always record the full bibliographic information prior to taking notes from a website.
