Research+Resources

=Introduction=

This research guide is a good place to begin searching for reliable information for your extended essay project.

= Books and eBooks =

Search for books and eBooks using online catalogs

 * To find print books, look in [|Destiny], our school's online catalog, or the Brockton Public Library's online catalog using relevant keywords, subjects, and phrases for your topic.
 * eBooks are available from the Brockton Public Library here. You will need your Brockton Public Library card number and may also need to download Overdrive, depending on your device and whether you want to read online or download the book.
 * Commonwealth Ebooks are available free to all Massachusetts residents. This is a new program and is still in the Beta phase. You can use your Brockton Public Library card and pin. Some items don't require a card number.
 * Another source for books and eBooks is WorldCat, which allows you to check the holding of many libraries around the world, including local colleges and universities. You may be able to borrow some of the books found there, or you may be able to use them at the university. See this page for more information about WorldCat.

**Search in the library:**

 * ==== Browse for books in your subject/topic (more useful in the early stages of research): ====
 * [|Library of Congress Classification Headings] (used by academic libraries, including Brockton High School)
 * [|Dewey Subject Index] (Used by the public library)
 * ==== Locate reference books pertaining to your topic and make copies. ====

*Tips:
 * 1) If you are finding too many results in a catalog search, you many need to narrow your topic or revise your search terms. If you are finding too few, you may need to broaden your topic or revise your search terms.
 * 2) When you first begin your research, it's a good idea to find at least one book and several reference articles that provide background information to give you a contextual and conceptual understanding of your topic and to help you focus in on more specific areas of interest.

= Research Database Resources =

=** [|Database search tips] **=

An online library of reference titles in ebook format for multi-disciplinary research. Select a subject to search specific reference titles, or cross search all the titles at once. || A full suite of general, academic, and specialized subject databases. Includes Britannica and newspaper resources. No log in required. || Covering today's most important issues and controversial subjects, //CQ Researcher // has been the choice of students and librarians for 90 years. Each weekly issue—written by an experienced journalist—is an in-depth, single-topic report featuring more than 12,000 words of text and extensive bibliographies. Check with a librarian or teacher for log in information. || Researchers will find the answers they need from more than 2,500 full-text magazines, newspapers, books, and transcript titles, plus a collection of over 7 million maps, pictures, weblinks, and audio/video files. Check with a librarian or teacher for log in information. || The Brockton Public Library has some additional databases that we do not have at the high school. Bloom's Literary Reference is an excellent resource they have available there. You will need to enter your public library card barcode number and the password "OCLN" in order to access their databases. || In addition to the databases provided by the high school and the Brockton Public Library, the BPL includes additional databases such as JSTOR that you can't get locally. In order to access the BPL's databases and other electronic resources, you have to sign up for an ecard, which is available free to all Massachusetts residents. ||
 * [[image:bhs-girc/gale virtual reference library.png width="160" height="71" align="left" link="@http://libraries.state.ma.us/login?db=GVRL&locid=mlin_s_brockhs"]] || **Gale Vi****rt****ual Reference Library (GVRL):**
 * [[image:bhs-girc/infotrac .jpg width="143" height="82" align="left" link="@http://galesites.com/menu/mlin_s_brockhs"]] || **Gale Resources:**
 * [[image:http://www.loomischaffee.org/uploaded/Katharine_Brush_Library/CQ.Research.Logo.jpg width="150" height="75" link="@http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/"]] || **CQ Researcher:**
 * [[image:http://cdn.sllib.org.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/elibrary-164-x-70.jpg link="@http://www.proquestk12.com/"]] || **eLibrary **
 * [[image:http://www.patriotledger.net/photos/brockton-public-library-blog.jpg width="170" height="89" link="@http://www.brocktonpubliclibrary.org/web/databases.html"]] || **Brockton Public Library databases:**
 * [[image:http://www.bpl.org/graphics/header_logo.png width="163" height="64" link="@http://www.bpl.org/electronic/"]] || **Boston Public Library (BPL) electronic resources:**

These college libraries are open to the public and can also help you with your research.
Bridgewater University Maxwell Library
 * Open to public
 * Check website for hours
 * Need to sign in at the reference department
 * They will give you a guest password for the day in order to use the computers
 * Cannot borrow books

Massasoit Community College Library
 * Open to public
 * Full library privileges, including checking out books, with public library card
 * Can use computers and all databases
 * Database passwords are posted on computers
 * Reference help available
 * Cannot print

Stonehill College MacPhaidin Library
 * Open to public
 * Need to sign in and show a picture ID
 * Reference help is available; ask and they will call someone to assist you
 * Can use computers but cannot borrow books
 * Summer hours: Monday to Thursday, 8:30-4:30, Friday 8:30-12:30

University of Massachusetts/Boston
 * Public is allowed to use computers for up to two hours
 * Need a picture ID, preferably with an expiration date in order to get a guest password for databases


 * = **NEED HELP?** Having trouble accessing the databases? Forgot the passwords? Email a librarian!Please clearly describe the problem or question you have. You must include your full name and student ID# for password requests. ||