Research+and+Reference+Skills


 * __Research and Reference Skills __**

__Note taking tips:__

[|FactFrenzy] - When you are taking notes, you only need to write down the most important parts. Try this fun activity to practice and hone your note taking skills. Is it trash or treasure? How do you decide what information to write down when you are taking notes? This website can help you.



__Finding the Correct Reference Book or Site:__

There are several different types of reference books available. The major reference books are the encyclopedia, dictionary, atlas, almanac, and thesaurus. Do you know which of these reference books to use when you are looking for information? You can practice your research skills and have some fun using this online [|Reference Skills quiz] to see how many points you can earn. All you need to do is select the right reference book for the information you are seeking.



__**Models for Conducting Research :**__

[|The Kentucky Virtual Library] offers advice and a six step path to follow when you are conducting research. Bright and colorful with lots of useful tips, diagrams, and funny examples, this is a great site to visit before you start your research project. It even offers useful forms you can print out to use in your own project. The helpful dog in the astronaut suit makes conducting research seem not so scary or hard. [|The Big 6] - This 6 step model has been used by students all across the country for many years. It is logical and offers a step by step plan for researchers to follow so they don't waste time or get sidetracked on their research project. Lots of information about this method is available online.

__[|Order in the Library] - ABC Order and Finding a Book on the Shelf:__

Locating the book you seek on the library shelf requires certain skills. You need to know abc order and how to locate a book on the library shelf. You can practice your abc order skills and help shelve books in this virtual library game. Give it a try and see how quickly you can excel.

Evaluating Websites: You shouldn't believe everything you see online. [|Not everything online is true]. Visit these sites for tips on how to evaluate a website and determine if the website looks like a reliable source you can believe in: try **[|RADCAB or]be a** [|web detective]and consider these key points to help evaluate a website. **//Remember, anyone can publish a website and it is not illegal to put incorrect information on the internet.//**