Types of Resources
The resources you use for a report should include a variety of types of materials. These include magazines, reference books and web sites.
You can go to Online Resources to access full text magazines, journals, encyclopedias and other reference books. These are not available through a basic internet search and offer valid, current information to which the school subscribes or is provided by the state. Each of the databases listed in "Online Resources" has tutorials or instructions for effective searching. The Librarians are also happy to describe the specialty and demonstrate the use of each collection.
Search the Catalog for the library to find books that you may check out or use at the library.
Searching the Internet
When you search the internet you must consider:
- Who sponsors the site? Are they an authority on the subject?
- Does the site present a point of view, opinion, or support a cause?
- How current is the information? When was the site last updated?
A report must be in your own words. Read all the information you collect and think about what you have learned. Then write an outline to organize your thoughts. From this outline, synthesize what you have learned and present your ideas. There are reference books in the library that discuss the research, format and mechanics of writing a paper.
Always give credit to your sources. Pasting from the internet or copying from a book must include quotes and footnotes, otherwise it is plagiarism. Plagiarism is the act of presenting someone else’s work as your own. It is unethical and cause for academic disciplinary penalties.
Creating a Bibliography
You will need a bibliography. Remember to gather the necessary information for that as you find your resources. Photocopy the title page of a reference book you use, print at least the first page of a web site to record the "electronic publisher" and the access date.
The library provides a set of guidelines for Hebron Academy students. For additional information, check Noodle Tools and Citation Machine.
Inter-Library Loan
You can access materials from any library in the state through the inter-library loan program. Search the Statewide Library Catalog, Maine InfoNet. When you make a selection, print the page with the book details and bring it to a librarian. Our librarians are happy to work through the info-net web site with you, too.
