Once you have selected a topic, you will want to
think of some alternate terms to enter into search tools, such as
library catalogs, electronic databases, or search engines. Try
to think of synonyms, narrower terms, related terms, and broader
terms.
Here is a list of search terms for the topic,
"Finding the a good child care."
child care
day care (synonym)
preschool (related term)
"criteria for choosing a child care"
"selecting a child care" (synonym)
I may not use all of these terms, but it is a good
idea to have them in mind when you begin your search.
To find books in the Cuyamaca Library, click on
Library Catalog,
which is on the library website under "books."
You may also want to order titles from the SDSU
Library or from the Grossmont Library. Usually, we can get
books from either of these libraries in two business days.
DIRECTIONS to find articles: 1) Go to
Library homepage.
2) Click on Databases A-Z. 3) Select a database.
Note: if you use one of
these databases from a remote location, you must enter your
campus username and password.
General Onefile - Includes thousands of full-text articles
from magazines and journals.
CQ Researcher
-
Excellent for political, social,
family, education, and health issues.
Opposing viewpoints - Provides articles on controversial
issues.
Don't forget, anyone can create a website! It is
essential to evaluate your web sources carefully
before using them to write an academic paper. For some
useful tips on how to evaluate websites, check out the following
links.
Evaluating Internet Resources
- A list of criteria for
evaluating websites. Created by the University of
Albany Libraries.
Evaluating
the Quality of Information on the Internet- A checklist for
discovering quality in Web-based information, commentary
on technical trickery, examples of bogus Web sites, and
resources for learning more. From the Virtual
Chase, a Research Site for Legal Professionals.
El
Cajon, California 92019 
