Research Tips

Research Documentation and Formatting Help

Formatting rules for research papers according to Modern Language Association and American Psychological Association guidelines can be found at the Online Writing Laboratory (OWL) from Purdue University.

Need Citation Help?

Use the free citation generator at: Easybib.com
 

PowerLibrary

The PowerLibrary is an electronic database linking you to thousands of magazines, journals, encyclopedias, and almanacs. Masterman School Library subscribes and PowerLibrary is bookmarked on the library computers. If you need to search at home, you are eligible through your Philadelphia library card. The pathway is as follows:

1. Go to The Free Library of Philadelphia site: <http://www.library.phila.gov>
2. Click Find
3. Click databases
4. Click netlibrary
5. Type in library card number
6. DO NOT TYPE IN PIN NUMBER
7. Click Power Library link under PIN NUMBER
8. Select database of your choice
9. Use Boolean search terms (and, or instead of a comma)
10. Check FULL TEXT (abstracts are not admissible for research projects)

ProQuest

Masterman has a one-year subscription to two databases on this online resource. Students can access it at school or at home using the identification number and school password.

Databases:

ProQuest Learning: Literature

ProQuest Historical Newspapers

www.proquestk12.com

Identification number: 03-42691

Password: (Students know password)

Google is ok, but...

Before you google. . .try these reputable websites designed and maintained by colleges or librarians:

1. Internet Public Library: <http://www.ipl.org>
2. Librarians’ Index to the Internet: <http://lii.org>
3. Library of Congress :<http://loc.gov>

Here are some reference sources available on the internet:

1. Refdesk-<http://www.refdesk.com>
2. Library Spot-<http://www.libraryspot.com>

Criteria for Evaluating the Worthiness of a Website:

•accuracy
•authority
•currency
•objectivity
•coverage
(Jim Kapoun, Cornell University)

**Remember to gather all the citation information you need before leaving the source.

Our reference room contains many specialized encyclopedias and primary sources that may be of value to you when you research.