Research Ate My Brain

Remember the panic that set in when your teacher assigned a research project? While the sense of foreboding hasn’t changed, the advent of cyberspace means the access to information is greater than ever before. How do students tackle the information overload without a professional guide constantly at their side? Written in a breezy, humorous style, this handy handbook shows students how to master the vast and complex resources that are available. Each chapter breaks the research process down into bite-sized pieces: how to access invaluable library materials (books, journals, newspapers, databases, audio and video); secrets to successful surfing online; how to identify and source reliable research sites; best bets on fact gathering; and, most importantly, evaluating and organizing all that information. Sidebars offer insights on everything from how to chat with an electronic librarian to finding obscure centers of dependable information around the globe. A slew of timesaver tips promote efficiency and maximize results. Martha Newbigging’s spunky cartoons underscore the you-can-do-it attitude that characterizes this indispensable guide. It belongs in every backpack, briefcase, or home study.