The Process

The Research Process – Research assistance, subject guides and useful resources compiled by your friendly Golden Gate University librarians.
Where Do I Begin My Research? – Before you begin your research, you should ask yourself some questions. These will help narrow your search parameters.
Types of Sources – The amount of information that you find in your research initially can be overwhelming and confusing. This section provides a list of common types of sources and what information you can discover from each.
Evaluating Sources – The world is full of information to be found—however, not all of it is valid, useful, or accurate. Evaluating sources of information that you are considering using in your writing is an important step in any research activity.
Evaluating Websites – A collection of guidelines that may be used to determine the quality and accuracy of the information found on the World Wide Web.
Searching with A Search Engine – A search engine is a device that sends out inquiries to sites on the Web and catalogs any Web site it encounters, without evaluating it.
Searching the Web – Searching the World Wide Web can be both beneficial and frustrating. You may find vast amounts of information, or you may not find the kinds of information you’re looking for.
Writing a Thesis – This page provides guidelines that may be used to determine the quality and accuracy of the information found on the World Wide Web.
Thesis Builder – This online tool will help you draft a clear thesis statement for your persuasive essay or augmentative paper.
Essay Map – Are you ready to map out your essay?
Outline Maker – Cambridge Rindge and Latin School Outline Maker

Citation Guide

MLA Style Guide – This resource offers examples for the general format of MLA research papers, in-text citations, endnotes/footnotes, and the Works Cited page.
APA Style Guide – This resource offers examples for the general format of APA research papers, in-text citations, endnotes/footnotes, and the reference page.
Chicago Style Guide – The Chicago Manual of Style presents two basic documentation systems: (1) notes and bibliography and (2) author-date. Choosing between the two often depends on subject matter and the nature of sources cited, as each system is favored by different groups of scholars.
Copyright & Intellectual Property – Heard of “intellectual property” but not sure what it means? Learn the basics here.
Plagiarism – Plagiarism seems like such an easy concept to understand: the dishonest practice of claiming credit for something you didn’t do. Avoiding plagiarism seems equally simple: giving credit where credit is due. And it is that simple — sort of.
Plagarism Video – Plagarism explained by Common Craft.
Plagarism on CNN – Howard Kurtz on allegations of plagiarism.

Citation Generator

Citation Machine – Citation Machine automatically generates citations
in MLA, APA, Chicago, and Turabian.
KnightCite – A tool for citing a Basic Book in MLA Format
Bibme The fully automatic bibliography maker that auto-fills. It’s the easiest way to build a works cited page. And it’s free!
Easybib – Generate citations in MLA, APA & Chicago formats for your bibliography
Annotated Bibliography – An annotated bibliography is a list of citations to books, articles, and documents. Each citation is followed by a brief descriptive and evaluative paragraph, the annotation.

Primary Sources