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Research Skills

There are many types of citation formats, but Buford Middle School uses MLA. Click here to go to an awesome online citation creator. 

Read on to find out more about citations.
 
Who? Everyone needs to cite their sources.
What? Citing is giving credit for ALL elements used in a presentation (formal paper, PowerPoint, video, etc)
When? Cite a source anytime you use an element that is NOT your own creation. This includes: 
  • facts
  • images
  • video
  • music
Where? Include your citations at the end of your creation or presentation.
Why? Cite sources to:
  • Give credit to work that is not your own';
  • Allow others to quickly find the original source.
How? There are many styles, however, Buford uses the MLA format. See below for examples or click here to build your own citation.

BUT WAIT!!!! Can't I just use tools like Citation Machine? Yes, BUT, be aware that they make mistakes, too. Don't assume it's correct and not check it.
 
There are SO MANY different source types to cite, so here are just three of the most common types (print, website, video). You may also want to use this document for additional references. 
 
Print Sources
Includes: 
  • Author,
  • Title (italicized),
  • Publication information (city of publication, publisher’s name, year of publication),
  • Medium (Print).
 
Print Example:
     Franke, Damon. Modernist Heresies: British Literary History, 1883-1924. Columbus: Ohio State UP, 2008. Print.

Websites as Sources
Includes:
  • Author,
  • Title (italicized),
  • Title web site (italicized), *
  • Version or edition,
  • Publisher or sponsor (if not available, use N.p.),
  • Date of publication (d/m/y, as available) (if nothing is available, use n.d.),
  • Medium (Web), *
  • Date of access (d/m/y). *
* you may not have ALL of this information, but you will ALWAYS have the STARRED items.

Website Example:
     Quade, Alex. Elite Team Rescues Troops behind Enemy Lines. CNN.com. Cable News Network, 19 Mar. 2007. Web. 15 May 2017.

Video/Movies as Sources
Includes: 
  • Title (italicized),
  • Director & performers, 
  • Distributor, 
  • Year of release, 
  • Medium (Film).
Video/Movie Example
     It’s a Wonderful Life. Dir. Frank Capra. Perf. James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, and Thomas Mitchell. RKO, 1946. Film.
 
BMS students and staff can contact Mrs. Nabors for any questions they might have.
The links below were designed to help you as you go through the research process.
 
Step 1: Develop Your Research Questions
 
Step 2: Locate Your Sources
  • Using search terms to locate information (coming soon)
  • Evaluating Websites (coming soon)
  • Using GALILEO
  • Using Britannica
  • Using Middle Search Plus (coming soon)
  • Using SIRS Discover (coming soon)
 
Step 3: Take Notes
 
Step 4: Cite Sources
  • Citations Overview
  • Citations ​
  • Online Citation Creator
 
Step 5: Organize Notes
  • Organizing Notes
 
Step 6: Use Your Information to Make a Difference!
  • Solve a problem
  • Create new information
  • Invent something
  • Create a new kind of business or service