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Tutorials A-to-Z

Citing Sources
Get an overview of the MLA, APA, and Chicago/Turabian styles, and see examples of both in-text citations and works cited.
Developing your Topic
This page provides information and tips on understanding your assignment, generating search terms, finding background information, and revising your topic.
Evaluating Sources using the CRAAP Test
The acroynm CRAAP stands for Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose. You can use the CRAAP Test to help evaluate resources you find, including books, articles from newspapers, magazines, or journals, and websites.
Finding Background Information
Provides reasons why finding background info on your topic is important, as well as suggestions on where to look for background info.
Identifying Keywords
Tips are provided on how to identify the keywords of your topic, as well as strategies for generating search terms.
Incorporating Sources into your Paper
Get information on paraphrasing and avoiding plagiarism.
Paraphrasing
Get tips and see a couple of examples of paraphrasing.
Peer Review in Five Minutes
View a five minute video that will explain all about peer reviewed articles.
Plagiarism Tutorial and Quiz
Take the Columbia College Plagiarism Tutorial and Quiz. Log in to CougarTrack and look under "Menu→ Student → Academics→ Resources"
Primary Sources vs. Secondary Sources
Learn the difference between primary and secondary sources.
Refining a Topic
If you are finding too little information on your topic, or too much information, you might consider refining your topic. This page provides suggestions on how to do that.
Scholarly Articles vs. Popular Articles
Learn the difference between scholarly and popular articles.
Search Tips
Get tips on searching, and also an explanation of Boolean operators and the use of truncation and wildcard symbols.
Selecting a Topic
Get tips on resources that can help with selecting a research topic.
Types of Information Sources
View a video produced by Ovieatt Library at CSUN about types of information sources that might be helpful with your research assignment.
Understanding your Assignment
Understanding your assignment is crucial to your success! Get tips and view a video on this important first step.
What is a Library Database?
Learn what information you will find in library databases and when to use them appropriately for research.
Wikipedia: Beneath the Surface
How does the information get into Wikipedia? Find out what goes on behind the scenes by viewing a six minute video.

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