You're accustomed to using Google for background research. Try something different. Use Google's Advanced Search options to be a more efficient searcher. Find results with precisely the exact phrase you're looking for. Eliminate .COM sites or search only .EDU sites.

Try other Web search engines and compare their results with Google. Dogpile combines multiple search engines into one set of combined results. Web Directories like lii.org (Librarians Index to the Internet) provide access to great websites perfect for research. Wikipedia is handy to find background information on a wide range of topics but it can be edited by anyone, and frequently is.

Check out:
Dogpile

The point is: don't rely on one research tool to do all your work. Try a number of them, print and digital, to pull together the best set of resources for the job.

Wikipedia is a handy tool if you use it properly. It is great for describing very current issues, popular culture and media resources. It can be useful to gain background knowledge on a topic about which you know very little. Be aware that the great strength of Wikipedia - that anyone can add and maintain the information - is also a great weakness.

The following video segment originally aired on the Comedy Central television program "The Colbert Report" July 31, 2006. This segment illustrates in an entertaining way, for better or for worse, how Wikipedia is used. Use the Mozilla Firefox browser to watch the clip:

"Wikiality" Quicktime video

• "...the revolution will not be verified" unless you double-check facts with other sources.
• use Wikipedia to gain access to other resources on your topic.
  
• avoid using Wikipedia information to make important points in a research paper.
• when in doubt, check out the "History" tab on the article you are reading.
  
• Read the Wikipedia Disclaimer, and proceed with caution.

• Reputable, high-quality general encyclopedias such as the Encyclopedia Britannica
• Encyclopedias on specific subjects such as the Encyclopedia of Clothing and Fashion
• Useful for getting an overview or introduction to a topic
• Also helpful for finding a bibliography on your topic, which will give you ideas for further research

There are several reasons for citing your resources.

• Give credit to another person/source if you are using their ideas or words.
• Prove to your reader that you've done your homework and are aware of the larger conversations connected to the topic.
• Help your readers follow your thoughts and find more information on the topic.

There are three major ways to document your sources: MLA, APA, and Chicago style. Your professor will ask you to follow one of them when creating your paper's bibliography.

When citing an electronic resource such as a website you'll need to include the following elements:

• Author/editor of the webpage
• Title of the site
• Name of the sponsor institution or organization if given
  
• Most recent date you accessed the site
• URL of the webpage.
  

If your citation style requires a URL for articles from a library research databases, do not use the actual URL given in the address bar; it is specific to your research session and will not lead back to the article you are citing. Use an abbreviated URL for the specific database (e.g. <http://firstsearch.oclc.org> for FirstSearch databases).  Many research databases now offer specific guidance for citing items you find in that database (even offering a completely formatted citation).

If you have questions, see St. Martin's Handbook (6th ed.) for extensive guidance on how to cite your references properly.  Or check our longer guide to Citing Sources.

Also, the Hekman Library has created its own citation generator called KnightCite to help you create your own bibliographies.