Welcome to the library! This worksheet should help you get started on your research project. Its general questions and suggestions should apply to every topic, but the examples given are specifically for research on Islam.

1. Start in reference. This is a way to get a lot of information very efficiently. Also, you don’t have to walk up or down any stairs. Here are some reference books that should be helpful for all topics for this paper.

The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern Islamic World REF 909 O98

World Eras: The Rise and Spread of Islam 622-1500 REF 909.07 R59

The Islamic World Past and Present REF 909.09 I82

The Oxford History of Islam REF 297 O98

The Oxford Dictionary of Islam REF 297 O98D

Some questions to answer about your topic when you read a reference source:

What are the significant dates?

Who are the significant people?

What is the geographic area of this topic?

Does this topic have many names? If so, list as many as you can.

The answers you have written to the questions above are also called Search Terms. Use them in our databases and catalog.

2. Go to library.brooksschool.org and click on “Library Catalog”

Enter “Islam” as a search term. Check and see if the book is available, write down the call number and ask yourself, “does this seem like this will give me more information about my topic? Or is this a novel about Islam?” When you get to the shelf do two things, check next to the book you have selected for other similar books and look in the index for your topic. If it’s there, check the book out.

3. Look on our most popular electronic resources. Back at library.brooksschool.org you will find a list of electronic resources. Last year students performed over 10,000 searches on Ebsco, so start there. It is the top link, and it will expect you to click through a few screens before you get to the search box, every time click on the top option on the list. “Ebscohost web” and then ‘Advanced Placement source” Search “Islam NOT book” this will find all the records that are not book reviews but that mention Islam. This brings up a list of journal articles.

You might also try “Proquest Elibrary” back at the list of electronic sources select Proquest and then click on elibrary. Search “Islam” and you will get a list of results, sorted on the left side of the screen by material type.

ASK! ASK! ASK! The school has hired the women who work in this building to buy materials that will help you with your project, and then help you find those materials. We are LITERALLY waiting around to help you. We can save you time on this project! Stop by our offices or email us cmccarthy@brooksschool.org and amassoth@brooksschool.org