Research Ate My Brain: The Panic-Proof Guide to Surviving Homework

by Toronto Public Library

Remember the panic that set in when your teacher assigned a research project? While the sense of foreboding hasn’t changed, the advent of cyberspace means the access to information is greater than ever before. How do students tackle the information overload without a professional guide constantly at their side? Written in a breezy, humorous style, this handy handbook shows students how to master the vast and complex resources that are available. Each chapter breaks the research process down into bite-sized pieces: how to access invaluable library materials (books, journals, newspapers, databases, audio and video); secrets to successful surfing online; how to identify and source reliable research sites; best bets on fact gathering; and, most importantly, evaluating and organizing all that information. Sidebars offer insights on everything from how to chat with an electronic librarian to finding obscure centers of dependable information around the globe. A slew of timesaver tips promote efficiency and maximize results. Martha Newbigging’s spunky cartoons underscore the you-can-do-it attitude that characterizes this indispensable guide. It belongs in every backpack, briefcase, or home study.

Genres: Nonfiction

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for teaching students the research process and the importance of evaluating information sources. The book is a light read and will appeal to reluctant readers since it is filled with comics that illustrate the importance of following all the steps in the research process.

My favorite section of the book is entitled, "The Boy Who Believed the Holocaust Didn't Happen". The author tells a story about a boy that believed the article, "A Short Introduction to the Study of Holocaust Revisionism", he found on a university website was accurate. After the story, the author elaborates on how students should avoid falling into the same trap. The book also has a nice glossary and index.

[Selena]

This resource addresses the great need for a practical, teen-centered guide on how to conduct effective information searches, whether they be print or digital. This guide helps kids get a handle on research projects with chapters entitled 'The Dummy-Proof Work Plan', to resources available in the library, as well as on line and even shows kids how to evaluate the information they find and how to correctly cite sources. Far from a boring research guide, this book also contains relevant comics, humourous illustrations and sidebars. Finally, with recommended sites, a detailed glossary and suggestions for further readings, this tool should be on the shelf of every middle and high school library. Age 13 plus.