SIRS Knowledge Source

®

Online Tutorial

SIRS Knowledge Source ® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

sks.sirs.com

Updated 04/03

About SIRS Knowledge Source



SIRS Knowledge Source

®

(SKS)

is an online interface that provides integrated access to thousands of full-text articles, documents, Internet resources and graphics from SIRS’ highly acclaimed reference databases.

View Full Screen SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Content Offerings

      

SIRS Researcher ®

General Reference, Social Issues, Health, Science, Business

SIRS Government Reporter ®

Historic and Government Documents, Directories and Almanacs

SIRS Renaissance ®

Current Perspectives on the Arts & Humanities

SKS WebSelect ™

Selected Internet Sites

Special Features

Focus on Terrorism, Leading Issues, SIRS Newest & Today’s News

Link to SIRS Interactive Citizenship ™

Interactive Books

Link to SIRS Discoverer ®

Designed with the Younger Researcher in Mind SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Leading Issues

    Quick and easy access to 100 of the most researched, current and enduring issues.

Top Ten user choices are updated monthly. Develops critical thinking skills through the use of cross references.

Promotes problem solving by covering all aspects of an issue.

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Focus on Terrorism

   Top Stories updated daily.

Coverage of the Historical Background, Key Issues and Key Figures in the United States, Middle East, Iraq, Afghanistan, and India-Pakistan.

Multimedia features, including interactive Web sites, maps, video and audio clips plus primary source documents.

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Today’s News



The top national and global headline news stories are dynamically updated delivering late breaking news.



Includes photographs from Reuters News Archives

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

SIRS Newest

 The 50 most recently added articles and graphics in one easy to access location.

 Keep abreast of current events and the latest additions to SIRS databases.

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Editor’s Top Picks

 Articles, images and Web sites are regularly selected by the SIRS research team, a group composed of more than 40 professionals with diverse educational backgrounds, to be featured as an Editor’s Top Pick on the SIRS Researcher, SIRS Government Reporter, SIRS Renaissance and SKS WebSelect portals.

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Suggested Research Topics

   

Monthly Challenge Quest provided, with pathfinders appearing following month.

Provides ideas for research topics in SIRS Researcher, SIRS Government Reporter, SIRS Renaissance and SKS WebSelect Sample Subject Headings Keywords, and Topic Browse paths link directly to coverage of timely issues.

Showcases the use of Boolean operators, phrases, and truncation.

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

SIRS Researcher

 SIRS Researcher ® contains thousands of full text articles exploring social, scientific, health, historic, business, economic, political and global issues. Articles and graphics are selected from 1,500 domestic and international publications. View Full Screen SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Maps of the World

  Over 300 detailed, colorful maps are available as an online reference almanac. The maps include each of the 50 United States and the provinces and territories of Canada, as well as regions and nations of the world including Europe, Persian Gulf, Czech Republic, the Baltics and Times Zones of the World.

Maps may be printed, downloaded, saved and sent via e-mail.

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

World Almanac Excerpts

 The World Almanac Excerpts database contains information from The World Almanac and Book of Facts. Use this database to view articles about world history, profiles of all the nations of the world, important facts describing major international organizations and each of the 50 states of the union as well as the District of Columbia and outlying U.S. areas.

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Spotlight of the Month

 Spotlight of the Month articles have been selected as a sampling from the SIRS Researcher database to encourage research and awareness of topical issues. These articles can be found by searching the full-text database at any time and remain in the Spotlight of the Month

2003 Topics:

– Poverty Awareness Month – – Black History Month Women's History Month – World Habitat Awareness Month – – Older Americans Month Death Penalty – National High School Debate Topic – – Academic Decathlon Topic National Hispanic Heritage Month – Cloning – – National AIDS Awareness Month 10th Anniversary of NAFTA

American Model United Nations

 American Model United Nations contains articles selected from the SIRS Researcher database to provide supplemental information for the Model UN exercise. SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

SIRS Government Reporter

 SIRS Government Reporter ® delivers thousands of full-text documents and graphics concerning a wide variety of topics: health, science, economics, environment, politics, foreign affairs, business and industry. View Full Screen SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Country Profiles

 Profiles of nearly 200 countries from the U.S. State Department include information about the people, history, government, economy and geography of each country.

 Maps of each country are available in a printable format. SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Federal Agencies

   The Federal Agency Directory supplies useful background and contact information for hundreds of U.S. Government departments, agencies and commissions. Links to documents pertaining to each agency are offered.

Documents issued by each agency are included, sorted by department.

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Historic Documents

 The Historic Documents database provides more than two hundred full text documents, treaties and speeches with exceptional historic value.

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

National Archives Documents

 National Archives Documents provides highly visual primary sources from the National Archives and Records Administration to illustrate social, political and cultural themes in U.S. history. Annotated bibliographies, time lines, glossaries and brief biographies frequently enhance each historical unit.

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

U.S. Congress

  The U.S. Congressional Members Directory provides data on members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. This directory details professional background, telephone and e-mail contact information and committee assignments. The U.S. Congressional Committees directory lists the members of each committee. SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

U.S. Presidents

 The U.S. Presidents Directory offers biographical information and a portrait of each U.S. president, as well as information about presidential libraries, burial places and families.

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

U.S. Supreme Court

  U.S. Supreme Court Cases provides hundreds of full-text case documents dating back to the inception of the Court. Cases are selected for their constitutional and/or social value.

U.S. Supreme Court Justices directory lists appointment, term and background information for past and current U.S. Supreme Court justices. SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Spotlight of the Month

 Spotlight of the Month articles have been selected as a sampling from the SIRS Government Reporter database to encourage research and awareness of topical issues. These articles can be found by searching the full-text database at any time and remain in the Spotlight of the Month Archive for a year.

2003 Topics:

– Space Exploration – – Black History Month Women’s History Month – School Violence – – Clean Air Month Hurricanes – Civil Rights – – National Parks & Reserves National Hispanic Heritage Month – Substance Abuse Prevention Month – Career Profiles – World War II SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

SIRS Renaissance

 SIRS Renaissance ® 'Current Perspectives on the Arts & Humanities' provides current, dynamic information on Architecture & Design, Culture, Literature, Multimedia, Music, Performing Arts, Philosophy & Religion and Visual Arts.

View Full Screen SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Literary Corner

     A guide to the curricular study of prominent authors in major literary periods and regions.

Links to hundreds of online E-Books Literary Criticism Glossary of Critical Terms

The New Lifetime Reading Plan

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Award Recipients

 The Award Recipients database lists major award winners in all eight Renaissance categories, including Pulitzer Prizes in Literature, Bollingen Prizes in Poetry, Pritzker Architecture Prize, National Medal of the Arts, Academy Awards and the MacArthur Fellowships.

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Notable People



The Notable People section contains profiles of notable people in Architecture & Design, Literature, Music, Multimedia, Performing Arts, Philosophy, Religion and Visual Arts.

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Glossary of the Arts

   The Glossary of the Arts provides extensive explanations of terminology, symbols, ideas and people associated with the world of the arts and humanities. More than 11,000 definitions from

The Hutchinson Dictionary of the Arts

,

The Hutchinson Encyclopedia of Music

,

The Hutchinson Dictionary of Ideas

and

The Hutchinson Dictionary of Symbols in Art.

Related Article links expand on the information presented.

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Recommended References

 The Recommended References database provides suggestions for arts and humanities readings beyond the Renaissance database. Each recommendation includes a brief description of the book, along with author and publisher information.

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Spotlight of the Month

 Spotlight of the Month articles have been selected as a sampling from the SIRS Renaissance database to encourage research and awareness of topical issues. These articles can be found by searching the full-text database at any time and remain in the Spotlight of the Month Archive for a year.

2003 Topics:

– World Religions – – Black History Month Women’s History Month – Blues Music & America – – National Book Month Notable Architects – National Foreign Language Month – – Science Fiction Film & Literature National Hispanic Heritage Month – Museums Around the World – National American Indian Heritage Month – Winter Observances & Celebrations SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

SKS WebSelect

 SKS WebSelect provides access to quality Web sites on almost any subject. Utilizing time-tested techniques, SIRS editors evaluate sites originating from around the globe for credibility and relevance to researchers' needs. View Full Screen SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

SKS WebSelect Sites are

Relevant • Credible • Reliable

   

Hand-selected by subject specialists for the best content.

Retrieve the latest information on ever-changing fields, from Space Exploration and HIV/AIDS treatments to Terrorism around the globe.

Access primary source information and high-impact graphical content including Historic Documents, E-Books and Maps.

Dynamically updated & rigorously tested for content changes and high-availability.

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Spotlight of the Month

 Spotlight of the Month sites have been selected as a sampling from the SKS WebSelect database to encourage research and awareness of topical issues. These sites can be found by searching the full-text database at any time and remain in the Spotlight of the Month Archive for a year.

2003 Topics:

– Poverty Awareness Month – – Black History Month Women's History Month – World Habitat Awareness Month – – Asian Heritage Awareness Appreciation of the Arts – Space Milestones – – DNA & Genetic Research National Hispanic Heritage Month – Diversity Awareness Month – National American Indian Awareness Month – Universal Human Rights Month SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

SIRS Interactive Citizenship



SIRS Interactive Citizenship ®

includes three interactive books,

About Government About Economics What Citizens Need to Know About World Affairs

,

What Citizens Need to Know

and

What Citizens Need to Know

as well as links to databases and Web sites that enhance the learning experience by bridging the gap between enduring concepts and present day social issues.

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

What Citizens Need to Know About Government



A citizen needs to participate on an informed, regular basis to fulfill his or her role in society and to ensure continuing democracy. This interactive book provides a structure upon which to base an enduring interest and involvement in government.

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

What Citizens Need to Know About World Affairs



A citizen needs a historical perspective to understand the philosophies and concepts underlying events as they happen in various parts of the world. This interactive book provides a sound foundation for understanding world affairs from a global perspective.

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

What Citizens Need to Know About Economics



A citizen needs to understand the importance economics plays in any society, from the production of goods to the distribution of the world's resources. This interactive book describes economic principles which provide a structure for a continuing understanding of how our economic system works in an increasingly global environment.

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Two Formats

HTML (Hypertext Markup Language)  Interactive Hyperlinks to articles, documents graphics, in-line glossary and Web sites.

PDF (Portable Document Format)   Matches the documents original appearance for printing Add onscreen notes & highlighting SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Aligned to State & National Standards

    Direct Correlations are provided in the Educator’s Guide to State Academic Standards

What Citizens Need to Know About Government

conforms to the National Standards for Civics and Government

What Citizens Need to Know About World Affairs

conforms to the National Standards for World History and Geography

What Citizens Need to Know About Economics

conforms to National Economics Standards.

Students will “…understand competing ideas about civic life, politics, and government so that they can make informed judgments about what government should and should not do, how they are to live their lives together, and how to support the proper use of authority or combat the abuse of political power.” National Standards for Civics and Government [2001, May 16] SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Dynamic Linking



Links to continuously updated content



Late-Breaking News



Full-Text articles



Primary Source Documents



Internet Resources

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Downloadable Guides

The User’s Guide Covers:   Organization of the Interactive Book   Navigating the Chapters  Using the Discovery and Inquiry Forms The Educator’s Guide Covers: Key Concepts & Terms    Generalizations Analytical Questions Key Problems Activities SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Interactive Tools

    E-mail Communication & Research Tools Inquiry & Discovery Activities help to analyze and compare data Interactive approach to learning that promotes involvement Downloadable version for printing & note taking SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Search Methods

 Portal Interface – Users can search or browse SIRS databases and view the featured content.

 Quick Search - Users can locate articles, documents and Internet sites by searching subject headings or using their own combination of key words and phrases.  Advanced Search - Users can search multiple fields including full-text, author and title. In addition, proximity and graphic title searching are available.

 Topic Browse - Users can locate resources by exploring categories, topics and subtopics in a multi-level subject tree.

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Quick Search

 Search full-text articles and Internet site key words via the Keyword/Natural Language option, or use a Subject Heading index to quickly locate articles and sites related to that subject.  Boolean Operators AND, OR, NOT  Truncation farm* -> farmers, farming  Phrase Searching “affirmative action”  Natural Language Is there life on other planets?

 Article Sorting Relevance or Date SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Advanced Search



Advanced Boolean Searching with additional search fields available

– – Title Author 

Proximity Search



Graphic Title Search

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Topic Browse



Explore General Reference, Government and Arts & Humanities Categories by browsing a list of articles and sites sorted into topics and subtopics.

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Results List

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Full-Text Title Source Summary Descriptors Graphics Publisher Date Size Database SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Full Text Articles

     100% Full Text Keyword bolding of search terms, with quick locator links.

Tag, e-mail or bookmark articles and associated graphics.

Thumbnail images expand upon the text and link to full size graphics.

Related Articles appear at the bottom of the article.

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Source & Summary

   Source information accompanies every full-text article and Web site and is formatted for ease in creating citations. Summaries are written by SIRS’ staff and provide brief descriptions of full-text articles and sites, to aid in the selection process.

Source & Summary information can be sent to your personal e-mail address.

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Descriptors

 Descriptors are words or phrases, based on Library of Congress subject headings, that serve as an aid in selection and link to related articles and Web sites.

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Graphics

   Graphics accompany many full-text articles. A camera icon signifies that there are one or more graphics available.

Large graphics are also offered in PDF format for printing.

Graphics can be sent to a home e-mail address as an attachment.

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Functional & Reference Aids



E-mail



Clean Copy for Printing



Tagged List



Create/Print Bibliography



Search History



Session Save



Bookmarking



Dictionary & Thesaurus



Help Topics



Additional Resources

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

E-mail

 Users may send full-text articles , Web sites, source information, summaries, graphics, and citation guidelines to their personal e-mail addresses. SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Clean Copy for Printing

   Clean Copy removes key word markers and formats the text for printing.

The date the article was accessed on is included for use in citations.

A print button displays providing access to the print dialogue window of your browser.

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Tagged List

 Tag articles and Web sites during research to compile a running list of articles, sites, summaries and graphics.  Users can e-mail, print or link to any tagged item, or create a Bibliography of sources.

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Create Bibliography

   Create a Bibliography of full-text article and Web site sources from the Tagged List.

Include citation guidelines from the Modern Language Association (MLA) and the American Psychological Association (APA).

Print, e-mail or save the list for future reference.

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Search History



Search History provides a quick list of links to the previous searches performed during a session.



When used with Session Save, the number of results returned provide an indicator of any additional items matching your search terms since your last search.

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Session Save

 Save and retrieve tagged items and previous searches, compiling research over time.

 By entering a unique user name and password, sessions can be saved and retrieved for up to

30 days

.

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Bookmarking

   Create an Internet Explorer favorite instantly utilizing the special bookmark icon at the top of each full-text article. This enduring link remains valid for 60 days.

Build an electronic reserve or use for class assignments. SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Dictionary/Thesaurus

 Merriam-Webster's ® Collegiate Dictionary and Thesaurus are available to assist users in defining words, checking spelling, choosing the perfect word and more.

© 1997 by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated Copyright © 2000 by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.

Made in the United States of America.

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Help Topics



Toolbox

– The SKS Toolbox provides a single point of access to all of the reference materials available to SKS users. This includes the help, search tips, and other reference materials.



Help

- View the context-sensitive help index for full-featured help, including tips on Kiosk Navigation and System Administrator Options.



Tips

- Print out this handy reference sheet to refer to while performing searches.



Cite

- View details and examples of how to cite articles and documents retrieved from SIRS Knowledge Source.

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Librarian’s Corner

  Librarian's Corner includes a collection of materials designed to help librarians and library patrons. Access Librarian's Corner anywhere in SIRS Knowledge Source from a link provided in the footer of every page.

        What's New E-mail Bulletins Reference Toolbox Source List & Directory of Publications Library Promotional Materials System Administrator Options Frequently Asked Questions Links to Web Resources for Teachers & Librarians and more!

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.

Additional Resources

  

Research Strategy Worksheets Educator’s Guides

and are available in HTML and PDF formats. With these supplemental orientation materials, users are certain to obtain optimal results. SIRS educational and training materials help libraries meet the funding criteria for the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act by providing a means for testing student achievement and highlighting performance improvement strategies with student research worksheets.

In addition, SIRS provides links to State Standards in our Web Resource Center

An important aspect of SIRS is to provide quality customer service and support. Should you need it, our toll-free number is available 24 hours a day 365 days a year!

1-800-232-SIRS

SIRS Knowledge Source® Copyright © 2003 SIRS Publishing, Inc.