Using bib cards makes organizing research simpler and easier to access.
Bib cards, short for bibliography cards, are research tools that help make the organization and linking of sources to their information easier for those just beginning with research, or for those who prefer the method. Bib cards are 3-inch-by-5-inch index cards with a single full bibliography citation written in the center. Bib cards correlate to their accompanying research cards and are linked via a number. The allow for the future citation of sources in a bibliography to be virtually flawless.
Instructions
1. Acquire a stack of 3-inch-by-5-inch index note cards. Most office supply stores carry note card packs in quantities of 100 to 500. The bib cards must be kept separate from the research cards to make research easier. Keep the cards either on a metal ring, filing card holder or plastic zip-top bag. Rings and card cases can be found at most office supply stores. If using a metal ring to organize the bib cards, hole punch the upper-left corner to string it onto the ring.
2. Write the full bibliography bibliography information of each source on the card (only one source per card). The majority of middle and high school research papers and projects that call for bib cards require the use of Modern Language Association (MLA) style formatting for citing sources. However, you should always check with your teacher to verify which format you should use. Make sure all of the information in the exact format is on the card to make compiling the bibliography in the future easier.
MLA Bibliography Citation Example:
Author's last name, author's first name. Title of the book in italics. Location of publication: name of publisher, year. Type of publication (i.e. print, web, etc).
3. Note the location where you accessed each source on the bottom right-hand corner of your card. Knowing where each source is located saves a lot of time in guesswork if you unexpectedly need to consult the source again in the future, especially if you use multiple locations (such as your school's library and the public library) to do your research.
4. Place a large number beginning with "1" in the upper right-hand corner of the card. This number is the source number and should be placed on every research card that correlates to the source. This makes citing information in the text easier as a research note on card "2" can be link easily to bib card 2 without the confusion of names and titles.
5. Keep all of the bib cards in numerical, not alphabetical, order for ease of research. When you later compile the bibliography, they will then be arranged in alphabetical order.
Tags: each source, 3-inch-by-5-inch index, alphabetical order, beginning with, full bibliography, Keep cards, metal ring