How to Research Oceanography   Tags: bridges, hill, ocean, oceanography, research, science, vasquez  

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* With over 70% of our planet covered with water, some historians have pondered why it was named "Earth" when in fact the name "Ocean" seems more fitting!

* A scientist can detect the depth of an ocean by sound, as echos bounce back to the surface and are recorded.

* The ocean's greatest pressure impact on a object is at the bottom of the ocean.

This LibGuide is meant to be a guide for teachers assigning Oceanography projects. You can use it yourself or offer it to your students as a research tool. It does not detail the guidelines of your particular assignment. It is meant to help them select topics we have resources for. We offer links to MPS databases, links to our school media center catalogs, suggestions and resources for presentation alternatives, some helpful suggestions for searches, and links to agencies educating us on global responsibility regarding our oceans.

Please be sure to read the copyright rules. 21st Century Learners use information ethically and legally. When in doubt, shout your source out!

This is meant to be the quick, down and dirty definition of Copyright terms. For more detailed explanations of the rules and your responsibility regarding copyright, see the "Copyright Made Simple" link in the Quick Citation Links box to the left.

Copyright:  Copyright is the law that protects authors or creators of "original works of authorship," including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic and other intellectual works. It allows the author to decide how, when, and where their work can be reproduced and used.

Fair Use:  Fair Use is one means by which copyrighted works can be used under certain circumstances without first obtaining permission of the copyright holder. Fair Use is limited, but flexible, and is commonly used in educational settings.  The "fair use" provision of copyright law isn't a simple yes or no.  There are four factors you should use to evaluate whether a use qualifies as fair:

1. Purpose and character:  Does it have a nonprofit, educational purpose?
2. Nature of the copyrighted work:  What kind of material do you want to use?  Fiction/nonfiction?  Published/unpublished?
3. Amount used:  Are you using a small portion of the copyrighted work?
4. Market effect:  Will your use deprive the author from making money?

Public Domain:  Works in the public domain are not protected by copyright, so you can use them freely.  This includes

• All works published in the US before 1923 
• Works by the US Government or created by its employees as part of their job

Cite your sources whenever necessary!

Who is "the father of oceanography"?

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