Here is a sample of my research:

BODY PIERCING

Section I: Introduction

In a world where uniformity is good and being an outsider is considered by many to be the worst possible outcome of life, people are constantly attempting to create a small degree of uniqueness without crossing too many societal boundaries of the norm.
Body piercing is one way to make one’s self distinct. But sticking a razor-sharp needle through flesh and purposely creating an open wound hardly seems the most practical way to distinguish ones self.
Body piercing comes in many shapes and forms. It can be as simple as an ear piercing, which has become almost a rite of passage for young girls, and can range to some very bizarre piercings of the neck, breasts, and even genitalia. There are body piercing shops all over the world, where professional body piercers get paid big bucks to safely and sanitarily pierce peoples skin.
Sanitation and health risks are huge issues in relation to body piercing. In most cases, if a sharp metal needle went through someone’s skin, he or she would be sent to the emergency room. Everything in a body piercing shop must be totally sterilized to avoid the spread of disease. The aftermath of getting a piercing is also a massive hassle. Different piercings have varying specific cleaning rituals that must be followed to prevent infection.
Most everyone knows basic facts about body piercing, but through my research I would like to uncover some history about this strange practice. I would also like to learn about the specific health risks associated with body piercings.
Since body piercing is a cultural phenomenon, everyone who is interested in cultural trends would be interested in my research. However, my intended audience is people who currently have body piercings and/or people who are considering getting something pierced.

Section 1-b: Keywords

UNC Library Catalogues:
1. “Body piercing” AND “history”
2. Body pierc? AND “health”

Academic Universe Lexis-Nexis:
1. “Body piercing” AND “health risk”
2. Body pierc?

Search Engine on Web: http://www.yahoo.com
1. “Body piercing” AND “sanitation”
2. “Body piercing” AND “health” NOT “body jewelry”

Section II: UNC Library Sources

Two Print Sources:
1. Reybold, Laura. Everything You Need To Know About the Dangers of Tattooing and Body Piercing. 1st ed. New York: Rosen Publishing Group, 1996. Computer file available online at Electronic Book netLibrary.
2. Wilkinson, Beth. Coping With the Dangers of Tattooing, Body Piercing, and Branding. New York: Rosen Publishing Group, 1998. Computer file available online at Electronic Book netLibrary.

One Non-Paper Source:
1. Various, (1999). [Collection of art work]. Body Probe: Mutating Physical Boundaries. London. Call Number: HQ79.B63

Section III: Electronic Indexes and Databases Sources

1.Grant, Dorothy. (2002, September 10). Pierced!: Why Do Some People Think That Hanging Pieces of Metal From Gaping Holes in Their Bodies Carries No Health Risks? Medical Post. 864 words. Available: LexisNexis Academic Universe [2003, February 1].
2.No author given. (2003, January 1). Body Jewelry: From Fad to Trend. National Jeweler. p. 52, 1815 words. Available: LexisNexis Academic Universe [2003, February 1].
3.Boston, Gabriella. (2002, October 22). Piercing Questions; Doctors Warn of Health Hazards. The Washington Times. p.B01, 1077 words. Available: LexisNexis Academic Universe [2003, February 1].
4.Cox, Lauren. (2002, October 14). Sticking to it Piercings, Once Rebellious Statement, Now Fashionable. Chattanooga Times/Chattanooga Free Press. p. D1, 1013 words. Available: LexisNexis Academic Universe [2003, February 2].
5.No author given. (2002, August 28). Piercings and the Law. The Ottawa Citizen. p. B2, 576 words. Available: LexisNexis Academic Universe [2003, February1].
6.Legg, Kari. (2002, August 17). Teen-age Rebellion: Do Tattoos and Piercings Promote Bad Behavior? The Charleston Gazette. p. P1C, 726 words. Available: LexisNexis Academic Universe [2003, February 2].

Section IV: Web Sources

1. Title of Web Page: Tribalectic: The Definitive Source for Everything Pierced
Web Address: http://www.tribalectic.com/Home.asp
Brief Description: A very informative web page that includes multitudes of information on body piercing. It contains an online gallery of body jewelry that is for sale, a photo page containing pictures of actual piercings, interactive message boards, as well as plenty of piercing facts.
Source of Web site: Tribalectic, Inc.

2. Title of Web Page: Body Piercing: Your Piercing Home
Web Address: http://www.body-piercing.com
Brief Description: This site has links on its home page to different body parts to potentially get pierced. It has pictures and gives many details about each specific piercing. It also outlines how piercings typically take place, how to care for each piercing, and what, if any, complications can arise from each.
Source of Web site: Body Piercing Ltd.

3. Title of Web Page: History of Body Piercing
Web Address: http://www.tonguerings.net/history.htm
Brief Description: It makes sense that different body piercings have different histories associated with them. This site devotes most of its efforts on telling an interesting, in-depth history for each specific body piercing.
Source of Web site: Cheyenne Morrison, The Piercing Temple

4. Title of Web Page: Altered Body.com: Tattoos, Body Painting, Piercing
Web Address: http://www.alteredbody.com
Brief Description: Alteredbody.com contains a search engine within the site itself for specific body art and piercing questions. Although the main historical focus is on tattoos, it contains numerous body piercing photo galleries and detailed information on genital piercings.
Source of Web site: Alteredbody.com

5. Title of Web Page: Association of Professional Piercers
Web Address: http://www.safepiercing.org
Brief Description: This is the official web site for the Association of Professional Piercers; an international non-profit organization that is dedicated to providing a safe service. The site contains contact data, information on how to become a piercer, and links to various other APP publications.
Source of Web site: Association of Professional Piercers

Section V: Internet Mini-Essay

Being Informed is the Most Important Factor in Body Piercing Safety
The Internet is a wonderful tool; quick and easy information at your fingertips. It is a marvelous concept that has changed the lives of every living person in modern society. Every aspect of our lives has in some way been impacted by the use of this new medium; including body piercing.
In this day and age, a company without a web site is considered behind the times. Not only does not having a web site bring about negative connotations amongst the public, but it also may result in a gradual loss of revenue for the mere fact that your company name is not getting any recognition. Many companies use the Internet as a marketing tool; and the same holds true for body piercing shops.
When people consider getting something pierced, they are going to do research beforehand. By having a company web site, you allow for people all over the world to have access and see why certain shops are better than others.
Aside from making it easier to find body piercing shops, the advent of the Internet allowed people to research actual body piercings themselves. People can search online for information about health risks, cleaning techniques, piercing photo galleries, and much more. You can also search for and buy body jewelry.
Body piercing is a risky practice. People need to be very well informed about the dangers that are involved with getting pierced. The Internet allows people to get all of the information they need in order to make an informed decision.

Notes:
1. Boston, Gabriella. (2002, October 22). Piercing Questions; Doctors Warn of Health Hazards. The Washington Times. p.B01, 1077 words. Available: LexisNexis Academic Universe [2003, February 1].

2. Cox, Lauren. (2002, October 14). Sticking to it Piercings, Once Rebellious Statement, Now Fashionable. Chattanooga Times/Chattanooga Free Press. p. D1, 1013 words. Available: LexisNexis Academic Universe [2003, February 2].

Web Sites:
1. Title of Web Page: Pierced Pleasures
Web Address: http://www.piercedpleasures.net/
Brief Description: This site has basic information on tattoos and body piercings. It also includes a gallery section that has links to numerous other web pages containing pictures of actual piercings.
Source of Web site: Piercedpleasures.net

2. Title of Web Page: Tattoos/Body Piercings
Web Address: http://tattoo.about.com
Brief Description: About.com is a site that allows the user to search for a variety of topics. It has a lot of reliable information about tattoos and piercings and also contains links to many other useful websites.
Source of Web site: About.com

3. Title of Web Page: Body Piercing
Web Address: http://all-body-piercing.com/
Brief Description: This site not only gives information on the procedure and the history, but it has separate sections for all the different types of piercings and differentiates it between male and female.
Source of Web site: all-body-piercing.com

Section VI: Comments
While doing this project, I became easily irritated and overly frustrated by all the different sub-tasks involved. Originally my comments section was going to be filled with angry words of resentment, but now I realize that not only did I enjoy researching a topic that interested me, I am a lot better at finding credible and valuable information and using a variety of search features.