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For academic research at the high school level and beyond, databases are the way to go. A database collects sources from professional journals and magazines and puts them in one place that is easy to search. In other words, you can search them like you do the internet, but you'll find quality sources without having to wade through the internet riffraff—and they even have citation resources to make your citation process easier.
Power Library databases cross subject boundaries and are free to PA residents, either via a public library card or at school. Use Power Search to cross-check Academic One File, Info Trac Newsstand, and General One File. Also consider Consumer Health Complete, E-Books, Science Reference, Business Insights, Health & Wellness, GREENR, and Educator's Reference.
Pew Research Center is a "fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world." The Center prides itself on being nonpartisan and not taking policy positions, so it should be an impartial source for social science topics and current issues. It offers a search feature as well as useful subject and topic tabs.
ERIC is a database of education resources freely available on the internet that provides journal articles, reports, conference papers, and other materials on education-related topics. Use the "full text available on ERIC" search option to get access to full articles, and if needed, narrow your search to only peer reviewed articles.
If you do want to Google something for a school research assignment, try Google Scholar. The advantage of this over regular Google is that it limits the search results to articles, theses, books, abstracts, and court opinions from academic and professional sources. Note, though, that some sources Google Scholar locates are not accessible for free.