information literacy search and evaluate. need for information aware of information needed locate /...
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Information LiteracyInformation LiteracyInformation LiteracyInformation Literacy
Search and EvaluateSearch and Evaluate
Need for Information• Aware of information needed• Locate / identify information needed• Set up problems• Develop action plan/s to solve informa
tion problems independently or collaboratively
Format of Information• Paper vs. electronic • Primary vs. secondary • Scholarly vs. popular • Peer-reviewed vs. non-
governance • Books vs. articles
Sources of Information• general books, reference works, periodicals (po
pular magazines, substantive news, scholarly journals, newspapers)
• media (broadcasting programme, video, DVDs, CDs, cassette tapes, slides, multimedia kits, etc)
• statistical sources, conferences, oral communication, CD-ROMS
• Internet (WWW, emails, chat, online database and newsgroups)
University of Udayton, 2004; CUHK, 2006
The information timeline for an event
CUHK, 2006
Flow of scientific information
CUHK, 2006
Magazines & Journals Popular Magazines Characteristics Scholarly Journals
cover general interest topics
Focus report the research and experimental results on various topics or advances in the field
general public Target Audience scholars, researchers, professionals, and students in the field
journalists and freelance writers
Author scholars and researchers in the field
commercial enterprises Publisher universities, academic research institutions, professional associations, and commercial
enterprises
articles are usually reviewed by the
editorial staff
Review articles are evaluated by scholars or experts in the field
seldom provided Footnotes and bibliographies
include bibliographies or references to other works
usually short,1-5+ pages
Length of articles
usually lengthy, 3-30+ pages
general language for the public
Language used language is more specialize or specific to field of study
many photographs and advertisements
Advertising few advertisements
Newsweek; Times Examples Journal of Finance; China Quarterly
CUHK, 2006
Effective Searching Effective Searching StrategiesStrategies
Effective Searching Effective Searching StrategiesStrategies
Identify questions related to the topic
CUHK, 2006
Example Topic: Discuss the safety of genetically modified food for
children
MAJOR CONCEPTS Safety Genetically modified
food Childr
en
SYNONYMS / RELATED TERMS
• security • biosafet
y
• genetically modified crop • genetically modified organism • genetically engineered food • genetically engineered crop • genetically engineered organism
-
ABBREVIATION -
• GM food • GM organism • GM crop • GMO
-
PLURAL / SINGULAR
-
• genetically modified foods • genetically modified crops • genetically modified organisms • genetically engineered foods • genetically engineered crops • genetically engineered organism
s • GM foods • GM organisms • GM crops
• child
CUHK, 2006
Where should I start looking?
Monash University (2005).
Type of information
Sources Where to look
Current / up to date information
Journals, WWW
Databases and Indexes, Search engines and gateways
Comprehensive information
BooksLibrary catalogue, browsing the shelves
Background information
Books, encyclopedias
Library catalogue
Select the Right Information Sources
Look forSources
of Informati
on
How to Find itContent Time
Frame
anything, e.g. personal information, current events, government information, research, games, and more.
Immediate to Hours
Internet
Internet Search Tools e.g. subject directories and search engines.
news, statistics, photographs, editorial and public opinions, etc.
Days NewspapersNewspaper Indexes; Research Databases.
current events, statistics, photographs, editorial and public opinions, etc.
WeeksPopular Magazines
Indexes and Abstracts; Research Databases.
Research results, analysis, statistics, etc.
Months
Conference Proceedings /
Scholarly Journals
Indexes and Abstracts; Research Databases.
In-depth coverage of a topic, analysis, etc.
2+ YearsScholarly
BooksLibrary Catalogue; Research Databases.
Broad overviews of a topic and widely accepted information
5+ YearsEncyclopedias and Reference
Works
Library Catalogue; Research Databases.
CUHK, 2006
Boolean searching• combine 2 or more search terms to
increase or restrict the amount of result
• 3 main commands: – OR– AND– NOT
Using OR
CUHK, 2006
Using AND
CUHK, 2006
Using NOT
CUHK, 2006
Other skills• Search Strings
– “information literacy”• Nesting
– (marketing and (radio or television)• Trunction
– Wildcard *– E.g., educat* reform*
Further refining of your strategy
Too few results?Too many
results?• study a large aspect of your topic • examine footnotes and
bibliographies from retrieved items to locate additional sources for your topic
• focus on a particular aspect of your topic
expand your topic to a large time span or large geographical region
limit your topic to a specific time period or geographic region
broaden your topic by :
• adding synonyms or alternative spellings
• broadening your search with OR • using a broader term • using truncation
narrow your topic by :
• using a more specific term • narrowing your search with
AND • limiting your search to
specific fields e.g. publication date
• using truncation
try another database or search tool
CUHK, 2006
Building on what you've found
• Use a relevant/useful record• Find other books on the shelves
sorted by subject areas in the library
• subject headings or descriptors• Use the references and
bibliographies
Monash University (2005).
Information search tools
Library catalogues
Research database
Internet search tools
Keywordsearch
Title search
SubjectHeading search
Journalarticles
Newspaper articles
Searchengines
Web sites
Meta-Searchengine
Scholarlybook
E-Journal e-BookKey
organizations
Subjectsearch
Encyclopedia /Dictionary
Conclusion Conclusion
MCL, 2006
Evaluation of Evaluation of WebsitesWebsites
Evaluation of Evaluation of WebsitesWebsites
Criteria • Authority / Credibility (Author credentials,
Peer review of material, Publish body)• Objectivity (Fact vs opinion)• Audience (Popular vs academic)• Coverage • Accuracy• Currency (up-to-date)• Relevance
Evaluate Web Sites - Authority
• What type of domain does the site come from?
• Who "published" the site? • Is it a personal web site? • Can you tell who (person or
institution) created the site? • Are the author's credentials listed
on the site?
The University of North Carolina, 2004; CUHK, 2006
Domain of website
CUHK, 2006
Domain
Name
Types of Organizations
Remarks
.gov Government Usually reliable
.org Organization
Good for information about the organization or a particular field if the organization is the professional body that defines standards for the field
.edu Education/Academic
Usually reliable.ac
.netNetwork services provider
May be biased to promote their products;usually provides update online manual and product information
.comCommercial
site
~ Personal website
Quality varies greatlyIMPORTANT: Not every personal website has a "~" in its URL, e.g. http://www.ccs.neu.edu/home/achan/
Evaluate Web Sites - Purpose
• What is the stated or implied purpose of the site?– Inform, explain, or supply facts and data?
Such sites may be useful.– Promote, sell, disclose, entice, or rant?
These sites need close scrutiny.• Does the site have a "hidden" purpose?
– Some sites might seem that they intend to inform the public, but actually try to sway opinion. Be on the lookout for hidden agendas!
Evaluate Web Sites - Currency
• When was the site created?– Look for a copyright date at the bottom of the
page.• When was the site last updated?
– The last update date is usually at the very top or bottom of the page. Web sites that are not updated regularly may be "abandoned."
• Is the date appropriate for the topic? – For some topics, information a few months or
a year old is out-of-date.
Evaluate Web Sites - Content
• What type and depth of content does the site provide?– Check the coverage of the topic you're looking for. Does
the site add to the facts, issues, or arguments you're already aware of? Does it provide details not available elsewhere?
• What other sources does the site refer to, cite, or link to? – Look for allusions to other sources or lists of references.
• Can you verify the accuracy of the site?– Look for data, statistics, or other facts that you can check
against other sources. Then check them!
Evaluate Web Sites - Bias & Point of View
• Who created the site? What organizations support the site?– Look for hints that author or sponsor point of view or bias may
impact the reliability of the information. • Are links included that point to other viewpoints?
– Including opposing opinions may indicate that the site creators intend to be fair.
• Are there signs of bias in the site?– Check for the presence of opposing or one-sided viewpoints,
emotional language, prejudice, stereotypes, deception, or manipulation. Are there possible biases stemming from when or where the site was created? What cultural points of view might be present?
• Are you biased toward the site? – Consider your own opinions. Are you being objective in your
evaluation of the site?
Objectivity/Bias for website• Trace the URL back to the parent
institution. Any purpose / political agenda?– "About Us", "Mission", “About this
site”– Any advertisement?– other issues? – similar theme in policies or
solutions? – heads of the organization and
background? The University of North Carolina, 2004
Currency of websites• Created and updated date • Update frequency• Dates of statistical data / figures
collection• Recently updated page ≠ up-to-date• Currency is not an issue for some
types of information– Current medical research / case law vs.
humanity
The University of North Carolina, 2004
IL Assignment 2• Choose a topic of your own interest, e.g.,
What makes the earth warmer?• Download the template ILAss2• Search on the Internet to identify 5 sites
that you think are reliable• Fill-in the template reasons that support
your selections.• Submit to Moodle before the deadline
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