Finding+&+Evaluating+Sources

= = Finding and Evaluating Information Sources for Your Paper

It's important to evaluate information sources carefully. Anyone can publish on the web. You don't want to be embarrassed by using a third grader's web site as your source. And don't forget about books. In fact, your librarian can be one of your best sources of information. Links to the public libraries in our area are at the bottom of the page.

Before you go to Google or wikipedia, try these sources:

 * An encyclopedia is a good place for background info to get you started. You can access the Encyclopedia Britannica online through this link: [] (User name: shelby, password: county) Check the Web's Best Sites on the right side of the page of the article for web sites about your subject.
 * Check the catalog for your school library. Links to public library catalogs are at the bottom of the page.
 * Try this site: [] It's an academic search engine that accesses only trusted websites previously selected by librarians and teachers.
 * Tennessee Electronic Library is free to residents of TN. Address: [| http://tntel.tnsos.org/index.htm]
 * Check with your librarian about other databases or online sources that may be available to you.
 * Try one of these tools: http://cooltoolsforschools.wikispaces.com/Research+Tools

**Finding the Best Source for Your Topic:**
====NoodleQuest is a free part of the NoodleTools site and no log-in info is needed to use. Students can use this checklist to get help in defining a research topic and finding information sources to support it. @http://www.noodletools.com/noodlequest/ It’s an interactive version of Choose the Best Search for You: @http://www.noodletools.com/debbie/literacies/information/5locate/adviceengine.html====

http://www.virtualchase.com/quality/checklist_print.html
Basic Evaluation Questions: Who is the author: Is the author an authority on the subject? What are the author’s credentials? What is the author’s affiliation? (How is he “connected” to this article/company?) Is the material presented accurately? Can the information be verified by other sources? websites? Are the facts consistent with those in other sources or websites? Is the information backed up by facts, or are conclusions drawn from opinions? Is there a bibliography or other reference points? Is the information current? When was the last update written? Does the information concur (agree) with the latest info. on the subject? Is the information biased? Who published the material? Is the publisher affiliated with a biased organization? Does the material present only one side of an issue? What is the purpose of the publication?

**Internet Evaluation Questions:**
//When using internet sites for research, ask yourselves the following questions:// //What is the domain of the web page?// (Who’s responsible?) Can the domain name be used to verify the information presented on a webpage, and possibly identify any potential bias? .com = commercial site .gov = government site .org = organization site, usually non-profit .edu=university site .mil = military site .net = networked service provider

//For whom is the information intended?// Question: Although the information may be accurate, would a web site developed by an elementary school class be a good source of information for a research paper?

//Is the author listed? Can the author be contacted?// Even if a specific author is connected with an educational site, can the information be assumed to be accurate?

To Summarize: To make sure information cited for a research project is accurate, current, and relevant, balance each source with another. If one source has a biased viewpoint, find information to present the other perspective. Accuracy and validity should be required to include sources in any research presentation.

Some hints for evaluating sources:
[] [] [] [] []

This is a great tutorial on evaluating internet sources: grade 7 and up. []

Excellent for 8th grade and up. Deals with subject directories, meta search engines, etc.: [| http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Strategies.html]

[] Designed for middle and high school language arts classes, Digital Information Investigator training introduces teachers and students power searching, power evaluating, and ethical use of digital information.

[] This package helps students become thorough investigators through a combination of online case studies, tutorials and reports. Topics featured include how to find and evaluate authors, publishers, date and other critical evidence.

If you live in Arlington, Collierville, Germantown, or Millington, choose this link and choose the library you want to search: []

If you live in any other part of Shelby County, choose the Memphis library catalog: []