CCBC Dundalk Library - Activity for Searching for Information

"Information Glut" There is now so much information that you need to find the "good stuff."   A search strategy will help you find quality information quickly. Follow these guidelines for finding and evaluating information.

Name:                                                                                        Class:

 

I. Pick a topic to research - It could be something from your text, syllabus, current news, controversial topic, related to your class, or general topic of interest to you.

        What is your topic?

 

 

        List the key words in your topic.

 

 

a) Think of Synonyms - Think of different words or phrases to represent your topic. (Ex: grief or bereavement)

Use a thesaurus or Use words, descriptors, subject or sub headings in the databases.

        What are some other words you could use to find information on your topic?  List them here.

 

 

 

II. Gather information from different resources

1. Reference Resources - Gathering Factual data and background information.

Use general or specific subject oriented encyclopedias for background information.

Use a handbook to find factual data like statistics or use a dictionary for a definition.

Also see Library Virtual Reference with on-line dictionaries, encyclopedias, statistical web sites…)
  http://www.ccbcmdmd/libraries/dundalk/d_virtual_reference.htm

·         If you needed these reference resources - list those resources here.
 

 

2. Books :  Use our On-line catalog, http://library.ccbcmd.edu/search/ in which you can locate books on all three campuses using an author, title, subject, or keyword search.

• List any books you needed and how you found them (keyword, subject search…)

 

 

3.  Articles are usually found in magazines, journals, newspapers, or on-line web zines.
Articles are: more specific and focused than books, more current, present interpretations of issues, and most common method to report research findings.

Use the databases on the library web pages to find articles. http://library.ccbcmd.edu/screens/d_databases.html

Choose the database by its subject or focus: general, health, business, database etc.

• Did you find an article?                  Title of article or attach copy of article.

 

• Which database or databases did you use?

 

 

• Which words or terms did you use to find your articles?

 

4. World Wide Web   There are many methods to find good information on the web.

 

a) A Subject Directory organizes sites by subject. - See library web site on subject directories:  http://www.ccbcmd.edu/libraries/dundalk/internet_subject.htm

Some directories not only organize but also evaluate web sites. See the library web site:  http://www.ccbcmd.edu/libraries/dundalk/internet_evaluative.htm

Example of good evaluative subject directory- Librarians Index to the Internet: http://www.lii.org/

 

• Did you use a subject directory?         Which Subject directory did you use?

 

 

• What words did you use to find your web site?

 

 

• Why did you choose this web site?

 

 

 

b) Search Engines & Meta Search Engines allow you to find specific information using words or phrases.

See the library web site on search engines:  http://www.ccbcmd.edu/libraries/dundalk/internet_searchengine.htm

An example of a good search engine is Google:  http://www.google.com/

See the library web page on Meta search engines:  http://www.ccbcmd.edu/libraries/dundalk/internet_meta.htm

An example of a Meta search engine is Vivismo:  http://vivisimo.com/form?form=Advanced

 

• Did you use a search engine?           Which search engine did you use?

 

 

• What words did you use to find you web site?

 

 

• Why did you choose this web site?

 

 

 

III. Evaluate what you find.  Some criteria to evaluate information include:

Accuracy: Is this page reliable and free from error?

Authority:  Who is the author? Are the person, institution, and publisher credible? What are there qualifications?

Objectivity: Purpose of the site? Bias? Mask for advertising?

Currency: When was it written, updated? Current facts?

Coverage: Did they tell you enough or give enough detail?

See the library web page on evaluation criteria:  http://www.ccbcmd.edu/libraries/dundalk/criteria.htm

• Write an annotated bibliography of why you selected this web site or information resource. Include a few web sites or resources you did not to use for this assignment and why you did not use them.