Reading 052 -- Doing Research
Ms. V. Hicks
What is information literacy?
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Information literacy is the ability "to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate and use effectively the needed information." American Library Association
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About the Web...
When you use a search engine it is very important to evaluate the page or site using some strict criteria. Browsing or searching directories can get you to Web pages or Web sites that have been evaluated.
How do you evaluate information?
1. First you look at the URL (Web address)
http://www.ccbcmd.edu/libraries/essex/index.html
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http://
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www
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ccbcmd
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.edu
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/libraries/-- File /index/--
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Type of transfer or kind of information
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indicates Web (not required)
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indentifies server or main host
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domain type,
other domains: .com;.net; .gov;.org;.de
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File subset .html also htm = hypertext mark up language
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2. Look for other criteria to evaluate the page or site:
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Currency
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Relevance
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Authority
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Accuracy
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Purpose
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The handout given in this session has a set of questions you can try to answer to help evaluate the source you are reviewing. CCBC Libraries have also created a useful guide to evaluate Web pages. When in doubt of who sponsors a site, use WhoIs Source.
Test your knowlede of evaluating web sites.
Evaluate these sites using your handout:
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Library resources...
About books...
The collection in this library is organized according to the Library of Congress classification system. Call numbers consist of a combination of letters and numbers.
About articles...
The library subscribes to online databases, which provide access to magazines, newspapers and journals in electronic format.
Use the databases listed below for articles on your topic.
Please note: these databases are also available off-campus. You need a student ID barcode and create a password.
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Academic Search Premier
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Articles from research-oriented materials, journals, and general interest magazines.
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Opposing Viewpoints
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Provides viewpoint articles, topic overviews, statistics, primary documents, magazine and newspaper articles.
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National Newspapers
Baltimore Sun
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Provides full text access to four major newspapers: New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Christian Science Monitor, Washington Post.
Offered as a separate database this offers access to full text of the SUN.
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Need help citing your sources? Use these citation handouts on the help guides page.
Page updated 02/25/08 -- MM/DS
