IL Step 4: Evaluating Search Results Information Literacy 1

Evaluating Information: Overview Why evaluate search results? ► Search results often contain irrelevant, inaccurate, and unreliable information ► Before expending the effort to obtain the full content, read, and analyze information each search result represents, we should filter the search results to select a set of results most likely to be useful. ► Evaluating information is an essential part of research Information Literacy 2 Key Questions ► Is the information accurate? ► Is it credible? ► Is it appropriate for what I need? ► Approach to information evaluation ► Evaluate information sources ► Consider information content ► Analyze citations

Information Evaluation: Basic Criteria 1.Type of Document ► The type of document can give an indication of the scope and content Textbook → a good introduction to a subject Conference Proceedings → Overview of the state of the art (most current) research findings Books usually give a broader coverage than journal articles, but the latter tend to be more up to date Information Literacy 3 Journal articles (Conference Papers) Books Book Chapters (Conference Proceedings)

Information Evaluation: Basic Criteria 2.Subject & Scope ► Examine title, keywords, subject headings, abstract ► Scan the preface, table of contents, index, bibliography ↓ ► Does the document cover the right topic? ► What is the breadth of the publication? ► Does the document provide an overview of the topic or is it focused on a specialized aspect of the topic? ↑ ► Is the document a primary research? Original research that presents new findings and theories ► Or a secondary research? Compilation or evaluation of previously presented material  e.g., review article, textbook Information Literacy 4

Information Evaluation: Basic Criteria 3.Intended Audience ► What type of audience is the author addressing? Scientist, professionals, general audience? ► Is the document Too elementary or basic Too advanced Too technical or applied Just right for your needs? ↓ ► Start with the right type of information source Information Literacy 5 4.Date of Publication ► Publication date should be appropriate for your project Do you need the most current information? –e.g., life science research Do you need the most established (validated) information? –e.g., information science research Do you need information from different time periods? –e.g., historical research

Internet Information: Overview Caveat Emptor - “let the buyers beware” ► Characteristics of information on the Internet Many document types  From blogs (personal opinion) to scholarly publications Diversity of authorship & purpose  Anyone can create Web content for any purpose Wide range of quality and trustworthiness  Information is typically not validated or peer-reviewed  Information could be inaccurate, incomplete, or biased. Mixture of dynamic and static information  Some Web contents change daily, some are never updated What the Internet lacks but libraries have ► Process of selection and quality control (editorial or refereed) Review process by the publisher Selection process by the librarian Information Literacy 6

Internet Information: Evaluation Criteria 1. Coverage 적용 범위 ► Is the information relevant to research topic? Subject & scope, intended audience 2. Accuracy 정확성 ► Can information be verified ? Citations & reference list available? Can information be cross-checked with other sources? ► Are there (grammatical, spelling, typographical) errors? → no quality control 3. Authorship/Authority 저자 / 권위성 ► Is it clear who wrote the document? ► Are author’s qualifications available and appropriate? ► Is there a sponsoring organization (or affiliation) for the author? ► Who published the information? Check the URL → university, company? 4. Objectivity 객관성 ► What is the purpose of the publication? Why was this written for whom? ► Is there a sponsoring organization for the author? ► Is the information opinion, fact, or propaganda? 5. Currency 현재성 ► When was the document created (& updated)? ► Look for broken links and outdated information ← Do not trust the date stamp Information Literacy 7

Information Evaluation: Exercise Project: “Relationship between human activity and the temperature of the earth” 1.Use documents written by a.An atmospheric physicist at Stanford University and founder of the Science and Environmental Policy Project b.A Washington Post reporter who has written articles such as "Arctic Ice Shelf Crumbles Into Sea," and “Perils of the Greenhouse Effects.“ c.The president of an Environmental club and publisher of a Web site that discusses the major causes of global warming in the last 100 years. Project: “The current use of primates in scientific laboratories” 2.Which document will be most useful? a."Monkeys in our Labs," by Scott Gottieber, a USA Today staff writer. Published in USA Today Dec 15, Includes chart, "Number of Test Primates in the US, " b.Laboratory Primate Advocacy Group website. LPAG is a nonprofit organization. Website last updated in "LPAG believes that the laboratory is no place for monkeys and nonhuman great apes.“ c."Better numbers on primate research," by Constance Holden. Published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Appeared in Science, a scholarly publication, on March 30, Information Literacy 8

Information Evaluation: Exercise Project: “Social benefits & liabilities for tribes developing casinos on Indian reservations” 3.Select the source more likely to be current a.Book published in 1998 about gaming on American Indian lands b.Pechanga.net, Indian gaming news on the Internet 4.Select the database more likely to be relevant a.Sociological Abstracts b.Biological Abstracts 5.Select the source more likely to be authoritative a.Peer-reviewed article published in UNLV Gaming Research & Review b.Article published in Sports Illustrated 6.Select the source more likely to be accurate a.Employment statistics from a newsletter published by a grassroots organization opposed to gambling b.Employment statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor web site 7.Select the source more likely to suit the purpose of the report a.Pechanga.net, Indian gaming news on the Internet b.Peer-reviewed article published in UNLV Gaming Research & Review Information Literacy 9