Finding reliable information on the Internet and through the Library website -presented by Terry Donovan, Public Services Librarian

Writing a paper What is the purpose of the written assignment? A successfully written essay demonstrates your ability to: find information, evaluate those sources, understand their content and write a synthesis of that understanding in your own words.

Four kinds of sources Scholarly (peer-reviewed) Substantive Popular Sensational

Evidence-based research Evidence-based medicine (EBM) or evidence- based practice (EBP) aims to apply the best available evidence gained from the scientific method to clinical decision making.

Academic Fraud Wakefield’s article linking MMR vaccine and autism was fraudulent. Wakefield’s article linking MMR vaccine and autism was fraudulent.

Using search engines Other search engines: Yahoo Bing WebCrawler and Dogpile search Google, Yahoo and Bing WebCrawlerDogpile Duckduckgo

Finding peer-reviewed literature In A comprehensive guide to intellectual and developmental disabilities by Ivan Brown, I see a reference to: Brown, I. (1999). Embracing quality of life in times of spending restraint. Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, 24(4), Let’s try finding that online.

Finding peer-reviewed literature Now let’s try finding that through the Library’s website.

Off-site authentication

Finding peer-reviewed literature The Federal Research Public Access Act (FRPAA) requires "free online public access" to a very large swath of publicly-funded research in the United States. It strengthens the open access (OA) mandate at the NIH by reducing the maximum embargo period from 12 months to six months, and extends the strengthened policy to all the major agencies of the federal government.

Internet hazards Anyone who has the equipment and the know-how can publish on the Internet. You need to be especially critical in evaluating Internet resources because they have by- passed the traditional publishing process.

Critical thinking Identified by employers surveyed as the top area of improvement for Portage College graduates. Can you review information and come to your own conclusions?

Bias Beware of agenda sites Martin Luther King Jr. A True Historical Examination Martin Luther King Jr. A True Historical Examination

Wikipedia A false Wikipedia 'biography' Editorial row engulfs Wikipedia

A final word about Wikipedia

Evaluating Internet sources Snopes.com Urban Legend Reference Page Snopes.com

Authority: Is the author an expert in the field you are researching? Is the author associated with a reputable organization? Does the author provide details of his qualifications/contact details? Is there any obvious bias? Look especially for URLs ending in.edu for educational sites, or.gov or.gov.ca for government sites.

Authority

Author expertise

Author affiliation

Relevance What subject or topic is covered? What is the purpose of the site?

Currency When was the site created? When was it last revised? How up-to-date are the facts?

Where’s the evidence? Are sources of specific information supplied? Are the sources reputable?

Use Smarthinking on Moodle Link to Smarthinking