1. Finding and Evaluating Sources

2.  Online Catalog: Search ALL the resources of the library; access through library computers or remotely through Internet  Electronic Databases: Access to hundreds of newspapers, magazines, journals; may include lists of citations and abstracts or entire articles and books  Reference Works: Generalized or Specialized Encyclopedias  Sources for Facts and Statistics: Reference works; available online or in reference section

3.  Illini Bluffs HS Library http://illinibluffsmshslibrary.weebly.com/data bases.html  Illinois State University http://library.illinoisstate.edu/library- materials/find-materials/databases.php  Illinois Central College http://apps.icc.edu/library/research/

4. INTERNET  Coverage is general, haphazard  Sources may not contain bibliographic info  Web postings are not filtered  Material is posted by anyone, regardless of qualifications LIBRARY DATABASES  Coverage is focused and often discipline-specific  Sources contain bibliographic info  Databases are created by librarians and scholars  Material is checked for accuracy and quality

5. 1. Entering a Web site’s URL 2. Doing a keyword search (all search engines)  broad term (civil war)  specific term (Battle of Gettysburg)  use “AND” or quotation marks to limit hits 3. Doing a subject search (some search engines)  choose from list of general subjects (science)  choose from list of subtopics (environment)  given list of web sites that may apply

6.  http://guides.emich.edu/content.php?pid=9 8230&sid=736436 http://guides.emich.edu/content.php?pid=9 8230&sid=736436

7.  A source is authoritative when it is written by an expert  Ask:  Is there an author listed?  If not, who decides what is published?  If so, what else has the author written?  If so, do other authorities on the Web recognize this person as an expert?  Is there a sponsoring organization?  If you can not determine the degree of authority of material, do not use the site as a source

8.  A source is accurate if you can rely on the information it contains.  Reliable: sources published by university presses or scholarly journals, books published by commercial presses, articles in high-level magazines, newspaper articles  Ask:  How does the information compare to other sources?  Does the author include citations?  What information about the author is on the Web?  If you can not determine the objectivity of material, do not use the site as a source

9.  A source is objective when it is not unduly influenced by personal opinions or feelings (bias does not automatically disqualify a source)  Ask:  Are writer’s conclusions supported by evidence?  Or are they a result of emotional reactions or preconceived ideas?  Does the advertising on a site affect its objectivity?  Does a site’s commercial purpose create a conflict of interest?  If you can not determine the accuracy of material, do not use the site as a source

10.  A source is current if the information it contains is up-to-date  Print sources have publication dates  For Web sites and blogs, ask:  When was the Web site last updated?  What are the dates of individual articles?  Are the links on the site still live?  If you can not determine if the site has current material, do not use the site as a source

11.  A source is comprehensive if it covers a subject in sufficient breadth and depth  Your purpose and audience determines how comprehensive you need a source to be  Ask:  Does it discuss your topic in one or two paragraphs? Or devote more space to it?  What is the level of the source? Appropriate for high school research? Or college level?  If a source is not comprehensive enough for your needs, do not use the site as a source