Where Are You Getting Your Research Information From?

1
Where Are You Getting Your Research Information
From?
Mary Gosson Library Media Specialist North
Syracuse Junior High mgosson_at_nscsd.org
2
Teachers and Librarians in the North Syracuse
Central School District see the quality of
student research papers declining. The problem,
they think, is in the source of the information
students are finding.
3
The Steps of the PPA

• Step 1 Define the Problem
• Step 2 Gather the Evidence
• Step 3 Identify the Causes
• Step 4 Examine an Existing Policy
• Step 5 Develop Policy Solutions
• Step 6 Select the Best Solution
• (Effectiveness vs. Feasibility)

4
Why does it matter? Isnt all information the
same?

• Where do you go for information for research
  papers?
• Books
• Online Databases for Journal/Magazines
• Google

5
Before the internet, students main source of
information for research came from books and
magazines or journals.
6
With the advent of the internet, journals
transitioned to online databases.
7
Lets Compare Books, Online Databases and Google

• Books
• Publisher determines whether content is print
  worthy authority

• Google
• Anyone can put up a web page no authority

• Online Database for Journal Searches
• Publisher determines whether content is print
  worthy authority

8
Problems with Google Searching

• Isnt always clear who authored the site
• Many websites are not updated
• Whats the bias?
• Is it factual or someones opinion?
• Is it just a hoax?

9
Decide for Yourselves

• Examine one of these websites. Is it a reliable
  source for information? Why not?
• Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus
• Holocaust
• Shakespeare