Ms. Doyle, Librarian

Objectives:

1.Learn a few quick tips for searching

2.Practice evaluating a website to see if it is reliable

3.Know where to find the library databases

Currency – is the information too old? Relevance/coverage – does it tell you what

you need to know? Authority – who is the source of the info? Accuracy – is the information true? Purpose/objectivity – why does this site

exist? Could it be biased?

Credit: The CRAAP acronym is from Meriam Library at California State University Chico.

Compare with other sources – do they all agree?

Where did the author get his information?

Are they listed (footnotes, bibliography, etc.)?

Look at author’s sources because. . .

…they might be even better than your originalwebsite!

This is from the National Park Service.

Image Attibution: http://www.flickr.com/photos/will-lion/2595497078/sizes/z/in/photostream/

•Evaluate information – think critically, use your common sense

•Always compare multiple sources

•Still not sure? Do some research on the site (snopes.com)

•Always cite your sources (Citation Maker, Easybib.com, etc.)

What about Wikipedia?

What about Wikipedia?Scroll down. . .

Image Attribution: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeeperez/2453225588/

When should you use Wikipedia? Thumbs up or thumbs down:

1.To get a quick overview of your research topic?

2.As the main source of information for your research paper?

3.When reading about a pop culture topic of personal interest?

4.When making an important decision about your health?

5.To see what sources the article’s author’s used?