TSEM 102: Library Session 1 Evaluation and Keywords

Laksamee Putnamlputnam@towson.edu

Research & Instruction Librarianhttp://bit.ly/tsemfathsp2017c1

First…Laksamee Putnamlputnam@towson.eduCook Library Reference:

410.704.2462.IM/email

Phone: 410.704.3746.Twitter: @CookLibraryofTUAlbert S. Cook Facebook profile!

A quick plug…Apply to be a part

of the library’s Civil Rights Student Symposium!May 12th, 2017

Find out more here!

AgendaPre-class reading DiscussionEvaluating Resources - TILKeywordsFind a website resource

Wikipedia Woes and Google Gaffs

What are the pros and cons of so much information being online?

What do you do to be sure you’re finding credible resources? Which criteria did you like best

from the “Spotting Bad Science”? Why?

What does A or B testing mean for your research online?

Who do you think is responsible for fact checking? Why?

Brumming, A. (2015) A rough guide to spotting bad science. Compound Interest. http://www.compoundchem.com/2014/04/02/a-rough-guide-to-spotting-bad-science/

New York Times (2013) If a Story Is Viral, Truth May Be Taking a Beating http://nyti.ms/1d7MUUB

A or B. (2015). Planet Money podcast. http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2015/12/11/459412925/episode-669-a-or-b

Today I Learned (TIL)In Reddit people share “headlines” in TIL

format

Which resources are “good”

Which resources are “bad”

How do you know?

Today I Learned (TIL)

Today I Learned (TIL)

Today I Learned (TIL)

Check for CRAAPCurrencyRelevanceAuthorityAccuracyPurpose/Point of View

Check for CRAAPCurrency

How recent is the information?

Can you locate a date when the resource was written/created/updated?

Based on your topic, is this current enough?

Why might the date matter for your topic?

Check for CRAAPRelevance

How does this information relate to your topic?

Who is the intended audience?

How does this resource compare to others you have looked at?

Check for CRAAPAuthority

Can you determine who the author/creator is?

What are their credentials (education, affiliation, experience, etc.)?

Who is the publisher or sponsor of the work/site?

Is this publisher/sponsor reputable

Check for CRAAPAccuracy

Is the information supported with evidence?

Has the information been reviewed?

How confident are you that the content is correct?

Check for CRAAPPurpose

Is the content primarily opinion?

Is the information balanced or biased?

What is the purpose of the information? Is it to inform, teach, sell, entertain or persuade

Which words?Take a look at these

pictures. What do you see?Go here and fill in a word

to describe each picture

A

D C

B

Keywords are critical!Sample topic:

How have processed foods negatively altered the health of Americans?

First, break the question down into key concepts:Concept #1: processed foods Concept #2: health Concept #3: Americans

More on keywords…Expand your list to include synonyms

then add to it once you have done some background reading.

How have processed foods negatively altered the health of Americans?

processed foods health Americans

convenience foodjunk foodfood preservation

fitnessBMIenergy

United StatesNorth Americachildren

Putting it all together…How have processed foods negatively

altered the health of Americans?

Processed food OR junk foodAND

Health OR obesity OR “body mass index”

ANDUnited States OR USA OR North America

processed foods health Americans convenience foodjunk foodfood preservation

fitnessBMIobesity

United StatesNorth Americachildren

Create keywords Complete Part 1 of your worksheet

Write your research topic on your worksheetPass it to a group memberGroup member fills in key concepts and

synonymsGive the worksheet back to the original owner

Use these websites to help you create keywords/synonyms

Potential TopicsPositive/negative effects of fish farmingEnvironmental problems/solutions with the

meat industryUS government support for farming,

pros/consFood deserts in urban populationsSustainability of a vegan diet

Improve Google

Advanced Google searching

Duck Duck Go

Try these alternativesEnvironmental Protectio

n Agency

Check out the TSEM Research Guide

Find a website resource!Use your keywords in GoogleUse your keywords in one of the Google

alternativesPick the most interesting result

Enter your results here:https://padlet.com/lputnam/tsemsp17c1Enter your name, search string, and a link to

the website

Take a look at the resultsAssess the results posted with the CRAAP

assessment

What problems did you have ….Coming up with keywords?Searching for a website?

Thanks for listening!Fill out Part 2 of your paper worksheet

Fill out 3 TIL statements about your library session today

Hand the worksheet in to the librarian

Next library session:Pre-class reading and prepare for discussionUse your keywords to find books/articles

Questions?Feel free to contact me:

Laksamee Putnamlputnam@towson.edu410.704.3746.Twitter: @CookLibraryofTU

Or any reference librarian:Visit Cook Library Reference Desk410.704.2462.IM – tucookchat