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Using the Library Effectively

Using the Library Effectively. For CRTW Critical Arguments. Why Use the Internet?. Fast searches Variety of viewpoints Quick retrieval Preliminary sorting of information. Why to Worry about Internet Sources.

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Using the Library Effectively

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  1. Using the Library Effectively For CRTW Critical Arguments

  2. Why Use the Internet? • Fast searches • Variety of viewpoints • Quick retrieval • Preliminary sorting of information

  3. Why to Worry about Internet Sources • Lack of editorial control or quality assurance—less respected by professionals in most fields • Lack of permanence (to some extent alleviated by htttp://www.archive.org) • Obvious and hidden biases • Internet as the “easy way out” • Unreliable evidence that looks reliable • Traps and frauds (see site 1 and site 2)

  4. Why Use the Library? • Focused, subject-related searching = efficient use of time • Retrieval • Reliability (access to peer-reviewed sources) • Credibility (fact-checking, peer-review)

  5. Drawbacks to Using the Library • Library may not hold the material; it may be necessary to order material on Interlibrary Loan • Time required for turnaround: it takes time to get books in print, articles in indexes, texts on the web, etc., so it may be a little “behind.” • Age of collection (especially with books)—is material timely and relevant?

  6. Effective CRTW 201 Search Strategy • Figure out what descriptors get you good information on your topic (see PH p. 309-311) • Anticipate and account for biases in the information you find (see PH p. 335 ff.) • Compensate by looking for material that represents multiple viewpoints on an issue • Key: Record the relevant information for retrieval and documentation (see form on PH 318-320).

  7. Practice topic: faith-based environmentalism • Look this up in a regular search engine like “Yahoo!” or MSN, with and without limiters • Look it up in a metasearch engine like www.dogpile.com or www.mamma.com • Look it up in Infotrac and Academic Search Premiere • Look it up in a specialized database

  8. Practice topic (continued) • Look it up in the Dacus online catalog using a subject search • Look it up in the Dacus online catalog using Words in Title • Look it up in InfoTrac using the words together as a keyword • Look it up in InfoTrac using the words as separate keywords • Look it up in a specialized database

  9. Results of Search on March 24

  10. Searching on the Internet yields many sites but the searcher has to be very aware of unreliability, bias, and impermanence Internet searching for CRTW 201 papers should only be used as a supplement to library searching Searching in the library may yield more reliable information but the searcher may need more time to retrieve the information—use it first for CRTW 201 papers! Determine which specialty databases are best for your topic; seek peer-reviewed info—ask teachers and pros! Understand how to supplement library information with Internet information So What Do We Conclude?

  11. Now try a topic of your choosing • Experiment with different databases • Practice saving results to your “Z” drive (if you need help mapping to that drive, click here) • Experiment with expanded search devices on Google, Altavista, and the library databases • Never rely on the “quick and dirty” way again!

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