Internet Research Skills Emma Place IntuteTraining Manager University of Bristol

1. Internet Research SkillsEmma PlaceIntuteTraining ManagerUniversity of Bristol

2. “One of the major issues academics will face over the coming years is how to utilise, and teach students to utilise, the Internet in their research”. Dr David Dolowitz, University of Liverpool

3. This session • Defining Internet research skills • Imperatives for teaching them • Approaches and methods • Resources

4. Internet research skills How to find information online that is appropriate for undergraduate coursework or post graduate theses and dissertations “Internet information literacy”

5. Identify the key Internet resources for their course Avoid the pitfalls of using the Internet for research Search for information intelligently Helping students to …

6. Identify key resources • “learning the intellectual norms of the subject domain associated with the production of knowledge” (Town, S. 2003)

7. Intelligent searching • The Web delivers diverse materials: • Access to scholarly materials (books, journals, official publications, databases) • The open Web – vast, disorganized and potentially confusing array of information and resources

8. Pitfall: Degrading work by using inappropriate sources “Our students love the Net, which is OK. The problem is, they also trust it, which is not”. Block, M. (2004). “Gullible's Travels”

9. Pitfall: Being accused of plagiarism • Perils of the “copy and paste” culture • Perils of not attributing sources correctly Don’t let the Internet degrade academic work!

10. The imperatives for teaching Internet research skills?

11. Part of the UG curriculum • The QAA Subject Benchmark Statements for Higher Education state that students should develop these skills as part of their degree courses. • Finding Internet resources • Critical evaluation of information sources • Ability to retrieve, manage, and manipulate information by all means, including electronically example statements from:http://www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/benchmark/

12. Part of the PG curriculum The Research Councils now include them in the funding conditions for PG student awards. Eg: “It is expected that students will be given training in web-based research techniques (general web searching, and specific training in using web-based indices) as well as training in the procedures for the evaluation of research …” ESRC Postgraduate Training Guidelines (2005) http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/opportunities/postgraduate/pgtrainingpolicy/

13. Student over-confidence- especially the in the “Google Generation” • Students express high confidence in their information and Web searching abilities which do NOT translate into quality and critical evaluation in their research results. Buschmann, J. and Warner, DA. (2004)

14. Approaches and methods

15. Are these skills taught? Currently no standard approach. • Research methods modules • Library induction / information skills • Study skills • Subject teaching Markland, M. (2003) CERLIM Information Research

16. Within Research Methods Example of a course: • “Internet Research Methods” course • a first year compulsory research training course • a third year requirement for the dissertation David Dolowtiz at Liverpool University Example of a text book: • “How to do a research project” • Includes Internet research skills in “building your research idea / the literature search” Professor Colin Robson

17. Within Information Literacy • Collaboration between library staff and academic staff can be a useful model for delivering teaching in the area.

18. In course materials • Course handbooks • Reading Lists • VLEs

19. Teaching Resources

20. Intute resources … • Intute: subject sections • Virtual Training Suite • Internet Detective

21. References • Big Blue Connect - Final Report. 2003. MMU Library Electronic Services Development Team. Available from: http://www.library.mmu.ac.uk/bbconnect/finalreport.html • Block, M. 2002. ‘Gullible’s Travels’. Library Journal. Available from: http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA210719.html[Accessed Jan 2006]. • Buschman, J., Warner, D. A. 2005. ‘Researching and Shaping Information Literacy Initiatives in Relation to the Web: Some Framework Problems and Needs', The Journal of Academic Librarianship Volume 31, Issue 1 , Pages 12-18. • Dolowitz, D. 2004. ‘Research Training: The Web as a Research Tool’. C-SAP Overview. Available from: http://www.c-sap.bham.ac.uk/resources/project_reports/overviews/ShowOverview.asp?id=9 • Dolowitz, D. 2003. ‘The Internet as a Research Tool’. C-SAP Project. Available from: http://www.c-sap.bham.ac.uk/resources/project_reports/findings/ShowFinding.asp?id=96 • Herring, D., Herring, S. 2001. ‘Using the World Wide Web for Research: are Faculty Satisfied?' The Journal of Academic Librarianship, Vol. 27, Issue 3, pp 213-219 • Markland, M. 2003. ‘Embedding online information resources in Virtual Learning Environments: some implications for lecturers and librarians of the move towards delivering teaching in the online environment’. Information Research, Vol. 8 No. 4, July 2003 http://informationr.net/ir/8-4/paper158.html • Sherman, C., Price, G. 2001 ‘The Invisible Web: Uncovering Information Sources Search Engines Can’t See’. CyberAge Books (ISBN 0-910965-51-X) • Taylor, I. and Rafferty, J. 2003. ‘Integrating research and teaching in social work: building a strong partnership’. Social Work Education. Volume 22, Number 6 / December 2003. 589 - 602