Databases, Searching Strategies & Evaluating Sources

1. Databases, Searching Strategies & Evaluating Sources Norris 2013

2. Databases VS. Websites: What’s the Difference? • Library databases bring together magazine and newspaper articles, books, encyclopedias, scholarly journal articles and other reference works to one easily searchable location.  • Anything found in a database is considered a print source, because these documents were originally published in print. • As with any source, you need to evaluate the information for any inaccuracies or bias, but the chart on the next slide outlines some of the general differences between web sites and databases. Norris 2013

3. Databases VS. Websites: What’s the Difference? Norris 2013

4. Database Search Tips • Check your spelling Not all databases will fix your spelling for you.  If you don't get any results, check that you spelled everything correctly. • Use the correct print button If you decide to print hard copies of your sources, make sure you use the print button provided by the database so that everything is formatted properly.  The example to the right is from the US History in Context database. Don't print by clicking file > print. • Create the Works Cited page as you go Most databases will provide the article citation near the bottom of the page.  Copy and paste this citation into a Word document and keep a running list.  You can edit this page later to make sure everything is correct. Norris 2013

5. What Databases do we Subscribe to? GALE: http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/trop76262 Norris 2013

6. What Databases do we Subscribe to? Fact on File: http://online.infobaselearning.com/Direct.aspx?aid=15358&pid=WE00 Norris 2013

7. What Databases do we Subscribe to? WorldandISchool: http://www.worldandischool.com/landing/ Norris 2013

8. Web Searching: Sweet Search Sweet Search is a search engine with web sites that are hand-picked by experts to provide you with reliable results. However, as with any website, you need to make sure you evaluate the source and the information before using it. http://www.sweetsearch.com/ Norris 2013

9. Searching Strategies • When researching, it's easy to get stuck in a rut of typing the same words into search engines and databases over and over, hoping to find different results.  • Knowing how to effectively search databases and the internet will save you time and frustration.  • The following slides outline a few key strategies you can use to find the best possible search results in the least amount of time.  Norris 2013

10. Strategy #1: Vary Your Keywords Consider synonyms - Some topics can be described in multiple ways Norris 2013

11. Strategy #1: Vary Your Keywords Search for related or broader topics - Searching for related topics can help you find articles you might otherwise miss.  Broader topics can provide needed background information.   Norris 2013

12. Strategy #2: Use Suggested or Related Subjects Most databases tag each article with specific subject terms that describe it.  When you find a relevant article, look for these subject terms to link you to other similar articles.  The way the database describes your topic might be different from the terms you use. See an example below of what suggested or related subjects might look like in a database you are using. Norris 2013

13. Strategy #3: Phrase Searching When you type in keywords, the computer looks for all of those words anywhere in the document.  Sometimes this produces far too many results, and you need to narrow it down. By putting "quotation marks" around your search terms, the computer will only return results with those words right next to each other.  This helps to eliminate irrelevant results. Examples: "indoor soccer"  "global warming" Norris 2013

14. Strategy #4: Mine the Bibliography or Work Cited page When you find a great article, it probably cites some other great sources.  Use a combination of title, author, and magazine/newspaper title to locate the articles that look most relevant to your topic. You can also check to see if our databases have copies of these sources.   Norris 2013

15. Web Searching: Google Tips Think you know how to Google? http://www.nisdtx.org/Page/47307 Here are some of the basics: Norris 2013

16. Web Searching: Evaluating Websites You should always evaluate the sources you find, but this is especially important with websites that anyone can create. There are five main criteria for evaluating websites: • Accuracy. There are no factual or grammatical errors and the web page is well-organized with a list of references to other materials. • Authority. The page lists the author's credentials. Preferred domains are .edu, .gov, .org, but this does not equal automatic reliability. • Objectivity. The page is free from bias.  It is not trying to sell you something or promote only one point of view. • Currency. The page is current and updated regularly and the links (if any) are also up-to-date. • Coverage. The topic is covered fully. Watch out for sites with many banner ads or those that are poorly designed.  These are usually not reliable sources of information for academic research. Norris 2013

17. Evaluating Sources • Although databases contain articles from newspapers and magazines, search results can also include editorials, opinion pieces, or other sources that are full of bias or opinion.  It is important to critically evaluate ALL your sources to make your argument as strong as possible. Norris 2013

18. Evaluating Sources Good sources are: • Objective:  The information is presented in an unbiased manner, without sensational headlines or inflammatory language.  Also look at what person or organization is producing the information.  If they have a vested interest in the information being perceived in a certain way, it could be skewed.  For example, a ."org" website is a preferred domain, but doesn't automatically mean those organizations will remain unbiased. Norris 2013

19. Evaluating Sources Good sources are: • Accurate:  Articles from newspapers, magazines, and academic journals are fairly likely to have accurate information since they are edited and/or peer reviewed.  Since you are finding multiple sources for any research project, if the information from each is consistent, it is also more likely to be accurate. Norris 2013

20. Evaluating Sources Good sources are: • Current:  Depending on the topic, current articles are essential.  New discoveries in health, science, medicine, etc., could change your argument.  Using outdated sources could lead to faulty reasoning. Norris 2013

21. Evaluating Sources Good sources are: • Authoritative:  The person writing the article should be an expert on that subject or a professional journalist.  Look for the author's credentials or information about the publishing organization.  This should be easy to locate in database sources, but can sometimes be challenging on websites.  Norris 2013

22. Evaluation Guides This comprehensive guide from US Berkeley covers techniques to apply and questions to ask when evaluating a web site. http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Evaluate.html Norris 2013

23. Evaluation Guides This comprehensive guide from Johns Hopkins covers not only evaluating web site sources, but also distinguishing information from misinformation and evaluating social media. http://guides.library.jhu.edu/content.php?pid=198142&sid=1657518 Norris 2013

24. Work Cited Page Ballenger, Bruce. The Curious Researcher. 6th. New York City: Pearson, 2009. Print. Tallman, Julie, and Marilyn Joyce. The Making the Writing and Research Connection with the I-Search Process. 2nd . New York City: Neal- Schuman Publishers, INC, 2006. Print. Norris 2013