This page contains an explanation of search skills, strategies, and tips that are helpful. It also has tools to help you evaluate the information you find online.
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The Research Project Calculator offers students a simple and comprehensive five-step model for navigating the research process. Students need to login to use this tool.
The Research ProcessQuick Links"Information alone can never replace education." Effective Searching - What to do before searching
"In the nonstop tsunami of global information, librarians provide us with floaties and teach us how to swim." |
Recognizing Credible Online SourcesYour argument is only as good as your information. If the support you provide is inaccurate or biased, then no amount of clarity, organization, depth, or style will make your argument compelling, at least to readers who recognize the holes in your information. Thus, once you have located relevant sources, you next need to evaluate them. In particular, you need to determine whether they contain factual material, interpretation, or a combination of the two. You also must assess each source's credibility. Finally, you should determine whether they are primary or secondary sources and try to draw from both types.
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"Nothing can do what a book can do. It lifts you out of your life to a whole new world. A book is like a dream you're borrowing from a friend." Web Site Evaluation Form |
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It is a myth that all the authoritative information students need for school, work and lifelong learning is available for free on the Internet. Authoritative information resources are mostly provided by commercial enterprises and there is a cost to obtain or use those resources. When you need reliable, authoritative resources for school assignments, business research or lifelong education, turn to the information literacy skill you have been taught to trust by your teachers and librarians.
While the free Internet can also be useful in the research process, you have to watch out for broken links, unverified information, questionable results from search engines and fees for full-text materials. Being information literate allow you to go beyond the Internet and provides you with access to subscription-only resources. The resources available in school libraries are verified by editors and scholars, are created by credible sources, and are acceptable for class assignments. |
You can help! Keeping the links on a website up-to-date is a very difficult thing for one person to do. So I would greatly appreciate it if you would let me know (by clicking here) if you find links that are no longer active. Plus, if you find any new cool educational sites, let me know about those too, Thanks.
~Mrs. S.
~Mrs. S.