Where Are You Getting Your Research

Information From?

Mary GossonLibrary Media SpecialistNorth Syracuse Junior Highmgosson@nscsd.org

Teachers and Librarians in the North Syracuse Central School District see the quality of student research papers declining. The problem, they think, is in the source of the information students are finding.

The Steps of the PPA

• Step 1: Define the Problem• Step 2: Gather the Evidence• Step 3: Identify the Causes• Step 4: Examine an Existing Policy• Step 5: Develop Policy Solutions• Step 6: Select the Best Solution

(Effectiveness vs. Feasibility)

Why does it matter? Isn’t all information the same?

• Where do you go for information for research papers?

Books

Online Databases for Journal/Magazines

Google

Before the internet, students main source of information for research came from books and magazines or journals.

With the advent of the internet, journals transitioned to online databases.

Let’s Compare Books, Online Databases and Google• Books• Publisher determines

whether content is print worthy = authority

• Google• Anyone can put up a web

page = no authority

• Online Database for Journal Searches– Publisher determines

whether content is print worthy = authority

Problems with Google Searching

• Isn’t always clear who authored the site• Many websites are not updated• What’s the bias?• Is it factual or someone’s opinion?• Is it just a hoax?

Decide for Yourselves

Examine one of these websites. Is it a reliable source for information? Why not?

•Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus•Holocaust•Shakespeare