choosing valid resources for research papers by miss depanfilis authority and currency primary and...
TRANSCRIPT
Choosing Valid Resources for Research Papers
By Miss DePanfilis
• Authority and Currency
• Primary and Secondary Sources
• Signs of Bias
Choosing Valid Resources for Research Papers
• Authority and Currency
• Primary and Secondary Sources
• Signs of Bias
Choosing Valid Resourcesfor Research PapersHow do you check the authority
in print?
• Examine the Authors Credentials
• Check the sponsoring institution
• Look at the bibliography
Choosing Valid Resourcesfor Research PapersHow do you check the authority
on internet articles?
• Study the home page
• Check domain tags
• Check for bias
Choosing Valid Resourcesfor Research PapersHow do you check the currency
in print?• Check the copyright date
Choosing Valid Resourcesfor Research PapersCurrency on Internet Articles
• Check the latest update
• Check date on articles
• Are the links working?
Choosing Valid Resources for Research Papers
• Authority and Currency
• Primary and Secondary Sources
• Signs of Bias
Choosing Valid Resourcesfor Research Papers
What is a Primary Source?
• An original document (Letters, diaries, legislative bills, laboratory studies, field research reports, eyewitness accounts)
• Feel free to quote often!
Choosing Valid Resourcesfor Research PapersWhat is a Secondary Source?
• Commentary or interpretation of a primary source
• May be opinionated
Choosing Valid Resourcesfor Research PapersPrimary Source vs. Secondary
Source: Which is better?
Secondary Source
• Can be very helpful if you first read the primary source
Primary Source
• Not always more reliable
• First hand account
Choosing Valid Resources for Research Papers
• Authority and Currency
• Primary and Secondary Sources
• Signs of Bias
Choosing Valid Resourcesfor Research Papers
How do you avoid a biased resource in print?
• Check credibility
• Avoid most articles that include personal experiences
• Have the reference librarian consult the Book Review Digest
Choosing Valid Resourcesfor Research Papers
How do you avoid a biased resource on the internet?
• Check the sponsorship!
•Use educational, nonprofit, and governmental websites
•Be wary of commercial websites!
• Sell advertising space
• The often charge for access to their files
• Might be ISP sites where people can pay to post their own material
Choosing Valid Resourcesfor Research Papers
Questions to Ask When Checking for Signs of Bias
• Does the author or publisher have political leanings or religious views that could affect objectivity?
• Is the author or publisher affiliated with any special interest groups?
• How fairly does the author treat opposing views?
• Does the authors choice of words show signs of bias?
Choosing Valid Resources for Research Papers
• Authority and Currency
• Primary and Secondary Sources
• Signs of Bias