Merced College Library

Goals for this presentation:

Students will be able to find information in various formats such as print and electronic for specific uses.

Students will be able to evaluate information for its content, source, quality and relevance in a variety of formats.

Getting Started with Research

Basic Library Resources

Books CDs and DVDs Magazines and journals Newspapers Vertical File materials

Evaluating information

Based on

RelevanceCurrency PurposeAuthority

Currency-

How current is the information? When was it published/posted? If it is a webpage, when was it revised? Are the links functional and up-to-date?

Relevancy

Is the source relevant to the topic? Could you find the same or better information

from another source? Who is the intended audience? Is the information organized and in-depth? Is the source scholarly or popular?

Author

Authority

Educational

background

Professional or Personal

experience

Judged by

Depends on Depends on

Purpose/Objectivity

Does the site seem biased? Is the main purpose advertising or

information? Is the purpose to inform, teach, entertain,

enlighten, sell, or persuade? Does the domain name give you a clue?

.com, .edu, .gov, .org, .net Is the source scholarly or popular in focus?

SCHOLARLY OR POPULAR?

Scholarly OrPopular?

Online Public Access Catalog Search Screen

Search by word or phrase, author, title, subject .

Write the number

down before you

go looking for it.

Please search the library catalog now for a book and complete the question on your quiz

Online Resources through MC4Me

Merced College MC4Me Log In Screen

Library services

Computers are available to checkout for two hours at a time on both floors. Printing is $.10 a page using our $1.00 print cards. Wireless is available.

Study rooms for groups up to 6 people can be checked out on each floor. No food or drink in study rooms. Room 201 for large groups can be reserved in advance by contacting Dr. Walsh at 384 6082.

Photocopies cost $.10 a page. We have copy machines on both floors.

Ask at the Information Desk if you need to use scissors, a ruler, etc.

If you need further help, ask a Librarian!

We have chat, text, phone and in person service when the library is open.

Now it is your turn! Please complete the quiz and return it before you leave this session.

Library hours Mon. – Thurs. 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Friday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Remember – Drinks with lids are ok,

Except in study rooms or by computers

No foodQUIET, PLEASE!