The Informants

Before you can investigate and evaluate information, you must know the informant… that is, the source of information.

Is it reliable? Is it shady? Is it hearsay?

CSIBOOT CAMPObjectives:

After completing this module, you will be able to:

Identify different types of information sources Judge the strengths and weaknesses of each type of information source

Clearance: Prerequisite

This self-paced series challenges you to critically evaluate information using a toolkit of investigative techniques.

It does NOT describe how to conduct a SEARCH!

Required prerequisite for this module: CSI Boot Camp: Getting Started

If you completed the noted prerequisite, continue within this series.

If you did NOT complete the noted prerequisite, kindly report to the CSI Boot Camp Home Page in Blackboard and click on the Getting Started folder for immediate debriefing.

“The original root of the word information is the Latin word informare, which means to fashion, shape, or create, to give form to. Information is an idea that has been given a form, such as the spoken or written word. It is a means of representing an image or thought so that it can be communicated from one mind to another.

Rather than worrying about all the information afloat in the world, we must ask ourselves ‘what matters to us?,’ ‘what do we want to know?’ It's having ideas and learning to deal with issues that are important, not accumulating lots and lots of data.”

~ Dr. Theodore Roszok, author of The Cult of Information (1986)

Clearance: password = inform

Click the fingerprint below to take the Pre-Quiz: The Informants. This brief quiz will gauge how well you know YOUR informants (information sources). The quiz will open in a separate window.

Simply enter your name and the password inform in the applicable fields; then click the Take Quiz button.

When finished, click the X to close the window tab. Then click the Microsoft taskbar button at the bottom of your monitor to resume the module.

Do You Really Know Your Informants?

Common Information Sources

These are the most common sources of information:

Books Encyclopedias Scholarly Journals

Newspapers / Magazines

Live Media Web Pages / Internet

Bear in mind there are other sources...such as dictionaries, multimedia (videos, podcasts, DVDs), government publications, almanacs, diaries/manuscripts, and dissertations, to name a few.

The Information Cycle As media coverage of a particular newsworthy event progresses through the information cycle timeline, information is published in various types of formats.

Lets take a look at this timeline in action.

Surveillance Video Have you ever asked yourself, Where does information originate? Click the CONTINUE button below to view an animation that illustrates how information is created, distributed, and internalized in the hours, days, weeks, months and years after a newsworthy event…the Columbine shooting incident.

Material courtesy of:PENN STATE University Libraries

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Think about the character of the most common sources of information…books, encyclopedias, scholarly journals, newspapers/magazines, live media, and web pages.

If you’re going to rely on information sources, all investigative Literacy Forensics Agents conduct a background check on their sources to become familiar with their modus operandi. What do you currently know about your informants?

Click each informant for background information on that source.

The Informants

Modus Operandi

• Provides general to specific

information on a topic.

• May include scientific or

widely accepted theories,

assumptions, or evidence;

typically factual in nature.

Place your mouse on the informant to uncover the information source, as well as its strengths and weaknesses.

Strengths&

Weaknesses

Strengths Weaknesses• Most have passed a non-expert editorial review.• Typically authoritative, comprehensive, analytical, and in-depth.• Topics segmented by Table of Contents and Index for easy retrieval. • Supporting/additional sources noted in bibliography.

• May have bias.• Limited shelf-life: hardcopy format is not easily / promptly updated. (Scientific and current topics become outdated quickly; literature and history do not.)• Typically, info found in popular books is not researched , but it provides ideas. (Authors’ credentials vary.)• Not published regularly.• Takes a long time to read.

• Provides general to specific information on a topic.

• May include scientific or widely accepted theories, assumptions, or evidence; typically factual in nature.

Book

(non-fiction)

Modus Operandi

• Provides general overview

(background) to in-depth

(specific) information on a

topic…or quick facts.

• Important terms are defined.

Types: General & Subject-specific

Strengths&

Weaknesses

Place your mouse on the informant to uncover the information source, as well as its strengths and weaknesses.

• Provides general overview (background) to in-depth (specific) information on a topic, or quick facts.• Important terms are defined.

Strengths Weaknesses• Typically authored by scholars and experts; considered established knowledge. • General overviews and summaries provide context.• Articles are factual, well organized, and reviewed by editor(s) for accuracy.• Typically include multiple perspectives on the topic.• Topic entries are outlined and/or easy to read and segmented by Index for easy retrieval. • Most note supporting/additional sources in bibliography.

• Limited shelf-life: hardcopy format is not easily / promptly updated. (Scientific and current topics become outdated quickly.)• Less detailed than books and scholarly journals.• Less current than scholarly journals.

EncyclopediaTypes: General & Subject-Specific

Modus Operandi

• Provides in-depth articles on

objective research conducted

by scholars, researchers and

professionals.

• Includes methodology and

supporting evidence: graphs,

charts, tables; statistics. Strengths&

Weaknesses

Place your mouse on the informant to uncover the information source, as well as its strengths and weaknesses.

• Provides in-depth articles on objective research conducted by scholars, researchers and professionals.

• Includes methodology and supporting evidence: graphs, charts, tables; statistics.

Strengths Weaknesses• Authored by scholars, professionals, and researchers.• Most articles have passed a peer review (critical evaluation by a team of industry experts).• Includes detailed analysis, related theories, and empirical research reports.• Considered to be highly credible and reliable.• Timely: more current than books and encyclopedias.• Typically includes background in Abstract Summary.• Few advertisements.• Supporting/additional sources noted in detailed bibliography with full citations.

• Articles contain industry- specific language that outsiders may find confusing.• Expensive; not readily available outside academia.• Research process is lengthy; results may become dated.

Scholarly Journal

Modus Operandi

• Provides brief articles related

to a(n) event, issue, or locale

written by journalists and

freelancers for general public

or specialized readership.

• Purpose is to inform, to

convince, to sell, to entertain. Strengths

&Weakness

es

Place your mouse on the informant to uncover the information source, as well as its strengths and weaknesses.

• Provides brief articles related to a(n) event, issue, or locale written by journalists and freelancers for general public or specialized readership.

• Purpose is to inform, to convince, to sell, or to entertain.

Strengths Weaknesses• Most have passed an editorial review.• Provide a chronology (timeline) of local and national events, facts, commentary, and pictorials.• Explain why event occurred.• Magazines begin to cover detailed analysis of events and the impact of an event on society.• Includes current events, political issues, business news, popular culture, local perspectives, and editorials.

• Typically, authors are not experts; range from journalists, essayists, scholars and industry experts.• May include author’s or editor’s personal viewpoint, opinions, bias.• No bibliography.• Frequent advertising.• Web and print versions may differ.• Archived issues may only be available on microfilm.

Newspaper /Magazine

Modus Operandi

• Provides current news and

breaking stories for general

public written by journalists.

• Information delivered live

via television, radio, and

streaming Internet. Strengths&

Weaknesses

Place your mouse on the informant to uncover the information source, as well as its strengths and weaknesses.

• Provides current news and breaking stories for general public written by journalists. • Information delivered live via television, radio, and streaming Internet.

Strengths Weaknesses• Explains the who, what, when, and where of an event. • Very timely.• Broadcasted and updated at frequent intervals.• Typically accompanied by video.• Provides live and recorded interviews.

• Frequent advertising and sponsorship.• Generally lacks details.• Occasionally is inaccurate. • Information may not always be archived OR may only be available digitally.

Live Media

Modus Operandi

• Provides a lot of general to

specific info on multiple topics.

• Best source for news,

opinions, politics, statistics,

government data, public

records, emerging topics. Strengths

&Weakness

es

Place your mouse on the informant to uncover the information source, as well as its strengths and weaknesses.

• Provides a lot of general to specific info on multiple topics.

• Best source for news, opinions, politics, statistics, government data, public records, and emerging topics.

Strengths Weaknesses• Information can be accessed easily and quickly.• Information is generally (but not always) current because it can be easily updated.• Provides access to an extensive library of networked information.

• Information is not always accurate and reliable since practically anyone can publish/post online. • Rarely reviewed (filtered) by editors or academic reviewers.• Many pages are created anonymously.• Digital information is not always archived; can abruptly disappear.• Advertisers and sponsors could present biased info.

Web Pages

Internet

Pssssttttt….Advisory…You should be aware of another informant out in the field called SPAM who spreads a lot of false and unreliable information. Stay calm and do not overreact if approached by this informant!

This informant often presents rumors, hoaxes, scams, urban legends, myths, and propaganda in a forwarded email as a(n):

• chain letter / funny story / joke• prayer novena• free give-away• missing child bulletin• bogus warning or advice• Internet scam

If you receive information from this informant, do NOT use it or pass it on to somebody until you verify its accuracy through one of the following websites: • snopes.com• urbanlegends.about.com• hoax-slayer.com• truthorfiction.com

Click the Tool button to download and print The Informants Job Aid. When finished, click the X to close the window tab. Then click the Microsoft taskbar button at

the bottom of your monitor to resume the module.

It’s time to test your investigative skills in the field. Suppose you needed to obtain information about a topic…any topic. Could you identify the best information source for that needed information?

Let’s go out in the field.

Field Assignment

Field Assignment #1

You’ve been assigned to investigate the ways higher education students use technology to stay connected. You want to explore in-depth research conducted on this topic.

Which informant would you consult first?

Click the applicable radio button below.

Book (non-fiction)

Encyclopedia

Web Page / Internet

Scholarly Journal

Live Media

Newspaper / Magazine

Field Assignment #1

Correct! Scholarly journals are the best source of information when you need reliable, well-grounded and in-depth research on a topic and/or to answer a research question.

Field Assignment #1

Incorrect. Scholarly journals are the best source of information when you need reliable, well-grounded and in-depth research on a topic and/or to answer a research question.

Field Assignment #2

Book (non-fiction)

Encyclopedia

Web Page / Internet

Scholarly Journal

Live Media

Newspaper / Magazine

You’ve been assigned to investigate how future students will learn through their mobile device(s). You want to explore current breaking news on this topic.

Which informant would you consult first?

Click the applicable radio button below.

Field Assignment #2

Correct! Live media, which includes Web Pages / the Internet, is your best information source when you need current news or breaking stories related to your topic.

Field Assignment #2

Incorrect. Live media, which includes Web Pages / the Internet, is your best information source when you need current news or breaking stories related to your topic.

Field Assignment #3

Book (non-fiction)

Encyclopedia

Web Page / Internet

Scholarly Journal

Live Media

Newspaper / Magazine

You’ve been assigned to investigate how online dating has spawned social networks. You know nothing about social networks and need a quick, general overview, and certain terms defined.

Which informant would you consult first?

Click the applicable radio button below.

Field Assignment #3

Correct! Encyclopedias are your best information source when you need a quick, general overview to in-depth (specific) information on a topic, terms defined, or quick facts, as well as a bibliography to reference additional or supporting sources.

Field Assignment #3

Incorrect. Encyclopedias are your best information source when you need a quick, general overview to in-depth (specific) information on a topic, terms defined, or quick facts, as well as a bibliography to reference additional or supporting sources.

Field Assignment #4

Book (non-fiction)

Encyclopedia

Web Page / Internet

Scholarly Journals

Live Media

Newspaper / Magazine

You’ve been assigned to investigate the history of the three largest jewel heists of the past century. You want to explore the strategy behind the thefts.

Which informant would you consult first?

Click the applicable radio button below.

Field Assignment #4

Correct! Books are your best information source when you need general to specific information on a topic that is typically factual and static in nature, such as a historical account.

Field Assignment #4

Incorrect. Books are your best information source when you need general to specific information on a topic that is typically factual and static in nature, such as a historical account.

Field Assignment #5

Book (non-fiction)

Encyclopedia

Web Page / Internet

Scholarly Journal

Live Media

Newspaper / Magazine

You’ve been assigned to investigate how technology has impacted the ways people prefer to communicate. You want to explore public opinion on this topic.

Which informant would you consult first?

Click the applicable radio button below.

Field Assignment #5

Correct! Newspapers and magazines are your best source of information when you need a cultural perspective, public opinion, or timeline related to a current event or topic.

Field Assignment #5

Incorrect! Newspapers and magazines are your best source of information when you need a cultural perspective, public opinion, or timeline related to a current event or topic.

Field Assignment #6

Book (non-fiction)

Encyclopedia

Web Page / Internet

Scholarly Journal

Live Media

Newspaper / Magazine

You’ve been assigned to investigate the salaries and benefits of public officials in your state. You want to explore public records and government data on this topic.

Which informant would you consult first?

Click the applicable radio button below.

Field Assignment #6

Correct! Web Pages and the Internet are your best information source when you need government data, as well as current news, opinions, political views, statistics, public records, and emerging topics information.

Field Assignment #6

Incorrect. Web Pages and the Internet are your best information source when you need government data, as well as current news, opinions, political views, statistics, public records, and emerging topics information.

SummaryInformation sources can be thought of as evidence. First think about what you want to know…learn…discover…explore. Then, seek out the best informant to work with you.

Best info source When you need…

Book (non-fiction)

…general to specific information on a topic that is typically factual and static in nature (e.g., history)

Encyclopedia (general and

subject-specific)

…overview (background) to in-depth (specific) information on a topic, terms defined, or quick facts, as well as a bibliography to reference additional or supporting sources

Scholarly Journal …reliable, well-grounded and researched data on a topic and/or to answer a research question

Newspaper / Magazine …a cultural perspective, public opinion, or timeline related to a current event or topic

Live Media …current news or breaking stories related to your topic

Web Page / Internet …current news, opinions, political views, statistics, government data, public records, and emerging topics info

Quiz Clearance: password = informants

This concludes the learning portion of this module. Click the informants below to take The Informants: Post-Quiz. The quiz will open in a separate window.

Simply enter your name and the password informants in the applicable field; then click the Take Quiz button.

When finished, click the X to close the window tab. Next, press the Esc key on your keyboard and click the X in the upper right corner of your monitor to exit the module.