This document provides an overview of how to evaluate information sources for an American history research project. It discusses several elements to consider when evaluating a source, including authority, accuracy, objectivity, and currency. It then provides examples of how to apply these criteria when assessing websites and databases for a research project. Specific databases that could be useful for this type of research are also listed.

1. Evaluating Information American History Research Project March 31, 2010

2. Overview of Evaluation and Research Tools Process of Evaluation Web Examples Available Databases

3. Elements of Evaluation Authority Accuracy Objectivity Currency

4. Authority Who is providing the information? Author listed About Us or Contact Us Links URL tells additional information: .edu : educational (usually good sources) .gov : government (good statistical sites) .org : usually non-profits (wary of bias or agenda)

5. Authority based on Type Blogs Individual’s perspective : not fact based Online Magazines/Journals Detailed bibliography & specific evidence Online News Source Involves opinion vs. fact based information Television/Internet News Broadcast Need to know 5Ws to prove credible

6. “ Ida represents a "missing link" between early primates and humans.” Moskowitz, Clara. “Scientists : ‘Missing Link’ Fossil Not Worth Media Hype.” www.foxnews.com . Thursday, May 21, 2009 Full Text to Scientific Article : Complete Primate Skeleton from the Middle Eocene of Messel in Germany: Morphology and Paleobiology

7. Accuracy Is it true ? Factual Content is Clear Someone has verified information is correct ie: Peer-reviewed Journals Verify Author’s credentials Is the individual really who he/she says they are

8. People Search http:// toolsforsearch.wikispaces.com/People+Search

9. Objectivity What is the Purpose ? Content provided for educational or public service Includes links to additional resources Free of advertising Free of Bias

10. Example of [.org] Bias handguncontrol.org nra.org

11. Currency When was it published? Date of Information clearly posted Last Update was recent to insure accurate information Ie: Immigration Laws

12. Currency Example

13. Determining Website Validity View the following websites and determine: Authority Accuracy Objectivity Currency

14. DreamTechies

15. DreamTechies Authority Currency Objectivity Accuracy

16. DreamTechies

17. Institute for Historical Review

18. Institute for Historical Review

19. Institute for Historical Review

20. Databases 4 Research Databases: Worldbookonline (powerpackx ; conrad / parker) HW Wilson Readers Guide (payson; seymour) Wilson Select Plus (100108160 ; cxerk.few) Directory of Open Access Journals (FREE)

21. World Book Online

22. World Book Online

23. HW Wilson : Readers Abridged Full Text

24. HW Wilson : Readers Abridged Full Text

25. First Search : Article First & WilsonSelectPlus

26. First Search : Article First & WilsonSelectPlus

27. Primary Sources Large collections available online Same criteria for evaluation Emphasis on Origin LOC: American Memory UIUC: Historical Newspapers Online ILSOS: Illinois Digital Archive

28. Other Resources 4 Research Primary Sources ALA Primary Sources American History (library website) Other Sources: http://springfieldpathfinders.wikispaces.com/ Digital History Decades Shmoop.com /history

29. Internet Public Library

30. Internet Public Library

31. For library passwords and links: http://msbrokaw.wikispaces.com/ Good luck with your research. If you have any questions, please ask.

32. Resources Beck, Susan. The Good, The Bad & The Ugly: or, Why It’s a Good Idea to Evaluate Web Sources . 1997. http:// lib.nmsu.edu/instruction/eval.html NOW: Making Informed Decisions & Critical Thinking. www.pbs.org/now/classroom/lessonplan-07.html (March 28, 2010). Harris, Frances Jacobson. Evaluating Web Sites. 2009. http://www.uni.illinois.edu/library/computerlit/evaluatingsites.php Knowledge Quest. Journal of the American Association of School Librarians. Vol. 38, No. 3. Jan/Feb 2010.