The document is a presentation on how to research anything and detect credibility issues (CRAP). It discusses the steps of researching - searching with keywords, evaluating sources based on currency, reliability, authority and purpose, avoiding plagiarism by putting information in your own words and citing sources.
1. SEARCH, EVALUATE,CITE
How to Research Anything
. . . Plus CRAP Detection
Benton Library Media Center
Created by Melissa Corey
Saturday, October 9, 2010
3. RESEARCH IS SIMPLE . . . RIGHT?
SEARCH
EVALUATE
CITE
Images: “MacBook light shift” by goobimama via Flickr, CC-licensed
“Goed Zoekveld” by Bart van Biezen via Flickr, CC-licensed
“Closeup of an opened dictionary” by zehfernando via Flickr, CC-licensed
Saturday, October 9, 2010
4. RESEARCH IS SIMPLE . . . RIGHT?
nst orm
brai
SEARCH
EVALUATE
CITE
Images: “MacBook light shift” by goobimama via Flickr, CC-licensed
“Goed Zoekveld” by Bart van Biezen via Flickr, CC-licensed
“Closeup of an opened dictionary” by zehfernando via Flickr, CC-licensed
Saturday, October 9, 2010
5. RESEARCH IS SIMPLE . . . RIGHT?
nst orm
brai
SEARCH
EVALUATE
CITE
Images: “MacBook light shift” by goobimama via Flickr, CC-licensed
“Goed Zoekveld” by Bart van Biezen via Flickr, CC-licensed
“Closeup of an opened dictionary” by zehfernando via Flickr, CC-licensed
Saturday, October 9, 2010
6. RESEARCH IS SIMPLE . . . RIGHT?
nst orm
brai
SEARCH
keywords
EVALUATE
CITE
Images: “MacBook light shift” by goobimama via Flickr, CC-licensed
“Goed Zoekveld” by Bart van Biezen via Flickr, CC-licensed
“Closeup of an opened dictionary” by zehfernando via Flickr, CC-licensed
Saturday, October 9, 2010
7. RESEARCH IS SIMPLE . . . RIGHT?
nst orm
brai
SEARCH
keywords
EVALUATE
CITE
Images: “MacBook light shift” by goobimama via Flickr, CC-licensed
“Goed Zoekveld” by Bart van Biezen via Flickr, CC-licensed
“Closeup of an opened dictionary” by zehfernando via Flickr, CC-licensed
Saturday, October 9, 2010
8. RESEARCH IS SIMPLE . . . RIGHT?
nst orm
brai
SEARCH
keywords
start over
EVALUATE
CITE
Images: “MacBook light shift” by goobimama via Flickr, CC-licensed
“Goed Zoekveld” by Bart van Biezen via Flickr, CC-licensed
“Closeup of an opened dictionary” by zehfernando via Flickr, CC-licensed
Saturday, October 9, 2010
9. RESEARCH IS SIMPLE . . . RIGHT?
nst orm
brai
SEARCH
keywords
start over
EVALUATE
CITE
Images: “MacBook light shift” by goobimama via Flickr, CC-licensed
“Goed Zoekveld” by Bart van Biezen via Flickr, CC-licensed
“Closeup of an opened dictionary” by zehfernando via Flickr, CC-licensed
Saturday, October 9, 2010
10. RESEARCH IS SIMPLE . . . RIGHT?
nst orm
brai
SEARCH
keywords
start over
EVALUATE
avoid plagiarism
CITE
Images: “MacBook light shift” by goobimama via Flickr, CC-licensed
“Goed Zoekveld” by Bart van Biezen via Flickr, CC-licensed
“Closeup of an opened dictionary” by zehfernando via Flickr, CC-licensed
Saturday, October 9, 2010
11. RESEARCH IS SIMPLE . . . RIGHT?
nst orm
brai
SEARCH
keywords
start over
EVALUATE
avoid plagiarism
CITEflect
Images: “MacBook light shift” by goobimama via Flickr, CC-licensed
re
“Goed Zoekveld” by Bart van Biezen via Flickr, CC-licensed
“Closeup of an opened dictionary” by zehfernando via Flickr, CC-licensed
Saturday, October 9, 2010
12. BRAINSTORMING/KEYWORDS
http://www.wallwisher.com/wall/nashhistory
Saturday, October 9, 2010
13. SEARCH OPTIONS
bentonlibrary.org
POWERSEARCH
Search all of the library’s
databases . . . at once.
SWEETSEARCH
Like Google, but better. Pre-
screened, accurate links.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
14. EVALUATE THE C.R.A.P.
CURRENCY
RELIABILITY
AUTHORITY
PURPOSE
Images: “TP” by bathroomdiva via Flickr under a CC-license.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
15. CURRENCY
Is the information up-to-date?
Does the website
present new information?
Can you tell when the
information was published?
Images: “#1 New MacBook” by Mikael Miettinen via Flickr under a CC-license.
“2009-07-09 What Day Is It?” by RG of CS-taking a bit of a break via Flickr under a CC-license.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
16. RELIABILITY
Is the information verifiable elsewhere?
Is the information
backed by sources?
Is the information
relevant to your topic?
Images: “IT everywhere #31” by Paul the Wine Guy via Flickr under a CC-license.
“Smack in the middle” by ogimogi via Flickr under a CC-license.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
17. AUTHORITY
Is the website backed by experts?
Can you determine the
authors of the website?
Is there an organization
backing the website?
Image: “Man vs. Power” by theqspeaks via Flickr under a CC-license.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
18. PURPOSE
Is the website commerical
or non-commercial?
Is there a clear bias
for a single viewpoint?
Is the information presented
objectively (when needed)?
Image: “dot com” by Thomas Hawk via Flickr under a CC-license.
“Load or unload” by Pulpolux !!! via Flickr under a CC-license.
Saturday, October 9, 2010