Research Skills Information
Criteria for reliable Resources:
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Check out the following criteria so see if the resources you are using are reliable. These will work for all resources. For the Web Evaluation form, click here. |
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Criteria |
Explanation |
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Authority |
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þ Is there an author or sponsoring organization?
þ What are the author’s qualifications or reputation?
þ Is the contact information included?
(Hint: You can verify an author through different search engines!) |
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Accuracy |
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þ Is the source reliable? (Can you trust the information?)
þ Is the information well documented?
þ Are there spelling and grammar errors? |
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Objectivity |
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þ What is the purpose of the site? (Is it to inform, persuade, sell, explain, promote or entertain?)
þ Who created this site and for whom?
þ Are different perspectives presented?
þ Check the page design. Is it free of advertising? (How will this website influence you?) |
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Currency |
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þ Are dates or revision dates clearly shown?
þ Are links present and working? |
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Coverage
Or
Content |
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þ What topics are included?
þ Does the content match your needs?
þ Do other sources provide better information? |
Sites to Help with Your Research:
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When Beginning Your Research,
May We Suggest… |
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Do you understand what plagiarism is? |
How to search the web effectively. |
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Evaluating the web |
Choose the Best Search for Your Information Needs |
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Having difficulty selecting a topic? |
Need help narrowing or broadening your topic? |
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An encyclopedia gives you an overview of your topic.
(User Name: duffpeel Password: duff7878) |
Check out the subject links
on our
Research Resources page |
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To Help You With The Writing of Your Paper,
May We Suggest… |
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Validate the website |
Irene Lee's help with your research paper. |
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Help with MLA citations |
Do you understand what plagiarism is? |
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Help with APA and MLA citations |
Help with APA and MLA citations |
Works Cited, Works Consulted, Reference List:
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Teachers require special documentation styles or formats in their students’ essays. The two documentation styles that are used most often are those of the Modern Language Association (MLA) or the American Psychological Association (APA). In general, the following chart shows the division of subject areas for the use of MLA or APA. |
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Modern Language Association (MLA) |
American Psychological Association (APA) |
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The Arts (Art, Drama, Music)
English
History
Languages |
Business
Design and Technology
Education
Geography |
Mathematics
Physical Education
Science
Social Sciences |
Link to sample MLA Documentation.
Link to sample APA Documentation.
Checklist for Evaluating Internet Sites:
To use the checklist for evaluating internet sites, click
here
M. Byrne, Rev'd June 2008