Page 86 - DLIS407_INFORMATION AND LITERATURE SURVEY IN SOCIAL SCIENCES
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Unit 11: Evaluation of Information Sources in Social Science
Notes
Did u Know? What are the primary sources of information?
Primary sources are original materials on which other research studies
are based.
11.1 Basics Guidelines for Evaluation of Information Sources
There are a number of sources for social science information such as: personal experiences, books,
articles, expert opinions, encyclopedias, the Web. The kind of information needed will depend on
the application. Individuals generate information on a daily basis as they go about their work. In
academic institutions, staff and students consult various sources of information. The choice of the
source to consult is usually determined by the type of information sought.
The tables below provide a framework for investigating the key aspects of an information source,
whether it is:
y an article in a journal, newspaper, or encyclopedia
y a book
y a web site
y a government document or
y any other source upon which you’re relying
Not all questions will apply in all situations, and not all responses need to be positive ones - this is not
a scorecard. The questions are intended to help you think critically about information sources.
To evaluate authority:
Ask the Questions Find Answers
Who is the author? y Can you identify an author for the work?
y Most common places to find authors’ names
listed:
Title page (book or report)
Title information at top of first page (ar-
ticles, book chapters)
End of the article (encyclopedias)
Top or bottom of page (web pages)
What are the author’s credentials? y Examine the item for information about the
y Relevant university degree author
y Institutional affiliation (where does he or y Look in biographical sources
she work?) y Look in directories, e.g.
y Relevant field or employment experience Who’s Who
y Past writings National Faculty Directory
y Search the web for the author’s home page
y Search article indexes and the online catalog
for other works by the author
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