MHS Library: Research / Source Evaluation

For more information, click the image above to view a short video on how Boolean Operators work. 

When using Google for your research use Google Advanced Search or Google Scholar.

Or try these Google Search Tips to target or refine your topic.

** While the search tool is free to use, since Google Scholar pulls information from many other databases, it's possible that the information you find will require a login (or even payment) to access the full-text source.

DATABASES  

• Evaluated; credible information created by subject experts
• Advanced searching criteria available - results can be filtered for precision
• More efficient
• Content is stable and easily retrievable for future research

WEB

• No standards in place, anyone can publish, NOT evaluated for accuracy and reliability
• Search results not easily filtered, too many results; duplicates
• Wastes time sifting and evaluating numerous results
• No guarantees the same content will be available at a later date
• No removal of outdated or inaccurate content

Scholarly or Peer-Reviewed Journals

• Written for a subject specific academic audience by scholars with credentials listed
• Vetted by subject peers or experts
• Contain original research / data; footnotes and bibliography
• Not for profit
• Click HERE for a more complete explanation of the peer review process in the sciences from UC Berkeley

Popular Magazine or Newspapers

• Written for a general audience by journalists who may not have special subject expertise
• Do not have footnotes or sources listed
• Not peer-reviewed
• Opinion pieces and editorials can have bias
• For profit

Learn about the value of expertise and how to assess the authority of experts, based on credentials, reputation, and situational context.

• VIDEO 1: Understanding Expertise
• VIDEO 2: Assessing Expertise

Algorithmic Literacy

Explore the impact of unseen algorithms on the online content we see and the ramifications on privacy, discrimination, and political polarization.

• VIDEO 1: Algorithms and Echo Chambers
• VIDEO 2: Algorithmic Literacy Strategies

Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia, has made finding background information incredibly easy.  But if you are planning to use it as a key resource for your research proceed with caution:

• Wikipedia can be a good place to start your research but is generally not considered an acceptable source to cite.
• The collaborative and dynamic nature of Wikipedia presents a number of additional concerns regarding the quality and authority of the entries.
• See what Wikipedia has to say about this topic.