COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL
What about information from blogs?
Verify. A blog is an online journal or diary where people can express their opinion on just about anything. These days it seems like everyone, everywhere is blogging about everything and anything! Blogs are increasingly cited as information sources, but there are restrictions on their use: You must be able to verify (1) who wrote the blog, and (2) that the blogger is a credible source. Blogs that are part of, or connected to a news agency, magazine, university, professional association, online publication, or other credible site (like a sports expert who blogs for ESPN) are considered reliable, citable sources. As a general rule, self-published blogs (not connected to a credible site), are not considered reliable, citable sources. However, many experts and professionals are now quite active in the world of independent blogging, and since information literacy is an evolving and adapting field, a self-published blog, written by a credible professional blogger within their field or profession, and under their real name, may be considered a citable source . Wikipedia is the ultimate public forum. Anyone can add to or alter information on a page. That impacts its reliability as a source. In fact, Wikipedia has experienced several accuracy errors in recent years. As a result, it is not considered to be a citable source. Many high schools and most colleges follow a strict “Look-but-don’t- cite” Wikipedia policy. Wikipedia is a great way to jump-start research, check basic facts, or find sources, but it is a tertiary source at best. Do not cite Wikipedia in a paper. Over-reliance on Wikipedia will impede development of college-ready research skills. PRODUCT PREVIEW What about Wikipedia? Help! Where can students learn information literacy skills? Don’t be fooled by the unassuming demeanor of a school librarian. Librarians, also called “information technicians,” have mad research skills. Your best source for learning college-ready research and information literacy skills is a librarian. If you are not taught information literacy in school, make an effort to learn it on your own. Many public universities have research skills information and tutorials on their website. Check your local public library for classes. Information literacy is an essential college readiness skill.
Librarians have mad research skills!
THE 21st CENTURY STUDENT’S GUIDE TO STUDY SKILLS 245
Made with FlippingBook Digital Publishing Software