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ENGL 1102 - Douberly - Spring 2024: Evaluating Information

LibGuide for Ms. Douberlky's sections of ENGL 1102

Can you guess which one is scholarly?

Which one(s) is/are scholarly?
Article 1: 14 votes (73.68%)
Article 2: 1 votes (5.26%)
Both: 2 votes (10.53%)
None of the above: 0 votes (0%)
Unsure: 2 votes (10.53%)
Total Votes: 19

Know Your Information

Please note: This image is not the product of Georgia Southern University. Courtesy of Oakland University Libraries 

What is a scholarly source?

Differentiating between scholarly & non-scholarly/popular information

Scholarly information can be described as information by and for scholars or academic audiences. Scholarly information is peer-reviewed, a process by which other scholars fact check the work to ensure accuracy. Popular or non-scholarly information, on the other hand, does is not peer-reviewed, nor is it written by an expert/scholar of the topic being discussed. 

Characteristics of non-scholarly/popular information: 

  • Contains images, often attention-grabbing images 
  • Littered with ads or advertisements 
  • Author is not an expert in the field being discussed 

Example Link: Popular 

Example Link: Scholarly 

How to Read a Scholarly Journal

Internet Sources

Is it EVER Ok to use Web Sources?   beginning with the HTTP scheme and the WWW domain name label.

Yes! You won't be abandoning Web sources completely, but you will need to know WHEN it is appropriate to use Web Sources. This will depend on a variety of factors, but mainly on the assignment perimeters and the type of information you are trying to find. It's important to know WHAT you are looking at when you search the web, because you are going to find a ton of information. Understanding the Information Cycle will help, and also knowing how to critically evaluate these sources will be vital. The CRAAP Test will become your best friend as you try to navigate the multitude of information on the internet! 

*Remember, if you ever have any doubts about a source, ASK your Professor BEFORE using it! 

Information Cycle

flow chart of information forms and cycle

Evaluating Sources: If I Apply Method

Questions to ask when evaluating a source?

  • Who is the author(s)? What do they/he/she do?
  • What is the purpose of the source? To educate, inform, or entertain? To cause fear?
  • How might the publisher's agenda be different from that of the source?
  • Does the year of publication matter? Does the source link to other resources? If so, are those sources news articles, raw data, government information?

 

Test your information literacy skills!

Click on the time frame that corresponds to your class time!