Magazines Sources .com



Syllabus Focus: Unit 1 Module 1 Content 9Specific Objective 9: identify characteristics of information sources;Content: Include availability, cost, currency of information, amount of detail (depth), breadth of coverage, reliability, format and medium.Selecting the Best Information SourceSee the below table to determine which sources are best for finding the type of information you need for your research project.To learn more about?when?these types of sources are published on an event or topic, see the?Information Cycle.SourceBest For?Intended Audience?Watch For/ConsiderNewspapersDaily local, national, and international news, events, and editorial coverageStatistics and photojournalismRecord of events and quotes from experts, officials, and witnessesGeneral audienceAuthors usually not expertsIf a story is breaking, corrections to initial report likelyEditorial bias of a publicationPopular Magazines?Current information?Short, easy to understand articles (including analysis, interviews, opinions, etc.)Photographs and illustrationsGeneral audience, or those with a specific, recreational interest (e.g. sports, fashion, science, etc.)?Authors usually not expertsSources not always citedEditorial bias of a publicationProfessional/Trade?MagazinesCurrent information?Specialized articles related to a particular discipline or profession (including context and analysis)Professional organizations or professionals/scholars with similar interestsArticles vary between short and easy to lengthy and highly specificSources not always citedHas characteristics in common with both popular magazines and scholarly journalsScholarly/AcademicJournalsRecent research on a topic?Focused, peer-reviewed articles written by expertsData, statistics, charts, and graphsBibliographies of other sourcesScholars, researchers, professionals, and university students in particular field?Terminology and/or data may be difficult for novices to understandBooksComprehensive overview of topicBackground and historical contextBibliographies of other sourcesVaries (general audience through scholars)?Dated informationBias (dependent on author, publisher, etc.)WebsitesNewsGovernment information?Company informationAlternate points of viewGeneral audienceCredibility and accuracy cannot always be assured?Bias (dependent on author, publisher, etc.)Sources not always citedTaken from: , on July 6, 2016Evaluating Information Sources:Evaluating BooksYou need to evaluate the information you are finding. It is an essential part of the research process! Consider these five criteria:Authority: Who wrote the book? What are the author’s credentials? Who is the publisher? If the publisher is an academic press, this generally means a scholarly resource.?o Tip: You can find this information on the title page of the book.Audience: Who is the book written for? A specialized audience? Or a more general one? Is the focus appropriate for your topic??o Tip: You can sometimes locate this information in the preface of the book.Accuracy: Does the information appear to be well-researched or is it unsupported? Is the book free of errors??o Tip: See if the author is footnoting information and providing a bibliography of sources consulted.Objectivity: Does the book appear biased or is the authors viewpoint impartial? Is the author trying to influence the opinion of the reader??o Tip: Is the author’s viewpoint very different than others in the field? In that case you will want to examine the data and supporting evidence closely.Currency: When was the book published? Is it current or out of date for your topic? In general, areas in the humanities don’t need up-to-the minute research while areas in the sciences do. Has the book been revised or is this a new edition??o Tip: This information is located on the back of the title page.Evaluating Journal ArticlesArticles in databases have already been published, and have gone through a review and editing process, unlike web sites. But it is still a good idea to evaluate them.Source - Look for articles from scholarly journals, written by experts in the subject. There will be references that can lead you to additional books and articles on the topic. In some databases, you can limit your search by type of article -- a research article, an editorial, a review, or a clinical trial.Length - The length of the article, noted in the citation, can be a good clue as to whether the article will be useful for research.Authority- Use authoritative sources in your research. Use articles written by experts in the subject area, and who are affiliated with an academic institution.Date - research in many subjects requires the most current information available. Is the article sufficiently up-to-date for your purpose?Audience - For what type of reader is the author writing? If an article is written for other professionals, it will use terms and language special to the subject area.Usefulness - Is the article relevant to your research topic?Evaluating Web SitesAnything can be published on the Internet, so it is extremely important to critically evaluate Web sites.Currency: The timeliness of the information.When was the information published or posted?Has the information been revised or updated?Does your topic require current information, or will older sources work as well?Are the links functional?Relevance: The importance of the information for your needs.Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?Who is the intended audience?Is the information at an appropirate level (not too elementary or advanced for your needs)?Have you loooked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use?Would you be comfortable citing this source in your research paper?Authority: The source of the information.Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations?Is the author qualified to write on the topic?Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address?Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source?examples: .com, .edu, .gov, .orgAccuracy: The reliability, truthfulness and correctness of the content.Where does the information come from?Is the information supported by evidence?Has the information been reviewed or refereed?Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?Does the language or tone seem unbiased and free of emotion?Are there spelling, grammar or typographical errors?Purpose: The reason the information existsWhat is the purpose of the information? Is it to informal, teach, sell, entertain or persuade?Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?Is the information fact, opinion or propaganda?Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional or personal biases?Taken from: , on July 7, 2016Sources of InformationMagazines Sources3810000145415Magazines publish articles on topics of popular interest and current events. Magazine articles are typically written by freelance writers or professional journalists and are targeted to the general public. They often contain photographs and advertisements.Like journals and newspapers, magazines are called "periodicals" because they are published at regular intervals throughout the year. You can find print magazines at newsstands and in libraries. Some are now available on the Web as electronic magazines.Use a Magazineto find information or opinions about popular cultureto find up-to-date information about current eventsto find general articles written for people who are not necessarily specialists in a topic area Examples of MagazinesU.S. News and World Report Working Woman Business Week Rolling Stone 493458525400Journals SourcesJournals are typically published by a professional association or a scholarly press. Journal articles are written by scholars in an academic or professional field. An editorial board reviews journal articles to decide whether they should be published. Journal articles may be based on a study (or relate to a study) and can cover very narrow fields of research. Since journals are published at periodic intervals, they are grouped in the category called "periodicals." They may be in print format or on the Web as electronic journals (or “e-journals”). An academic library purchases a good number of journal subscriptions in both print and online form.Use a Journal when doing scholarly research or when looking for a scholarly articleto find out what has been studied on your topic or field of research to find bibliographies that point to other relevant research Examples of Journals Journal of CommunicationThe Historian Journal of Business Research Education Evaluation and Policy Analysis 4114800353695Newspaper Sources?Newspapers provide articles about current events and news. There are newspapers published locally and nationally. Like journals and magazines, newspapers are "periodicals" because they are published regularly and a good percentage of newspapers are published on a daily basis.Newspapers can be found in print and in microform. (Microform is a miniature version of a publication converted into film or fiche that requires a special microform reader). Many newspapers also have their own Web sites with today’s news although they don’t necessarily provide free access to back issues. Newspapers are made available to you by subscriptions purchased by your library.Use a Newspaperto find current information about international, national and local newsto find editorials, commentaries, expert or popular opinions Examples Wall Street Journal New York Times Milwaukee Journal SentinelThe Capitol Times4800600134620Book Sources“A room without books is like a body without a soul. “-- Cicero (106-43 B.C.)Books can cover virtually any topic, fact or fiction. Books can be lengthy and give detailed information or they can be short and concise. They can cover one subject or many. They can give real-life examples or provide research findings. Books almost always have a table of contents, with or without an index, to help you locate information or specific chapters. When doing research, you will be looking for books that can provide in-depth coverage or an overview of a topic.Libraries organize and store their book collections on shelves called "stacks." E-books are available electronically on the Web. Libraries may have e-books in their collections relating to your topic as well as print books. Use a Bookto find in-depth information on a subjectto put your topic in context with other related issues to find historical information or “the classics”to find summaries of research to support an argument ExamplesNash, Gary B. ed. The American People: Creating a Nation and a Society, 1990. Coupey, Eloise. Marketing and the Internet, 2001. Smith, J. T. Roman Villas: A Study in Social Structure, 1997. Encyclopedia SourcesEncyclopedias are books that contain factual information about many different subjects. They are typically organized 3429000188595alphabetically by the name of the subject or topic. The amount of information provided in encyclopedias can vary from a few paragraphs to several pages. There are two types of encyclopedias -- general and subject-specific. General encyclopedias provide overviews on a variety of topics. Subject-specific encyclopedias contain many entries that all focus on one field of study. Typically, general encyclopedias are published as multiple-volume sets whereas subject-specific encyclopedia may be made up of one volume or multiple-volume sets.Use an Encyclopediawhen looking for background information on a subject or topicwhen trying to find key ideas, important dates or concepts to get a basic context behind a subject or topicExamplesEncyclopedia Britannica (general encyclopedia) Encyclopedia of Major Marketing Campaigns (subject encyclopedia) Database SourcesA database is an organized collection of information or data stored in electronic 3581400163195format and searchable online. There are typically two kinds of records in databases:Citations - include author, title, date and other information to describe the journal and newspaper articles. (Often citations will also include an abstract which briefly summarizes an article).Full-text articles - include both a citation and the full text of the journal or newspaper article. Databases are also known as periodical indexes. They may be general in nature meaning they cover all subject areas, or they may be subject-specific meaning they contain information covering a certain subject like education or history. When you enter search terms on your topic, the database will retrieve articles and citations pertaining to that topic. It may be necessary to refine your search in order to retrieve more specific information.Use a Databasewhen you want to find articles on your topic in magazines, journals or newspapers when you need to research a very current issue or topic Examples of DatabasesExpanded Academic ASAP from InfoTrac (a general database) AcademicSearch Full Text Elite from EbscoHost (a general database) PsycInfo (a psychology database) 4495800718185World Wide Web SourcesThe World Wide Web (or Web) is another type of information source. It allows you to access information, specifically Web sites, from the Internet. Software applications known as Web browsers allow you to locate and display Web sites or "pages". The two most popular Web browsers are Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer which can display both graphics and text. One of the main features of the Web is the ability to link quickly to other related information.As an information source, the Web is best known for providing very current information on any imaginable topic. Authors of Web sites vary greatly from subject experts to 10-year old school children.Use the Webto find very current information on different topicsto link to information provided by the library over the Internet to find information about companies to find information from all levels of government - federal to local to find both expert and popular opinions Examples of Web Addresseslcweb. (The Library of Congress) (Google, a search engine)alverno.edu (Alverno College) The InternetThe Internet provides a vast amount of information with a diverse range of complexity and reliability. A web site can be created by a child, a government department, or a person or organisation with a stated or unstated agenda or bias. The Internet provides a wide range of high quality information that is widely and freely available. Information provided by government departments and reputable organisations and institutions can be highly valuable. Information on the Internet may be current to the second - but this is not always the case. Information from the Internet should always be evaluated according to criteria particularly applicable to that source.Online Library Catalog Sources-1143000-8031480An online library catalog is an electronic resource that provides a record for each item that a library owns (or each item found in a library's collection). Within each catalog record you can find out where an item is located within the library as well as if it is available or checked out. Online catalogs include records for books, journals, magazines, newspapers, videos, sound recordings, maps and more. There are also links within some catalog records that allow you to access the contents of certain e-journals and other electronic library items. TOPCAT is the name of the Alverno Library's online catalog. REMEMBER, you won't find journal or newspaper articles in an online catalog. For that you need to start in an online database. Use an online library catalogto find out what books and other materials (videos, periodicals, etc.) the library owns on a topic to find where a specific item is located within the library Dictionary SourceProvide definitions of terms. Are particularly useful when dealing with terminology specific to a subject area (e.g.. A concise dictionary of business). Meanings are useful in understanding how a word is commonly used. Provide synonyms - useful in ensuring comprehensive keyword searches. The Library holds dictionaries in print and electronic form.ExpertsExperts in a field will often use the Internet to discuss and debate issues. Experts are also available for consultation at the University, in industry, business and special interest groups. Online and offline, self professed "experts" are readily available and willing to provide information and advise on almost any topic imaginable. While much valuable information may be available, it is extremely important to know what credentials a person has to deem themselves an expert and what institutional or organisational affiliations they have. You should be able to find support for their ideas by other reputable people or organizations with knowledge of the topic. When consulting a subject expert always make sure you have done comprehensive research on the subject first - this allows you to ask valuable questions and make the most of the time you have with them. How do I select a source?Now that you know a range of information sources available to you, how do you select the best one for your research needs?If you need:You might try:Background information, such as the history of the railroads or statistics on the number of children immunized against diseases in the United States Books Popular articles about new movies or social trendsMagazines or the WebCurrent information about a speech yesterday by the head of Ford Motor CompanyNewspapers or the WebScholarly articles about the Chinese economy or the human genome JournalsTo retrieve the titles and call numbers for a variety of different resources on the Underground RailroadOnline Library CatalogEvaluation Criteria of Information SourceWhen you have any item of information you should critically evaluate it to determine it's suitability to your needs, and the value of the information. This applies no matter what format it might be in, including a story told by your Mother, found on the Internet, or an article in a major journal. There is no one test which you may use to judge your information's value, but there are a number of clues, or criteria, you should use to base a judgment. There are five basic criteria to consider. Authority Reliability Currency Completeness Relevancy Authority: Where did the information come from? Did it come from an authority in the field? Authority should be judged on both the author and the publisher of the material Author: Is the author's name available? What is the author's training, education, experience in the field? Are there other works by this author in this field? Books, articles? Does the author have a reputation in the field - good or bad? If your information source is a web site, this might be harder to figure out. Is there an author or contact person listed, and is there a contact e-mail address available. It could be at the top of the page with the title, or at the bottom of the page. Publisher: Is the Publisher well known in the field? How much do they publish? Is this a "vanity press" where anyone can have something published, for a fee? Is it a university press? Is the publisher a professional organization or association? Generally, you can assume that known publishing houses, university presses, and professional organizations will publish quality materials. Reliability: How reliable is this information source? Can you trust and believe it? Reliability is directly related to Authority, but is a separate criteria. Reliability in this context relates to the accuracy and treatment of the information. Accuracy: Is the information correct, as far as you can tell? Look at several information source and compare them. Does the author cite their sources? Does is have a complete bibliography? Were primary or secondary sources used? Does it appear to be well edited? Do you see poor grammar, nonstandard language or miss-spelled words? If your information source is a web site, what is the origin of the source? The domain, or last part of the web address can tell you something about it's origin. The most common are: .edu - an educational institution .gov - a government agency .com - a commercial entity .org - a not-for-profit organization Keep in mind that while .com sites might provide valid information, they are probably more interested in selling something. Reliability, cont.: How reliable is this information source? Can you trust and believe it? Objectivity or Bias Do you detect a bias on the part of the author in the writing? Do the facts support the viewpoint of the author? Is it written is from an objective viewpoint, or does it appeal to emotions or biases? Is the information presented facts, which can be documented, or opinions of the author? Bias is not necessarily a bad thing; we all have our own opinions and biases. But you should be aware of them, and take that into consideration when looking at an information source. Completeness:Is the information the most complete available? Is it comprehensive? Is the information complete, or is it a summary of other work? Is the subject covered completely? What level is the information? Is it advanced, technical, basic information? Who is the intended audience for the material? Is it popular or scholarly? If your information source is a web site, does it include links and are they annotated? Relevancy:After all is said and done, does the information source answer your questions? Does it "fill your information need?" While the other criteria are based on facts, things you can see or find out about your information source, this one is a total judgment call. You must know what information you need, what type of information source you need it to come from, and what you will be using that information for (a final term paper, a short composition, your personal knowledge or information, etc.). You must make the judgment as to the relevancy of your information source. Is the information source relevant to your information need? It is entirely possible, and highly likely that you will find an item which is very reliable, from a very authoritative source, very current, and very complete... but not relevant to your topic.Currency:How old is this information? Is there newer information available? When was the information published? Can you tell when it was published? If it is not dated, you should be cautious of the information source. Is that information up-to-date? Have new discoveries been made, or have events taken place since the information was published? Is your topic one which is changing quickly, such as medical research or technology, or one which is fairly stable and requires more background information such as history or literature? If your information source is a web site, the date of publication and/or last updated date are usually found at the bottom of the page. ?-453916-419932-391160188595 ................
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