Finding and Using Information Worksheet
Complete Parts 1 and 2 below.
In Part 1, you will find and evaluate two sources from at least two different databases in the University Library. EBSCOhost and ProQuest are the most popular databases in the University Library.
In Part 2, you will write a brief 150- to 200-word response describing your experience using the library databases. This is a required part of the assignment.
Part 1: Source Evaluation
Select one of the following topics for this assignment:
- Obesity
- Affordable Care Act
- Healthcare disparities
- Cyberbullying
- Online predators
- Information security
- Social media
- Renewable energy
- Financial literacy
- Technology in education
- Healthy life habits
- Career exploration
- Mindfulness in business or education
- Immigration
- Homeland security
- Global women’s rights
- Concussions and the NFL
Highlight or bold your topic selection in the list above, so your faculty member can easily see which topic you selected.
Locate 2 articles related to your selected topic from different databases, such as EBSCOhost and ProQuest, in the University Library. You may use the course-specific library resources found on the GEN/201 University Success page to locate your articles.
Complete the tables below for each article you have chosen. An example table is provided first. Make sure to refer to the How Do I Evaluate Sources information in the University Library as you evaluate each article.
Example
| Article Information and Questions | Responses |
| Chosen topic | Social Media |
| Title of the article | “Facebook as a Platform of Social Interactions for Meaningful Learning” |
| Author(s) of the article | Jumaat, Nurul Farhana; Ahmad, Noriesah; Abu Samah, Norazrena; Ashari, Zakiah Mohamad; Ali, Dayana Farzeeha;
Abdullah, Abdul Halim |
| Currency: When was the article published? Is the article current? | 2019 – The article was published within the past 5 years so the information can be considered current. |
| Relevance: Is the article relevant to your selected topic? Explain your response. | The article is relevant because it discusses issues related to the selected topic of social media. |
| Accuracy: Is the information in the article accurate? How do you know? | The information in the article can be considered accurate. First, the article is peer-reviewed which ensures that it has been verified by other experts on this topic. Also, there is cited evidence and research throughout the article. |
| Authority: Is the author/ publisher / or source of the information credible? How do you know? | The article was published in a reputable academic publication, The International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning. The authors of the article are all affiliated/employed at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and therefore could be considered credible. |
| Purpose: What is the purpose of the article? Is the information fact, opinion, or propaganda? How do you know? | The purpose of the article is to inform readers about social interactions that exist in Facebook and how it can be used to enhance learning. The authors were not biased because they are not providing an opinion-based piece. They rely on facts and research for their analysis. |
| After evaluating the source using the CRAAP method, do you think this is a good source to use in an academic research assignment? Why or why not? | This would be a good source to use in an academic research assignment because it is informative and fact-based. This article meets all 5 criteria in the CRAAP method for evaluating the credibility of research sources. |
First Source
| Article Information and Questions | Responses |
| Chosen topic | |
| Title of the article | |
| Author(s) of the article | |
| Currency: When was the article published? Is the article current? | |
| Relevance: Is the article relevant to your selected topic? Explain your response. | |
| Accuracy: Is the information in the article accurate? How do you know? | |
| Authority: Is the author/ publisher / or source of the information credible? How do you know? | |
| Purpose: What is the purpose of the article? Is the information fact, opinion, or propaganda? How do you know? | |
| After evaluating the source using the CRAAP method, do you think this is a good source to use in an academic research assignment? Why or why not? |
Second Source
| Article Information and Questions | Responses |
| Chosen topic | |
| Title of the article | |
| Author(s) of the article | |
| Currency: When was the article published? Is the article current? | |
| Relevance: Is the article relevant to your selected topic? Explain your response. | |
| Accuracy: Is the information in the article accurate? How do you know? | |
| Authority: Is the author/ publisher / or source of the information credible? How do you know? | |
| Purpose: What is the purpose of the article? Is the information fact, opinion, or propaganda? How do you know? | |
| After evaluating the source using the CRAAP method, do you think this is a good source to use in an academic research assignment? Why or why not? |
Part 2: University Library Experience
Write a 150- to 200-word response to the following:
- Briefly describe your experience using the library databases to research your chosen topic. Remember to include the names of the two databases you used. Discuss any challenges you encountered.
- What strategies will you use to find sources in the University Library going forward?
<Enter your response here.>
