Module 1
Asking Good Questions
Module 2
Finding Information
Module 3
Selecting the Best
Module 4
Putting it Together
Module 5
Your Project
Module 6
Making the Grade

How do I select the best information?

When you're selecting resources for research or to solve a problem, selecting the best information is important. Now that you have learned about scholarly vs. popular resources, let's look into additional factors to examine in your resources. Then try your hand at evaluating the websites you have collected for your project.

Directions: Begin with #1 and work through #5 below. Then, click next.

#1

Can you tell fake news from real news? Play the game, Factitious, to test your skills on determining if a news story is fake or real! 
#2

Evaluate the sources you recorded on the Search Tracking Form (Module 2) with the C.R.A.P. Website Evaluation Checklist Word document or PDF.
#3

Library databases are tools to help you find exactly what you need. To use databases effectively, you need to know how to use the database search and save features. Library databases have similar types of search options. Here are a few searching tips for the INFOhio EBSCO databases:

  • Watch this tutorial on using the basic features in Explora: INFOhio Makes Research Easy with Explora.
  • Search Explora Grades 9-12 and experiment with the advanced search features to find specific information on the practice topic, Body Image, or search for a topic of your choice. Save your search in an EBSCO folder or in your Google Drive.
  • EBSCO folder:
    • Create a user account in EBSCO by clicking Sign In. For additional help, review the information in this guide.
    • Click the folder icon at the top of the page.
    • Add the search to your folder so you can find your search the next time you sign in to EBSCO.
    • There are many tools to support research in the EBSCO folder, including place to take notes.
  • Google Drive:
    • Click on INFOhio and G Suite and select View/Download. Read the document for more information about using Google Drive with INFOhio.
#4

There are many types of databases to assist in research. INFOhio has several specialized databases. A specialized database focuses on specific types of information.

  • One example is Academic Search Premier which has journals, videos, and peer-reviewed articles.
  • Check out the list of all INFOhio databases which includes many specialized databases.
  • Remember, when you search using ISearch, you search nearly all of these databases at once.
#5

The Internet is filled with information that can be challenging to find. To help find exactly what you need, you may need to choose a specialized search engine. There are specialized Internet search engines just like there are specialized databases.

Review the Specialized Search Engines guide from Southern Connecticut State University to determine which search engines would be best to use in your research.

For more information about R4S or to contact support visit http://support.infohio.org.

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   R4S was funded through an Institute of Museum and Library Services LSTA grant awarded by the State Library of Ohio. The content does not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the granting agencies.