Locating sources

Locating information

There are a variety of ways to locate information for your assignments.

Encyclopedias give specific information about a given topic. you can trust the information has been verified and is a trustworthy resource. You will find a link to Encyclopedia Britannica in the Riverina Regional Library website. Use your Gundagai Town Library card to log in.

Databases give a wide variety of information (often at a high level of expertise) on an array of topics. If possible, choose a database within the subject area you are researching e.g. Literary Reference Centre for English. You can access databases through the Riverina Regional Library or the State Library of New South Wales in most cases you will need a library card to access (which are free). Our library staff are able to teach you how to use these databases and help you find the information you need effectively.

General search engines are broad, though can be a good place to start to 'get your head around' a topic - search smart, use limiters such as Google's advanced search functions to limit searches to a particular time frame or country for website origin.

Using creative commons - multimedia resources can enhance your message. Creative Commons websiteprovides access to search engines where you can access these resources under a Creative Commons licence (freely available to use and won't infringe copyright).

People and Organisations - often a great source of information is members of the community or businesses involved in the subject area you are studying. Find out some great hints and tips from the Ergo Study skills page through the State Library of Victoria.

Evaluate sources

Follow the CRAAP test rules:

Currency Relevancy Authority Accuracy Purpose

Use a worksheet to rate your sources. This CRAAP test worksheet contains all the questions you need to ask about your information and helps you rate them to see how reliable they will be.

Currency - When was your source published? Has it been updated or revised? Is the information out-of-date for that topic? Is it functional (e.g links on websites).

Some subjects don't require all sources to be current (e.g. a history essay might require all historical resources), but for others it is important to have the most up-to-date information possible.

Most printed materials and journal articles will have a publication record including a date at the beginning of the book/article.

Some websites will have a date (and may also include information on current revisions). The Wayback Machine is a website you can use to test when a website was last updated.

Relevancy - Is this information appropriate for your topic? Who is the research aimed at? - look at the language and amount of text (too technical - only for experts, too easy - for primary school students), Does the information work with your other sources?

The relevancy of your sources will ensure that you stay 'on topic' and answer your essay or assignment question. It will also make sure that you and your audience (teachers, fellow students) understand your research. A good test of this concept is to compare searches for the same topic in Britannica. In Britannica, you are able to search for information at different levels. Below are two examples based on the same search for 'planets'. The Primary level example has less text, larger pictures and a colourful background. The High school example has more text in a much longer article, longer words and more jargon (technical language) and smaller pictures.

Authority - Ask who wrote the information? What are their credentials or reputation within the topic? Is the information from or sponsored by an organisation? Can you easily locate contact information for an author, publisher or sponsor (an organisation who may have financed the research)?

Authority refers to why you trust a source. It is good to be wary of information you cannot find an author for, this is particularly important in reference to digital information. By looking at who has written an article (whether it be a person or a company), and finding out their qualifications and level of expertise on the topic, you can have more confidence in the sources you choose to use. You may need to read the 'about the author' section in a book, do more research on the person who has written a newspaper article or find out exactly what a company does that has sponsored the research.

Accuracy - Where is the source from? Has it been reviewed or refereed (e.g. a scholarly journal)? Does the source contain evidence, and can this evidence be verified (through multiple sources, citations or personal knowledge)? Is the language and tone of the source unbiased? Does it contain any errors?

The evaluation of Accuracy turns to the content of the work itself. This includes the actual information contained within the source as well as its presentation. Print sources can be much easier to test for accuracy as the editing process of a book or journal contains checks to ensure the information printed is accurate. Online information is often produced much faster and, in some cases, without the checks and balances of print materials. Knowing where the source is from and being able to verify information through multiple sources can help in ensuring the accuracy of the sources you use, and as a result, your finished assignment.

Purpose - Why was the information produced? Is it affiliated with any organisation? Could this lead to bias?

Information is usually produced for four main reasons - to inform, entertain, persuade or sell. Knowing the intentions behind a piece of information can help you decide if it is appropriate for you to use. If an organisation has produced information it may be biased - designed to persuade you to thinking a particular way about an issue or product. Bias is not necessarily a negative thing, but it is important to be aware of it.