Post on 06-Jan-2016
description
EFFECTIVE STUDY SKILLSReliable Academic Sources
AIM AND OBJECTIVES
Aim: To suggest ways to ensure reliability of sources for academic
research Objectives: Name at least two website address suffixes which suggest
reliability Explain at least four reliability checks students can perform
on sources of information Outline two practical steps students can employ to be an
effective academic researcher
RELIABILITY OF WEBSITES
Wikipedia Websites ending:
.edu
.gov
.ac.ukGenerally can be relied upon – academic research or government statistics.Why is academic research reliable? Peer review.
CREDIBILITY
ACCURACY
REASONABLENESS
SUPPORT
HOW TO ENSURE RELIABILITY
CREDIBILITY
Who is the author? Who is the publisher/ What is the reputation of the
publication? Who has the piece been written for? Are links to other websites/sources still active? What is the writing style?
HOW TO ENSURE RELIABILITY
ACCURACY
Is the source recent and up-to-date? Is the source precise and factual or does it make generalised
statements or assumptions? (As we all know……) Are opinions expressed and persuasive language used? Is there sufficient depth and breadth of discussion? Is sufficient evidence provided to support arguments?
HOW TO ENSURE RELIABILITY
REASONABLENESS
Are there inconsistencies/contradictions in the argument presented?
Is the source unbiased and objective? Is there evidence of balanced evaluation? Are conclusions logical given the discussion presented? Is there evidence of in-depth research?
HOW TO ENSURE RELIABILITY
SUPPORT
Can you corroborate the information contained in your sources used?
In certain contexts, you can use unreliable sources to expose injustices or unqualified/unproven statements.
HOW THE SCHOOL CAN HELP YOU….
BNDS already pays for a number of subscriptions to academic publications including:
National Geographic The Economist Foreign Affairs Chronical of Higher Education TES Magazine New Scientist Coming Soon…….. JSTOR
PRACTICAL STEPS
Your teachers have studied their subjects – use them! Take notice of recommended reading lists or information
sources To avoid plagiarism, don’t have printed/or online sources of
information with you when writing – just your notes Collect and record your sources as you go – any web page or
website used, copy the URL and date accessed contemporaneously
Use a reliability checklist Use the required style of academic referencing – next
session!
REFERENCES – COMPILED USING WWW.HARVARDGENERATOR.COM What is effective academic writing. Available:
https://egrs.jcu.edu.au/workshops/academic-writing-workshops/what-is-effective-academic-writing . Last accessed 29th Sep 2014.
Robert Harris. 2014. Virtual Salt. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.virtualsalt.com/. [Accessed 29 September 14].
Samira Saliba Phillips. 2007. Webpage credibility checklist. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.education.wisc.edu/docs/soe-documents/aics-lesson3-webpagecredibilitychecklist.pdf?sfvrsn=2. [Accessed 29 September 14].
Emma Place. 2009. Internet detective. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.vtstutorials.ac.uk/detective/crimescene.html. [Accessed 29 September 14].
Ted Talks. (2012). How to separate fact and fiction online. [Online Video]. 01 November. Available from: https://www.ted.com/talks/markham_nolan_how_to_separate_fact_and_fiction_online. [Accessed: 29 September 2014].