Gathering and Evaluating Information
And your question is?
You may have to search and research, but once you learn some good sources and methods, you should have success. In addition to searching on the Internet, you also need to make best friends with the reference librarian(s) in your local or college library. Libraries these days subscribe to enormous research databases, and they are often more useful than Internet searches. Ask your librarian if you have access to EBSCOHost -- it has several databases within it, including a huge one for academic research.
For Internet searching:
http://hanlib.sou.edu/searchtools/
At this webpage, you can go immediately to the search sites (first three columns across the top) -- or even better you can scroll down until you see the section called HOW TO SEARCH THE INTERNET. Those are the links to start with. You'll not only learn how to come up with good search terms, but also how to evaluate the webpages you get as results. Some will be good and others will be garbage. You need to know how to tell the difference.
My favorite way to search is to go to Google's advanced search page http://www.google.com/advanced_search?hl=en and put my search words or phrases into the first or second search box (either "all the words" or "exact phrase"). Another is to start out at http://scholar.google.com. However, there many other strategies for searching you can use, and the HOW TO SEARCH THE INTERNET section will help you best.
Learning to use Google or other search engines can save you time and help you learn to find information efficiently. Here are some websites that can teach you how:
http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/FindInfo.html
http://hanlib.sou.edu/searchtools/searchtips.html
http://www.pandia.com/goalgetter/index.html
http://websearch.about.com/mbody.htm?once=true&COB=home&PM=112_100_T
... and one to help you judge whether a particular website's information is worth your time:
http://hanlib.sou.edu/searchtools/evaluate.html
thank you
Gathering and evaluating information is a critical skill in many aspects of life, such as decision making, problem-solving, and understanding the world around us. Whether you are conducting research, making a purchase, or seeking answers to everyday questions, the ability to gather and evaluate information effectively can help you make informed choices and decisions.
Here are some steps you can follow to gather and evaluate information:
1. Clearly define your information needs: Start by identifying what specific information you are seeking. Be clear about your goals and objectives, and formulate specific questions that need to be answered.
2. Determine credible sources: Identify reliable, authoritative sources of information related to your question or topic. Consider using reputable websites, scholarly articles, books, experts, and other trusted sources. Be cautious about relying solely on information from social media platforms or non-credible sources.
3. Conduct thorough research: Use various methods and techniques to gather information. This can include reading books and articles, exploring online resources, conducting interviews or surveys, and consulting experts in the field. Take notes and organize the gathered information for easy reference.
4. Evaluate the quality of information: Assess the credibility, accuracy, relevance, and objectivity of the information you have collected. Consider the expertise and reputation of the sources, the date of publication, and whether the information is supported by evidence and research. Be aware of any potential biases or conflicting viewpoints.
5. Analyze and synthesize the information: Examine the collected information, identify patterns, and draw connections between the different sources. Look for any inconsistencies or gaps in the information. Consider different perspectives and critically analyze the data to draw reliable conclusions.
6. Make informed decisions: Based on your analysis of the gathered information, draw conclusions and make informed decisions. Consider the strengths and weaknesses of the information and how it aligns with your goals and objectives.
7. Update and refine your knowledge: Information is constantly evolving, so it is essential to continuously update and refine your knowledge base. Stay informed about new research, developments, and changes in the field to ensure that your information remains current and accurate.
Remember that gathering and evaluating information is an ongoing process, and it requires practice and critical thinking skills. As you become more proficient, you will develop a more discerning eye for quality information and be able to make more informed decisions in various situations.