How do we evaluate information resources?

1. STRATHMORE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

2. Evaluating and using information responsiblyStrathmore University Library

3. Learning objective Evaluate and use information responsibly

4. Specific objectives: Evaluate information from various sources. Use information effectively to accomplish a certain purpose. Understand the legal, economic, social, and ethical aspects of information.

5. Why evaluate? Information overload. Any one can create and publish. Scholarly vs non-scholarly resources.

6. Evaluating information – criteria R - relevance E - expertise of the author(s) V – viewpoint of the author/org I – intended audience E - evidence W – when it was published

7. Evaluation - cont’d Accuracy – fact vs opinion, bibliography, well researched info, logical & coherent presentation. Author – credentials listed, author’s career, publication record. Reviews – gives author’s background & knowledge of the subject.

8. Evaluation cont’d Validity – sense in ideas & thoughts, review by an expert, reference list. Publisher – well-known, university presses Currency/timeliness - up-to-date Bias – noticeable bias, personal bias Scope - coverage

9. Using information You've identified, located, and evaluated information created by other people.Now it's time to utilize that information.

10. Using information responsibly As a student who uses information and writes assignments, you should be aware of what constitutes academic integrity. Academic integrity is founded on the principles of respect for knowledge, truth, scholarship and acting with honesty. Lack of it amounts to academic dishonesty.

11. Academic dishonesty Academic fraud Plagiarism Research misconduct Violation of copyright law

12. Academic fraud Making a false representation to gain an unjust advantage. Falsification of data Dishonest conduct in relation to exams or other assessment items Reusing work you have previously submitted Contract cheating.

13. Plagiarism Is the act of presenting another person's work or ideas as your own. Plagiarism is a type of intellectual theft. It can take many forms, from deliberate cheating to accidentally copying from a source without acknowledgement.

14. Plagiarism- cont’d Collusion or working with others and presenting the resulting work as though it was completed independently.

15. Common forms of plagiarism Downloading an assignment from an online source. Buying, stealing or borrowing an assignment. Quoting from a source 'word for word', without using quotation marks. Copying, cutting and pasting text from an electronic source.

16. Forms of plagiarism Using the words of someone else. Lifting sentences or paragraphs from someone else. Relying too much on other people's material. Avoid repeated use of long quotations.

17. Avoiding plagiarism Keeping careful notes as you do your research. Rephrasing ideas into your own words as you take notes. Documenting your research by creating a complete bibliography.

18. Exceptions to plagiarism Local knowledge Shared experiences Common facts

19. Research misconduct Research misconduct includes: Fabrication, falsification, plagiarism or deception in proposing, carrying out or reporting the results of research, Failure to declare or manage a serious conflict of interest,

20. Research misconduct Avoidable failure to follow research proposals as approved by a research ethics committee. Willful concealment or facilitation of research misconduct by others.

21. Question What are some of the good practices you would apply for academic integrity?