CSM Library Orientation

Finding Resources in Your Library and Online

College of San Mateo Library

Library ResourcesPrint books, magazines and journalsE-Books

Accessible from on or off campus Available 24/7

Databases and articlesAccessible from on or off campus Available 24/7

College ReservesGovernment Documents

Search Tips:Keyword searchingPhrase searching

Use quotes to return exact phrase

TruncationAd* returns ad, ads and advertising

Boolean LogicAND ORNOT

Search examples:Green vehiclesGlobal energy consumptionSustainable AND farmingGMO OR genetically modified foodsFactory farms NOT (United States OR US)bottled water and environment* impact

Academic vs. Popular JournalsAcademic

Author an expert in his field or topicAffiliated with educational or research

institutionPeer-reviewedContent usually based on research findingsWritten for an expert audienceArticles long in lengthIncludes a bibliography

Academic vs. Popular JournalsPopular

Written by journalist or studentNot peer-reviewed; quick publication processGeneral InterestWritten for a commercial audienceArticles shorter in lengthBibliography not likely

Content on the WebGoogle is great, but the library’s resources can be better. Before looking online, check the library’s databases, eBooks collection, and print materials (i.e. books and journals)

Why?Anyone can publish onlineIt’s a fast, free medium that lacks the

formal peer-review process of journal articles or books

How to evaluate information the web:SourceAuthorityContentObjectivityAccuracyCurrency

How to evaluate information on the web:Source

Domain type (i.e. .edu, .gov, .org, .fr)Affiliations Personal web site (~ or %)What is the purpose of the site and are they trying

to sell you something?

http://www.collegeofsanmateo.edu/http://www.collegeofsanmateo.edu/library/http://www.collegeofsanmateo.edu/Departments/

~jdoe

How to evaluate information the web:Authority

Organization or personal page?Author clearly stated on page?Credentials? Specialist in field?About us?Contact information?Is it clear what the organization is?

o If not, try http://whois.domaintools.com/

How to evaluate information the web:Content

Is the coverage complete?Is the website complete?Are there dead links or sections still under

construction?Links to the site or page?

Alexa.comCan it be cross checked with other sources?

Who is linking to this site?

How to evaluate information the web:Objectivity

Editorial or factual?Free from bias?Examination of all sides of issue?Does the site contain ads?

How to evaluate information the web:Accuracy

Grammatical or spelling errors?Clear indication of data source?Are there footnotes or links to back up their

statements?

How to evaluate information the web:Currency

Is there a date when the site was last updated?Is the site still active?

Web Search Tips:Search on several search engines

GoogleAskYahoo

Web or Subject DirectoriesLibrarians’ Internet Index - http://lii.org/Internet Public Library - http://ipl.org/Infomine - http://infomine.ucr.edu/

Try the Advanced Search option:

Also, try the “US Government” search option from the advanced search page, or limit search to .edu or .gov sites

A few more very important tips:Just because a site is in the top 10 search

results, it doesn’t mean that the information is valid, nor is it always going to be the best

Look past the first 10 resultsLook out for sponsored sites at the top of

search results

Annotated Bibliography Example

Global warming and environmental justice: The burden on vulnerable populations. (2008, July). Sierra Club. Retrieved March 6, 2009, from http://www.sierraclub.org/ ej/ downloads/ GW-EJ-2008.pdf

This content is valid for several reasons. It is clear who is behind the site. The Sierra Club is a well established environmental organization. The article cited contains footnotes that clearly traces where the information was obtained. The article also seems factual and objective. The information is current and relevant to my topic.

Annotated Bibliography Example

Simplified version adapted for this exercise:

Making better energy choices. (n.d.). Worldwatch Institute. Retrieved March 9,

2009, from http://www.worldwatch.org/node/808 This is a research institute focused on global issues such

as sustainability, population growth and climate change. This institute partners with many other environmental

high profile organizations. The contact and organization information is very clear,

and includes funding information. The site appears to have current and relevant information. The information is factual and objective

Citation ResourcesCollege of San Mateo Library

resources http://www.smccd.net/accounts/csmlibrary/citing.html NoodleBib

Citation Machine http://citationmachine.net/

Duke University Libraries Citation Guide http://library.duke.edu/research/citing/

Need more help finding information?Visit/Call/eMail a CSM LibrarianLibrarians available by appointment to help

with your research needs

Michele AlanizInstruction and Web Services Librarian

alanizm@smccd.edu650.574.6174

Csmref or csmmichelea (yahoo)

Photo Credits:http://www.flickr.com/photos/foreversouls/

1279069689/