What is Authoritative Information? Faculty Librarians, Health Sciences La Trobe University Library 2014

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What is Authoritative Information?

Let’s look at a definition of ‘authoritative’ “able to be trusted as being accurate or true; reliable...”[1]

The term credible is sometimes used in place of authoritative to refer to

reliable sources of information

An authority on a subject is a recognised expert

[1] Authoritative. (2010). In A. Stevenson (Ed.). Oxford dictionary of English. Retrieved from http://0-

www.oxfordreference.com.alpha2.latrobe.edu.au/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t140.e0049870

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What types of authoritative information should I be using for my university assignments?

University assignments require you to use authoritative information from recognised experts, which is created in

academic books

scholarly journal articles

reports from government departments and reputable organisations

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How do I choose the most appropriate books?

Start with enquiry guides provided by your subject

Search your university library www.latrobe.edu.au/library

Choose books which are published recently, as they will be based on up-to-date research

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Sources for definitions of key terms Searching for definitions is a good way to begin an assignment

A range of authoritative sources is available for definitions as follows:

• Dictionaries and encyclopedias available via the Library – online & print

• Glossaries from credible organisations or industry reports

• Books or journal articles on the topic available via the Library

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But what are scholarly journal articles? Most journal articles you need are available online via the Library databases and homepage www.latrobe.edu.au/library

They are: written by subject experts published in scholarly journals required to meet certain criteria

in order to be published, and some undergo extra checking by experts, so are ‘peer-reviewed’

They include: the latest research an abstract at the start references to other experts in a

reference list and within the text volume and issue number

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How do I find appropriate reports?

Authoritative information in reports will be generally found on the internet

Search the internet for information from particular types of organisations

Government departments: look for .gov in the url

Professional associations look for .asn in the url

Educational institutions: look for .edu in the url

Not-for-profit organisations set up to support a particular condition or issue: look for .org in the url

You can even specify the type of organisation you want when searching e.g. type in your keywords and type site:.gov.au at the end

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What about these? Are they appropriate sources to use for an assignment?*

Lecture notes: NO – you need to find the original source that the lecturer would have referred to when presenting the information in the lecture

Chat with your auntie who is a nurse: NO – you can use a chat with your auntie to get some ideas but you generally can’t use personal communication quotes for health sciences assignments

Blog: NO – not an acceptable source for health sciences assignments. They are generally opinion-based rather than research and evidence-based

Wikipedia: NO – entries in Wikipedia can be changed and updated by anyone

Online fact sheets (like Better Health Channel): NO – they are not appropriate references for a health sciences assignment. They generally provide consumer information

*This guidance may differ if the requirements of an assignment specified the use of any of these or other types of sources like newspaper articles

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Searching for Authoritative Information – Key points

Start with what’s recommended in the subject enquiry guide

After using what’s recommended, extend your search by:

using Library search tools

looking in reference lists of readings set by course

searching the internet in a credible way – evaluate internet information carefully before using it in assignments

checking sources against each other

Use a variety of types of resources (if not specified) – some books, book chapters, some journal articles, some credible internet sources - be guided by task requirements

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Information Literacy Health Sciences Modules http://latrobe.libguides.com/health_sci

Access: Library homepage > LibGuides > + Health Sciences > scroll to Information…

Search Smart! These modules provide guidance to search effectively appropriate

authoritative information for your assignments

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Library Help

Chat to Library Staff www.latrobe.edu.au/library/chat Library FAQ www.latrobe.edu.au/library/faq Contact Us

• Information / Research Desk at your campus & • Faculty Librarians, Health Sciences

www.latrobe.edu.au/library/contact-us