49 Chapter 31.1: Gathering Reliable Information contd.
49 Chapter 31.1: Gathering Reliable Information contd.
Part 6: Chapter 31
With the expansion of technology and media over the past few decades, a wealth of information is available to you in electronic format. Some types of resources, such as a television documentary, may only be available electronically. Other resources—for instance, many newspapers and magazines—may be available in both print and electronic form. The following are some of the electronic sources you might consult:
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Online databases
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CD-ROMs
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Web search engines
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Websites maintained by businesses, universities, nonprofit organizations, or government agencies
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Newspapers, magazines, and journals published on the web
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E-books
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Audio books
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Industry blogs
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Radio and television programs and other audio and video recordings
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Online discussion groups
The techniques you use to locate print resources can also help you find electronic resources efficiently. Libraries usually include CD-ROMs, audio books, and audio and video recordings among their holdings. You can locate these materials in the catalog using a keyword search.
CNM’s databases can be accessed online from anywhere, and the bulk of CNMs library research is accessible through the internet. Library databases are not as easy to search as Google; however, the information you receive through the databases is vetted, so you spend less time weeding through questionable sources. Your instructor will likely recommend that you use the library any time you need to use outside research. You can find popular articles on the databases, free of charge, and your student fees pay for your access to the libraries, so you might as well get your money’s worth.
The library’s databases are located on the library page:
On this page, you can search using OneSearch, the library’s database which searches many databases at once. Or you can click on “databases” below the research button, and pick specific databases to search. They are divided up thematically by topic and discipline. Practice searching them before you have an assignment. The process may seem cumbersome at first, but becoming literate in research is a college competency that will benefit you throughout your educational career.
Using Internet Search Engines Efficiently
When faced with the challenge of writing a research paper, some students rely on popular search engines as their first source of information. Typing a keyword or phrase into a search engine instantly pulls up links to dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of related websites—what could be easier? Unfortunately, despite its apparent convenience, this research strategy has the following drawbacks to consider:
Even though 872,000,000 hits is impressive, a general web search can provide a helpful overview of a topic and may pull up genuinely useful resources. To obtain the most out of a search engine, however, use strategies to make your search more efficient. Use multiple keywords and Boolean operators to limit your resul