Library Research FAQs
Common questions from students and researchers with answers from librarians. Special topics include an advanced research methods tutorial and some helpful educational sites that reinforce information literacy skills.
"The central work of life is interpretation." - Proverb
Q: What is information literacy and why do I need it?
A: Christine Barry looks into the role of information literacy skills (taught by librarians) into the instruction of research methods to graduate students and undergraduates. She has found that the following skills are of vital importance:
- Focusing skills
- Browsing skills
- Knowledge skills
- Searching skills
- Filtering skills
- Navigation skills
- Recording skills
- Interpreting skills
- E-dissemination skills
Q: What are critical skills and how might I put them to work when choosing written sources for my paper?
Try this little tutorial on the critical analysis process:
- Introduction
- Initial Appraisal:
- Content Analysis
Evaluating a source can begin even before you have it in hand. You can initially appraise a source by first examining the bibliographic citation.
A bibliographic citation is a written description of a book, journal article, essay, or some other published material.
Bibliographic citations characteristically have three main components:
- author,
- title, and
- publication information.
These components can help you determine the usefulness of this source for your paper. In the Kwantlen libraries here are some examples of bibliographies:
I. INITIAL APPRAISAL
A. Author
What are the author's credentials--educational background, past writings, or experience--in this area?
Is the book or article written on a topic in the author's area of expertise?
Who's Who in Canada (REF ) or the biographical information located in the publication itself can be used to determine the author's credentials.
Has your instructor mentioned this author?
Have you seen the author's name cited in other sources or bibliographies?
Respected authors are cited frequently by other scholars.
B. Year of Publication
When was the source published?
This date is often located on the face of the title page below the name of the publisher. If it is not there, look for the copyright date on the verso (or reverse or back) of the title page
Is the source current or out-of-date for your topic?
Topic areas of continuing and rapid development, such as business, information technology, psychology and the sciences demand more current information.
On the other hand, topics in history, literature or philosophy often require material that was written many years ago.
C. Edition
Is this a first edition or not?
Several reprintings or editions may indicate that the work has become a standard source in the area and is valuable and/or reliable.
D. Publisher
Look at the publisher. If the source has been published by a university press, it is likely to be scholarly.
E. Title of Journal
Is this a scholarly or a popular journal?
This distinction is important because it indicates different levels of authority and complexity. If you need help in determining the type of material, see our link to refereed journals.
II. CONTENT ANALYSIS
Having made an initial appraisal, you should now examine the body of the source.
- Read the Preface to determine the authors intentions for the book.
- Scan the Table of Contents and the Index to get a broad overview of the material it covers.
- Note whether bibliographies are included.
- Read only the chapters that specifically address your topic.
A. Intended Audience
What type of audience is the author writing to?
Is the publication aimed at a specialized or a general audience?
Is this source too elementary, too technical, too advanced, or just right for your needs?
B. Objective Reasoning
Is the information being represented fact, opinion, or propaganda?
It is not always easy to separate fact from opinion. Facts can usually be verified; opinions, though they may be based on factual information, evolve from the interpretation of facts.
Skilled writers can make you think their interpretations are facts.
Does the information appear to be valid and well-researched, or is it questionable and unsupported by evidence? Assumptions should be reasonable. Note errors or omissions.
Is the author's point of view objective and impartial? Is the language free of sensationalism and bias?
C. Coverage
Does the work update other sources, substantiate other materials you have read, or add new information? Does it extensively or marginally cover your topic?
You should explore enough sources to obtain a variety of viewpoints.
Is the material primary or secondary in nature? Primary sources are the raw material of the research process. Secondary sources are based on primary sources.
For example, a subject's own writings would be one example of primary sources available. (Karl Marx example) Another would be newspaper articles of the time. (Globe and Mail article from the 19th century)
Scholars use this primary material to help generate historical interpretations-which become secondary sources.
Choose both primary and secondary sources when you have the opportunity.
D. Writing Style
Is the publication organized logically?
Are the main points clearly presented?
Do you find the text easy to read, or is it confusing or uneven? Is the author repetitive?
E. Evaluative Reviews
Locate critical reviews of books in a reviewing source, such as Twentieth Century Literary Criticism (excerpts) or Humanities Index.
- Is the review positive?
- Is the book under review considered a valuable contribution to the field?
- Does the reviewer mention other books that might be better? Is the book controversial?
If so, locate these sources for more information on your topic. For more assistance with the research process, consult your instructor or a reference librarian.
Q: Why do I need to evaluate sites found on the WWW? If it's on the web it must be true, right?
A: No! Anyone can publish to the web. While some books are self-published, the majority have undergone editorial scrutiny before publication. Scholarly journals have their articles read or reviewed by experts in the field.
None of this happens with web sites! Critical thinking and evaluative skills are essential when using the web.
Educational Sites
Other academic library research sites
LIRT and LOEX links for professionals
- LIRT
- Michigan
