GG102: Evaluating and Citing Information Resources

Evaluating and Citing

Information Resources

Peter Genzinger
Geography Liaison Librarian
pgenzinger@wlu.ca
519-884-0710 ext. 3912
 GG102: Evaluating and Citing Information Resources

Session Goals:
1. Discuss how to properly evaluate information to
determine the best sources for assignments

2. Discuss the proper use of citations

3. Show you how use the library system to find

relevant information

4. Show you where to go when you need help

 GG102: Evaluating and Citing Information Resources

Evaluating
Information Sources
 GG102: Evaluating and Citing Information Resources

How can I know what credible, reliable

information resources are, both online and in
print?

• Author • Content
• Publisher • Accuracy
• Purpose • Timeliness
• Audience
(taken from Resources for Evaluating Internet (and other) Information)
 GG102: Evaluating and Citing Information Resources

Evaluating sources for credibility and reliability

1. Is the source published by a reputable press?
2. Was the book/article peer-reviewed?
3. Is the author a reputable scholar?
4. If the source is online, is it sponsored by a reputable
organization?
5. Is the source current?
6. If the source is a book, does it have citations and a bibliography?
7. If the source is a book, has it been well reviewed?
8. If source is a web site, does it include bibliographical data?
9. Has the source been cited frequently by others?
Source: Booth et. al., 2007
 GG102: Evaluating and Citing Information Resources

For further help in evaluating online

information, check out our pages:

– Finding Quality on the Internet

– Resources for Evaluating Internet (and

other) Information
 GG102: Evaluating and Citing Information Resources

What about the use of

citations?
 GG102: Evaluating and Citing Information Resources

When presenting research or writing

academic papers, we use citations in the
body of the paper.

What is a citation?

– A “pointer” to credit the source of information

you refer to in your paper.

– Citations point to sources (e.g. books or journal

articles) you use in your paper and refer to in a
Bibliography or List of References.
 GG102: Evaluating and Citing Information Resources

Why do we need to use citations/references?

– To show where you found your information
– To show the depth of your knowledge and
research
– To avoid plagiarism

When should I use citations?

– When you use direct quotes, paraphrases, or
summaries
– When you use specific facts
– When you use distinctive or authoritative ideas
 GG102: Evaluating and Citing Information Resources

How do I reference materials in my paper?

Use APA Style (American Psychological Association)
• Example:
One recent development in cooperative
environmental management is its “potential to
deal with complexity and uncertainty”(Plummer
and Armitage, p. 842).

References

Plummer, R. & Armitage, D. (2007). Crossing

Boundaries, Crossing Scales: The evolution
of environment and resource co-management.
Geography Compass. 1(4): 834-849.
 GG102: Evaluating and Citing Information Resources

Using Citations and Creating Bibliographies: Resources

• Publication manual of the American Psychological
Association. (link to the record for WLU library print
copy)
• Pocket guide to APA style. (links to print copy)
• APA Style page
• Understanding citations
• WLU Writing Centre online academic writing
resources
See especially the documentation for:
– Proper use of sources
– Documentation styles
 GG102: Evaluating and Citing Information Resources

Books to assist you with the research/writing process:

• Northey, Margot and David B. Knight. (2007).

Making Sense: A Student’s Guide to Research and
Writing : Geography and Environmental Sciences.
Don Mills: Oxford University Press. 3rd edition.
G74 .N67 2007 (WLU Reserves at Circulation Desk)

• Booth, Wayne C. et al. (2008). The Craft of Research.

Chicago: University of Chicago Press. 3rd edition.
Q180.55.M4 B66 2008 (WLU Reserves at Circulation Desk)
 GG102: Evaluating and Citing Information Resources

Peter Genzinger

Geography Liaison Librarian

pgenzinger@wlu.ca
519-884-0710 ext. 3912