Are You Smarter Than A Librarian?

1. Information you find on the internet is generally more reliable than what you find in books and articles.

True

False

You should always evaluate any information: web, books or articles. The reason the internet is considered less reliable than print sources in general is because anyone can put anything on the web. Editors and publishers have prescreened the material in books and journals before publishing it.

Explanation

You should always evaluate any information: web, books or articles. The reason the internet is considered less reliable than print sources in general is because anyone can put anything on the web. Editors and publishers have prescreened the material in books and journals before publishing it.

2. An author's qualifications, the date a webpage was revised, and active links to reputable outside sources should all be considered when evaluating a website.

True

False

Website evaluation is critical when doing research. These areas should be considered along with objectivity, the publisher or owner of the website, and the accuracy of the information presented.

Explanation

Website evaluation is critical when doing research. These areas should be considered along with objectivity, the publisher or owner of the website, and the accuracy of the information presented.

3. Full-text journal articles are in the library's databases.

True

False

Full-text journal articles can be found in the library's databases. This means that the library provides access to complete articles, rather than just abstracts or summaries.

Explanation

Full-text journal articles can be found in the library's databases. This means that the library provides access to complete articles, rather than just abstracts or summaries.

4. Scholarly articles are available in the library's databases.

True

False

The library's databases are your best source for scholarly articles.

Explanation

The library's databases are your best source for scholarly articles.

5. Online newspapers have the same content as the print versions.

True

False

Online and print newspaper content varies widely. Online stories often include sidebar links to additional content, such as videos, graphical data, or related stories. Archived online newspapers often omit stories that were included in the original print edition.

Explanation

Online and print newspaper content varies widely. Online stories often include sidebar links to additional content, such as videos, graphical data, or related stories. Archived online newspapers often omit stories that were included in the original print edition.

6. If I summarize the information from a particular source in my own words, it is not necessary for me to cite that source.

True

False

Summarizing or paraphrasing another's ideas or words should always be cited when writing a paper. No exceptions.

Explanation

Summarizing or paraphrasing another's ideas or words should always be cited when writing a paper. No exceptions.

7. Scholarly articles are available for free on the web (internet).

True

False

While this is true, this is one area where the old adage,"You get what you pay for" holds some truth. The library's subscription databases provide thousands of articles that are published in scholarly journals and that are not available for free on the internet. Never limit your article searches to only the "free" web.

Explanation

While this is true, this is one area where the old adage,"You get what you pay for" holds some truth. The library's subscription databases provide thousands of articles that are published in scholarly journals and that are not available for free on the internet. Never limit your article searches to only the "free" web.

8.
A subject search will retrieve more results than a keyword search.

True

False

A Keyword search looks for the terms anywhere in the record and provides the broadest range of results. A subject search looks for the terms in the subject field only. Using subject searching is one way to narrow a search.

Explanation

A Keyword search looks for the terms anywhere in the record and provides the broadest range of results. A subject search looks for the terms in the subject field only. Using subject searching is one way to narrow a search.

9. A web site with the domain extension ".com" is not an appropriate source for a research paper.

True

False

Domain extensions do not ensure accuracy, validity, lack of bias, timeliness, or appropriateness for a particular research topic. Critical evaluation is required for all sources considered for a research paper.

Explanation

Domain extensions do not ensure accuracy, validity, lack of bias, timeliness, or appropriateness for a particular research topic. Critical evaluation is required for all sources considered for a research paper.

10. It is a good practice to quote from an abstract--a statement summarizing the important points of a text--and use it in a reference list (a works cited page).

True

False

Best practice is to locate and quote from the original article rather than the abstract.

Explanation

Best practice is to locate and quote from the original article rather than the abstract.