1. How to Research– Finding RELIABLE Information

2. Getting Started  Where is the first place you go when you start researching a project?  Google, Wikipedia, YouTube  But how reliable are those sites?  How do you know the information you are reading comes from a reliable resource?

3. Warnings with Googling  Anyone’s website can come up  Whether it’s a 10 year old’s website or a Doctor’s  Wiki’s like Wikipedia can be changed by anyone  They are open source documents  Blogs and Youtube videos are often personal opinion and have a lot of bias in the content

4. Checking Reliability – The CRAAP Test  CURRENCY  When was the information published or last updated?  Have newer articles been published on your topic?  Are links or references to other sources up to date?  Is your topic in an area that changed rapidly, like technology or popular culture?  Bad Example Bad Example  Good Example Good Example

5. Checking Reliability – The CRAAP Test  RELEVANCE  Does the information answer your research question?  Does the information meet the stated requirements of the assignment?  Is the information too technical or too simplified for you to use?  Does the source add something new to your knowledge of the topic?  Bad Example Bad Example  Good Example Good Example

6. Checking Reliability – The CRAAP Test  AUTHORITY  What are the author’s credentials?  Is the author affiliated with an educational institution or prominent organization?  Can you find information about the author from reference sources or the Internet?  Do other books or authors cite the author?  Bad Example Bad Example  Good Example Good Example

7. Checking Reliability – The CRAAP Test  ACCURACY  Are there statements you know to be false?  Are there errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar?  Was the information reviewed by editors or subject experts before it was published?  What citations or references support the author’s claims?  What do other people have to say about the topic?  Bad Example Bad Example

8. Checking Reliability – The CRAAP Test  PURPOSE  Is the author’s purpose to sell, persuade, entertain, or inform?  Is there an obvious bias or prejudice?  Are alternative points of view presented?  Does the author omit important facts or data that might disprove the claim?  Does the author use strong or emotional language?  Bad Example Bad Example  Bad Example Bad Example

9. Still Want to Google?  FIND GOOD KEYWORDS!!!!!  Before you start googling, make sure you know what your search terms will be  Use articles, teacher lessons, or your prior knowledge to find keywords that will help narrow your search  Type 3-5 words for your Google searches rather than 1-2 or a near sentence

10. Still Want to Google?  Narrow your results using the sidebar (images, video, etc.) or advanced toggle  ex: English only, posted in last year, etc.  Use Quotation marks ex: “7 th Century” instead of 7 th Century  Try Synonyms ex: popular/common/favourite  Click on a site and evaluate it before taking any notes from it!

11. Use Reliable Websites  Use Reliable Search Engines  Check the GMS Library WebsiteLibrary Website  Consider Wikipedia for BASIC information and then use the links at the bottom for targeted jumpsWikipedia  Consider museums, video sources (YouTube), television channels (History.com), and ethical photo sources (Creativecommons.org)

12. Cite your Sources  Use Bibme.org or Easybib.com or Citation MachineBibme.orgEasybib.comCitation Machine  Easy to use online Bibliography creators  Simply pick your Bibliography style (APA, MLA, etc.)  Then pick your media type (book, website, etc.)  Then paste the website link/book/video into the Cite It bar  Then copy and paste the citation into a word document

13. CRAAP TEST:  Time to practice

14. Find Some Websites to Research Ancient Rome 1. Clothing, Shelter, Food and Agriculture 2. Culture, Religion, Hobbies and Pastimes 3. Health, Safety, and Known conflicts 4. Government, Law, and Education 5. Trade, Trade Routes and Transportation 6. Geographical Landmarks and Natural or Biological Disasters

15. Find Some Websites to Research Ancient Rome 1. Clothing, Shelter, Food and Agriculture 2. Culture, Religion, Hobbies and Pastimes 3. Health, Safety, and Known conflicts 4. Government, Law, and Education 5. Trade, Trade Routes and Transportation 6. Geographical Landmarks and Natural or Biological Disasters