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Research and the Internet
Use It, Don't Abuse It!
Hey, we all know that the internet makes finding information super easy. So why is it that your New York State History Day staff members (particularly Tobi) have such a hard time with bibliographies comprised entirely of internet research? Well, there are a couple of reasons.
- One of the purposes of National History Day is to get you into libraries, museums, and archives so you can actually get your hands on some history! Internet files can never replace the joy of, say, holding a letter written by Alexander Hamilton to Aaron Burr regarding their infamous duel. (However, I must say that the NYSHA Research Library has a fabulous online exhibit with photos of these letters). Nonetheless, learning how to use research libraries and archives is an important skill that you should master by time you're done with History Day. So start now; it's not that hard and I guarantee it is a lot of fun!
- History Day judges want to see that you used a wide array of source material. Maybe she shouldn't, but a judge at New York City History Day who sees that a student found all their Ellis Island research on "www.ellisislandrules.com" is going to wonder why he or she didn't make a trip there. (Not that ANY of our NYC students would ever do any such thing!) My point is this, and its pretty simple: That part of the evaluation form that says "shows wide research" can be roughly translated to: "Student got off his tushy and accessed source material from more places than just the internet." (This is all relative, my friends. If you don't happen to live near Ellis Island and you just don't have the funds for a trip to NYC, the judges won't hold it against you. But make sure you tell them about the research you did without the internet.) Nonetheless, I think you get my point. Whether it is true or not, adults equate all-internet bibliographies with a lack of motivation and (heaven forbid!) a little bit of laziness. Don't be that guy or gal! Get out of the house and investigate.
Choose Wisely, My Friends
Ok, another big beef for Tobi (er, I mean, the New York State History Day staff) is when Wikipedia entries show up on bibliographies. Before you start the "but, but, buts," let me just say this: If you take away the fact that anyone can post stuff on that site, you still have information that is incredibly basic. Wikipedia can be a great place to learn more about your topic, and it can provide leads for in-depth research, but it shouldn't be considered a top source. Therefore, it shouldn't be on your bibliography. Just say no, my friends.
The lively Wikipedia debate brings up another good point. How do you find reliable internet sources? I don't want to shock you all, but I once overheard a college student brag that she and her friends would purposely change dates and other key information on Wikipedia history entries just to mess with people, and to see how long it took to be fixed. Sometimes the wrong information was up there for weeks! Needless to say, I was horrified at hearing all this.
The moral of this story is: You can never be too careful about the information you find on the internet. Yeah, I know. You've heard this warning just as often as you've been told not to leave the house wearing dirty underwear. But it is still important. Instead of continuing to wax poetic about WHY you need to be careful, let me give you a few tips that will help you find good sources:
- Visit sites with a national or international reputation for quality information. You know that if you visit, say, the National Archives online at www.archives.gov, you are most likely going to get legitimate information. Other good sources include the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian Institution, state-run places like the New York State Museum, and even The History Channel.
- Do some fact checking. If you find some exciting information on a questionable site, do some fact checking by verifying it using one or more additional sources.
- Determine the source of the site. This one's easy. If you can't figure out who created the site, don't use it!
- Ask, "What is the motive of the web site sponsor?" Is the purpose of the site to inform, like the Library of Congress does? Does the sponsor use the site to advocate a point of view, like the National Rifle Association or the National Organization for Women do? Does the site exist primarily to sell something? Is it place for people to express their individual opinions, like bloggers do? Although you can find quality information on sites with all of these motives, you should primarily look for sites that try to inform without an agenda or a bias.
- Ask, "How scholarly is the website?" How can you tell? Use the following criteria:
A scholarly web site will:
- Refer to known experts on the topic/field and quote or paraphrase their work.
- Share alternate viewpoints.
- Encourage debate, discussion, and criticism.
- Feature quality primary and secondary resources.
An unscholarly web site may:
- Present only one way (the "right" way) of thinking.
- Use attacks and ridicule against opposing viewpoints.
- Contain very few references to primary or secondary scholarly sources.
- Present information and views out of their proper context.
- Find sites with the following characteristics:
- The site clearly states its purpose and/or motivation
- The person or persons responsible for the site content have been clearly identified.
- The site contains a link to the homepage or the person or organization who is responsible for it.
- The site's sponsors and/or advertisers are clearly listed.
- The site has other links that help users learn more about the information included at the site. (For example, references to reputable sources, like www.archives.gov .)
So, now you've got some tools that should make you a stronger researcher. If you have any questions about internet sources and History Day, contact us. |
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