Just Google It?Information is Everywhere: Or, Verbing Our Way Through LifeMaking Sense of It All Strategy is EssentialFinding Information: The Status QuoGooglingWikipediaWell, Maybe…YouTubeEffective Research = Making ChoicesWho Can Create Information?Using Google EffectivelySearching Google – Our TurnSmart Research Strategies – A Useful GuideSmart Research Strategies – How It HelpsGetting All We Can From Our SearchSumming UpQuestions?Just Google It? Effective Research Requires a StrategyInformation is Everywhere: Or, Verbing Our Way Through Life“I just googled it and found what you were looking for.”“Wiki it first, then come ask me if you have questions.”“YouTube that clip for me, okay?”Making Sense of It AllStrategy is EssentialA thoughtful strategy is an essential component of a successful search for informationWhy? Because without a strategy, we are left floundering in the sea of information.Finding Information: The Status QuoThe usual scenario begins with a research topicExamples?Your first mode of attack?GOOGLE!GooglingProsVarious databases (images, video, etc.)Lots of possibilitiesMuch of the work is (seemingly) done for you!ConsThe “wild goose chase” problemDifficult to sort through results quicklyDifficult to discern the reliability of the sourceWikipediaProsFamiliar, encyclopedia-like formatLinks to other sources of information availableConsVery few (if any) criteria for contributing entriesInformation often seems complete, thus most users are unlikely to feel further searching is necessaryWell, Maybe…YouTubeProsVariety of information availableProvides access to information that might be considered less mainstream, because of its accessibilityConsNO criteria for uploading video, so credibility needs to be consideredBecause of its “multinationality,” boundaries (social, cultural, racial, etc.) are often neglected or ignoredEffective Research = Making ChoicesThe first big thing to realize when usingthese various web tools is: all information is NOT created equal! You must choose the best sources!Who Can Create Information?friends entertainers journalists practitioners studentsminority voicesprofessorseye witnessesfriends republicansexperts democrats activistsmajority voicesanyone!Using Google Effectively Watch a movie: “Understanding Google Search Results” http://liblearn.osu.edu/movies/google_results.htmSearching Google – Our TurnCan you think of an example search topic?Smart Research Strategies – A Useful Guide*tutorial location: http://liblearn.osu.edu/tutor/les6/Smart Research Strategies – How It HelpsBreaks task into 3 stepsLists a variety of “finding aids”Lays out many options, so that you can design your search to fit your own needsGetting All We Can From Our SearchRemember:Using a variety of search tools leads to better results!Using the right tool for the task can get you to your goal more quickly!Summing UpSmart Research Strategies highlights many different tools available to us.Google (and Wikipedia, and YouTube) are good, but they are not