Post on 26-Dec-2015
Pro/Con Resources
Frederic MurrayFrederic MurrayAssistant Professor Assistant Professor MLIS, University of British ColumbiaMLIS, University of British ColumbiaBA, Political Science, University of IowaBA, Political Science, University of Iowa
Instructional Services LibrarianInstructional Services LibrarianAl Harris Library Al Harris Library frederic.murray@swosu.edu
Information Literacy • Search Strategies
– Keywords/Boolean AND/OR/NOT
• Organization of Information– Catalogs Al Harris/WorldCat/Ebrary– Databases i.e. Ebsco Products– Popular vs. Scholarly resources– Periodical Lists – Citation Searching
Information Literacy
• Critical Evaluation– Authority, Accuracy, Objectivity,
Currency– Google: Site Specific Search edu/gov
• Subject Specific Resources– Match Subject to Database
Different ways to look at:Pro vs. Con• Objective vs. Biased• Balanced vs. Unbalanced • Two-sided vs. One-sided• Indifferent vs. Persuasive• Good vs. Bad• Benefits vs. Drawbacks
Exercise: Argumentative Resources Worksheet
Topic: Oklahoma HB 1083 & SB 1101 Amends existing law to allow concealed handgun permit holders to carry concealed handguns on college or university property.
Question: Should this law be passed?
Where do I start?
– TOPICsearch -database– Pro/Con Resources - books
• Contemporary Issues• Opposing Viewpoints• Reference Shelf• Taking Sides
– Pro/Con Resources - databases• CQ Researcher
– Author
• Issues and Controversies– Keywords
Helpful Keywords to UseHelpful Keywords to Use
• Issue• Controvers
y • Statistic• Ethical• Rights• Debate• Attitude• Trend• Condition
Examples:• Rights and poverty• death penalty and Controversy
• household spending and Statistics
TOPICsearch
• An Ebsco product• Use Limiters to Narrow
Search
• Example: Environment– Current Events– Full Text– Topics– Document Type
Pro/Con ResourcesPro/Con Resources
• Book Series– Contemporary Issues– Opposing Viewpoints– Reference Shelf– Taking Sides
Pro/Con ResourcesPro/Con Resources
• CQ Researcher– contains information on current and
controversial issues concentric to the U.S. Government
• Issues and Controversies– provides up-to-date, objective
information on the most prominent and hotly debated issues of the day
Opinion or Fact?Opinion or Fact?
• Whales are mammals.• Whales are superior to dolphins.• Stephen King is talented.• Stephen King is a prolific writer.• Bottled water is cleaner than tap
water. • To meet American demand of
bottled water, requires 1.5 million barrels of oil annually.
Which sounds better?
• Oil over $100 is cause for concern.
• Harvard economists believe oil over $100 is cause for concern.
– A COLLECTIVE OPINION IS STRONGER THAN A SINGLE OPINION
Opinion ResourcesOpinion Resources
• Editorials on File– Ref 070.43 Ed48
• Gallup Poll – Ref 301.154 G13g– http://www.gallup.com– an organization studying human nature
and behavior for more than 70 years through public surveys
– collects attitudes and opinions of individuals and key groups within the American population concerning national and international issues and events
Online Surveys & ReportsOnline Surveys & Reports• Pew Research Center (Main Site)
– http://pewresearch.org• Pew Global Attitudes Project
– http://pewglobal.org• Pew Internet & American Life Project
– http://www.pewinternet.org• Pew Hispanic Center
– http://pewhispanic.org• Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life
– http://pewforum.org
Which sounds better?
• A lot of freshman drop out of SWOSU each academic year.
• 40% of freshman drop out of SWOSU each academic year.– NUMBERS CARRY WEIGHT,
PEOPLE ARE INFLUENCED BY STATISTICS
Statistical ResourcesStatistical Resources
– American Attitudes• 303.38 M6958a 2000
– Americans at Play• 790.068 W462a
– Education Statistics of the United States• 370.9021 Ed836
– Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics• 364.973 B9524 2003
– Statistical Handbook on the American Family• 301.421 St295 1999
– World Almanac• 317.3 W89
Statistical Resources
• Google Site Search:
i.e. Wind Power statistics Oklahoma site:gov
• Al Harris Library: Government Information– Provides statistical information directly
from the U.S. Government and the agencies who collect the data.
http://www.swosu.edu/library/infoservices/govdocs/gov.htm
Opinions vs. FactsOpinions vs. Facts• Pros (Strengths)
– A consensus of opinions are much stronger than a single opinion
– Reflects the culture and society that experience these issues and events (primary resource)
• Cons (Weaknesses)– Less concrete– A view formed by
someone’s belief which can be biased
– Not necessarily the truth
– Opinions can differ widely
• Pros (Strengths)– Very concrete– Based in
scientific/research methodology
– Data supports arguments
– Statistics helps determine the accuracy of information in the evaluation process
• Cons (Weaknesses)– Data can be
manipulated– Unless data collection is
a regular practice, data can become outdated and irrelevant
World Wide Web: Resources• CNN Special Reports• http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/• Includes facts, statistics, interviews of supporters and
opponents, and much more on key issues. The site maintains an archive going back to 1995.
• National Center for Policy Analysis• http://www.ncpa.org• NCPA is a non-profit, non-partisan public policy research
organization whose goal is to develop and promote private alternatives to government regulation and control, solving problems by relying on the strength of the competitive, entrepreneurial private sector.
• SpeakOut.com• http://speakout.com/index.html• Provides issues arranged by topic categories. The site is
devoted to promoting activism in a variety of areas.
Argumentative Argumentative InformationInformation• Use information to support your
position– Pro/Con Materials– Opinion Polls– Statistics
Finish the Worksheet:
• Identify three sources of information in support of your defense.– A.
– B.
– C.
Ready to Argue
Information Literacy
• Search Strategies– Keywords/Boolean AND/OR/NOT
• Organization of Information– Catalogs Al Harris/WorldCat– Databases i.e. Ebsco Products– Popular vs. Scholarly resources– Periodical Lists – Citation Searching
Information Literacy
• Critical Evaluation– Authority, Accuracy, Objectivity,
Currency– Google: Site Specific Search
edu/gov
• Subject Specific Resources– Target what you seek
Questions?
• Contact me:– Frederic Murray
• 774-7113• frederic.murray@swosu.edu
Thanks!