1. BA FS
Session 2
Types of resources / information,
Evaluating information and
Referencing & citation
http:// unihub.mdx.ac.uk / study / library

2. In the previous session...
• What the Library provides
• Using the Library
Catalogue and finding
resources on your
reading lists
• What Library support is
available to you

3. Today we will look at...
• Plagiarism and referencing
& citation
• The different types of
resources and information
• The importance of
evaluating the resources
that you use

4. Library Subject Guides
myUniHub > My Study > My Library > Library Subject Guides
http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk

5. PLAGIARISM,
REFERENCING & CITATION

6. What is Plagiarism?
Copying, paraphrasing or presenting
somebody else’s words and / or ideas
without acknowledging the original source.
Whether intentionally or unintentionally!

7. Exercise 1 - Where do you draw the line?

8. Where do you draw the line?

9. What is Plagiarism?
• Using someone else’s exact words without
indicating that it is a quote (“...”) and without
referencing?
• Using other people’s ideas or theories or
“facts” or “knowledge” without referencing?
• Paraphrasing / summarising what you have
read without referencing / stating the source?

10. What is Plagiarism?
• Buying an essay from an essay-writing
service?
• Copying from someone’s essay?
• Writing an assignment in close collaboration
with a friend?
• Copying from a book / journal but changing
some of the words?

11. Referencing & Citation
• All academic research / writing needs to
consider the work and ideas of others
• Each time you use someone else’s ideas or
words, it is essential that you acknowledge
this in your work

12. Referencing & Citation
Correct referencing involves including both:
• In-text citations
Importantly, Endacott et al. (2008) argue that this new approach to
the delivery of critical care will aim to address Safar’s long-held
concerns from as far back as 1974 that critical care is no more than an
increasingly unnecessary and expensive form of terminal care in a lot
of cases (Safar, 1974). Similarly, Rosenberg et al. (2001) suggest that
mortality rates and lengths of stay are also enhanced through a more
effective and coordinated approach to the discharge and follow-up of
patients from the critical care unit.
(McGloin and McLeod, 2010)
• Reference list / bibliography

13. Library Subject Guide
myUniHub > My Study > My Library > Library Subject Guides
http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/

14. Business School Referencing Guide

15. Referencing exercise
Exercise 2:
• Working in groups,
use the Harvard
referencing guide
provided to create a
reference for this
book…
Source: https://encrypted-
tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTNOltX5rVbjE1VbHuGojhvsfa9YJ
XHkkpTxXDHINAaMbSwX2kv

16. Edited Book
Durrant, A., Rhodes, G. and Young, D.
(Eds.) (2009). Getting started with University-Level
Work Based Learning. London: Sage.

17. TYPES OR RESOURCES /
INFORMATION

18. Types of resources / information
Exercise 3:
• Each group will be given a pack of cards
• The cards contain the names of 5 different resources
• Match together the correct:
Resource Type + Definition + “Good for” + “Not so good
for”
Time: 10mins

19. Books
What are they:
A written or printed work of fiction
or fact.
May be electronic.
Good for:
Clear overview
Not so good for:
Up to date information

20. Web page
What are they:
An information resource which can be easily
created by anyone on any topic.
Electronic.
Good for:
Very up to date information
Not so good for:
Accurate and reliable information

21. Newspaper
What are they:
A regular publication containing current events,
informative articles, diverse features and
advertising.
May be electronic.
Good for:
Daily information
Not so good for:
Balanced and well researched information

22. Journal
What are they:
A regular publication containing
articles on a particular academic
subject.
Presents new research.
Good for:
Latest research, critically
reviewed by experts
Not so good for:
Broad overview of a subject

23. Popular (trade) journal
What are they:
A regular publication
containing new products plus
information for a business
sector.
Good for:
Latest product news
Not so good for:
Detailed and objective
reports

24. EVALUATING INFORMATION

25. Evaluating information
• It is very important to think about the quality
of the information before you use it!
• This is called evaluating information
• Here are some criteria that you can help you
when evaluating information…

26. Evaluating information: Authority
• Can you tell who wrote the information
(author/organisation name)?
• What are their qualifications/credentials?
• Is the source reputable? e.g. is the article
published in a scholarly / peer reviewed
journal?

27. Evaluating information: Relevance:
• The importance of the information in relation
to your topic?
• Will it answer my question?
• Is the information at the right level - who is
the intended audience?
• Depth of coverage – does the information go
into enough detail or does it just touch on
your topic?

28. Evaluating information: Objectivity
• What is the purpose of information, e.g. is it
to Sell? Entertain? Teach, Propaganda, etc.
• Is the information
biased (only represents one view) or
balanced (represents all opposing views)
• Does it links to supporting information?

29. Evaluating information: Accuracy
• Is the information reliable, truthful, correct?
• Where does the information come from. Are
the sources listed?
• Are the sources reputable?
• Can you verify the information with other
sources?

30. Evaluating information: Currency
• How old is this information?
• When was it last updated?
• Can you use older sources in your work, e.g.
historical research, or do you need up-to-date
information?

31. Summary
• Different types of resources have different
types of information
• The quality of information can vary for
different resource types
• Evaluating information – what to consider:
Authority - Relevance – Objectivity –
Accuracy - Currency

32. Coming next week…
• Finding resources for assignments (journal articles etc)
• Using the Library’s financial databases (FAME & BankScope)
• Using the Library’s marketing databases (Business Source
Complete. Keynote & Passport GMID)
Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/steven-young/4176704759/

33. Need more help?
Please contact us for further help / to book an appointment
Library Subject Guides http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk
Ask a Librarian http://askalibrarian.mdx.ac.uk/

34. Evaluating information:
-Exercise 4
• Image you are researching the topic Small
Businesses and International Entrepreneurship
• You have been given 4 items of information that
might be useful for your research
• In your groups, look at each item and answer the
questions on your worksheet.
• You have 15mins

35. Item 1 - Wikipedia article:
• Is this information relevant to your research?
The information is relevant & has in-depth coverage
• Is this information reliable?
Don’t know if the information in the article is reliable
or accurate because we don’t know who the authors
are, also the information can be edited.
• Does the author have any academic authority?
?????????????

36. Item 1 - Wikipedia article:
• Is the information biased or balanced?
The information seems to be balanced. The purpose of
the information is to inform – not sell or sway opinion.
• Is this information up to date?
???????????????
• Would you use this information in your research?
No, but maybe use the references at the end of
the article? (you must evaluate these too)

37. Item 2 - Newspaper article:
• Is this information relevant to your research?
The information is not relevant & too simplistic
• Is this information reliable?
No. The article does not state where the facts have
come from.
• Does the author have any academic authority?
The author is a journalist for The Sun (tabloid
newspaper). No academic authority.

38. Item 2 - Newspaper article:
• Is the information biased or balanced?
No, the author continually pays tribute to the Sun, a
Conservation paper. It does not present alternative
views.
• Is this information up to date?
Maybe?
• Would you use this information in your research?
No way! Not relevant, not accurate, not objective
and no authority.

39. Item 3 – Academic journal:
• Is this information relevant to your research?
Very relevant to the topic & has in-depth coverage
• Is this information reliable?
Yes, The information is balanced and the author uses
references to verify his work. Academic journal – good
quality information.
• Does the author have any academic authority?
Yes (Florida State University)

40. Item 3 – Academic journal:
• Is the information biased or balanced?
The information is balanced. The purpose of the
information is to inform and is written for the
academic community.
• Is this information up to date?
No (2001!)
• Would you use this information in your research?
No, the information is too old. Need to look for
more recent articles.

41. Item 4 – Trade journal:
• Is this information relevant to your research?
The information is not relevant & is too simplistic
• Is this information reliable?
Not reliable. Not very well written, No other references
used in the work. Does not state where the facts have
come from.
• Does the author have any academic authority?
No. He is President of ISSPA but not an academic
and does not have expert knowledge of SMA or
Entrepreneurship.

42. Item 4 – Trade journal:
• Is the information biased or balanced?
Very biased. Based only on his own opinion.
• Is this information up to date?
Yes (2009)
• Would you use this information in your research?
No way! Not relevant, not accurate, not objective
and no authority.