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Information Sources Survey

Here you will find the requirements and guidelines for the assignment followed by an assignment helper to get you started!

View a video about the assignment:

  • The purpose of this assignment is to introduce you to the types of information sources used by information providers and their communities. Its goal is to help you to identify and evaluate information sources and determine their appropriate users and uses.

    Getting Started

    • Start early – don’t procrastinate!
    • Review the assignment overview video, assignment requirements, grading criteria, and information on finding and evaluating your sources carefully
    • Download and review the
    • Create a check-list or tracking mechanism to ensure your finished assignment meets all the requirements
    • Review sample assignments of Information Sources Survey
    • Review what you’ve learned so far about your information community
      • What makes them unique?
      • What makes them a community?
      • What types of information do they need?
      • What do you know so far about the information needs and information-seeking behaviors of the information community you are researching?
      • How and where would they find that information? If you’re not sure, put yourself in their shoes. Where would you try to find that information?

    Assignment Requirements

    Using the materials and resources in Modules 6 and 7, locate and describe one research-based and one community-based information source that would be of interest or value to your chosen information community.

    The research-based source will be a source a member of your chosen community might find in a library and consult to meet an information need.

    The community-based source will be a resource a member of your chosen community might contribute to or participate in as part of information seeking behaviors. Both sources should not be selected from course readings. These are meant to be original sources that relate to your research into your chosen information community and can be used later in your literature review matrix and research paper.

    IMPORTANT: The two sources you choose should be a researched-based source (encyclopedia, almanac, academic journal as a whole, authoritative Website, etc) and a community-based resource (Zine, newsletter, virtual community, blog, etc). Do not choose a single peer-reviewed article as your research-based resource.

    The Information Sources Survey, including the reference list, should be a minimum of 1400 words in length and should not exceed 1700 words. It must be double spaced and in APA 7 format.

    Note: If one of your sources is a “whole journal,” APA 7 does not have a citation style for a “whole journal.” Please utilize this simple citation style for journals: Journal Name.Publisher. Related Website.

    **A template for the assignment is available for download here: Information Sources Survey Template. The template provides a detailed overview of what to include in each section of the assignment, including your introduction, review of sources, compare, contrast & reflection, and references.

    Finding Sources

    In Module #6, you learned how to search for scholarly/research journals and about various research-based sources. Put that knowledge to work for you on this assignment.

    Potential research-based source locations:

    In Module #7, you learned about community generated sources of information. Use some of the examples there to brainstorm some sources for your information community.

    Potential community-based source locations:

    • Blogs, websites, newsletters, mailing lists created by and for the community
    • Literature from non-profit or other organizations that participate in and serve your information community
    • Common “favorites” for your information community – favorite television shows, celebrities, music, etc. – are there information sources for those common favorites that serve your information community?

    Evaluating and Selecting Your Sources

    After you’ve identified a few research-based and community-based sources, analyze them and select the two (one research-based and one community-based source) that have comparisons and contrasts you can identify and describe.

    Research-based source analysis

    Determine:

    • What are the credentials of the author(s)?
    • What resources and references have they used?
    • Have others referenced their work?
    • Considering the author(s) and institution, how might the information they present have bias?
    • Considering the author(s) and institution, what gaps in information may exist?

    Community-based source analysis

    Determine:

    • Is the source creator a member of your information community?
      • If not, what is their relationship, if any, to this community?
    • Does the source use language and terms used by your information community?
    • Does the source have evidence of use by your information community?
    • What do members of your information community say about this source?
      • Check the comments and feedback sections
      • Are members of your information community using this source in their writings/creations?
    • Considering the author(s) and institution, how might the information they present have bias?
    • Considering the author(s) and institution, what gaps in information may exist?

    Before Submitting Your Assignment

    • Review the assignment description, requirements, and rubric carefully again.
    • Spell and grammar check your document.
    • Take a break from your document and come back later to proofread it (manually).
    • Ask a peer to proofread your document – offer to do the same for them.
    • If you submit your assignment on Canvas prior to the due date and discover you have corrections to make, you can re-submit your assignment prior to the deadline.

    Submitting Your Assignment

    Submit your finished paper to Canvas (not your blog) using the naming convention: “LastName_NameofAssignment” as a PDF or Word document.

    Assignment Examples

    It is highly recommended that you look over at least one example Information Sources Survey assignment to gain a better understanding of the assignment and what is expected.

    The Assignment Synthesis page includes examples of information communities researched in the past. You will find links to individual blog posts (posts 2-7), as well as to the four major assignments of this course, including the research paper.

    (Note that some examples were completed in previous semesters and included an assignment that has since been replaced by the LIS Model/Theory Research Summary.)

    Grading Criteria

    Criteria Points
    Required components 2
    Mechanics 2
    Comprehension and analysis 4
    Connections to course content and information science 2
    TOTAL 10
    • Required components evaluates whether your Information Sources Survey has a solid organizational foundation and includes all assignment requirements. You should provide a critical and cohesive annotation for each source that addresses the criteria listed in the assignment guidelines: position in the information cycle; scope and content; credentials of the author or authors, and publisher, purpose, intended audience, design, currency, biases and gaps, value to the information community; Includes a critical evaluation of each source, noting both its strengths and weaknesses. The assignment should meet the word count requirements.
    • Mechanics assesses the quality of writing and technical aspects of the survey. The survey contains clarity of prose, a logical outline, transitional components, and is error-free; is formatted correctly and provides correct APA citation for each source; has a style suitable for academic work at the Masters level. 
    • Comprehension and analysis assesses the learner’s broad understanding of the ideas and ability to integrate the ideas into their work. You should select appropriate resources that reflect research-based sources and community-based sources driven by an understanding of the chosen information community’s information needs.
    • Connections to course content and information science evaluates how you use INFO 200 materials and LIS theories as a framework for your ideas. You should clearly incorporate and cite foundational INFO 200 materials to support ideas and make connections; demonstrate the ability to support findings regarding the chosen information community with appropriate LIS models and theories.
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