This guide will help you get started with the Information Sources Survey assignment:
View a video about the assignment:
Information Sources Survey:
Using LIS guides, databases, and other relevant professional resources, students will locate and describe two information sources created for and used by the community they are studying. The survey will include a critical description of each source and an assessment of its value to the community.
The goal of the Information Sources Survey is to identify and evaluate information sources used by information providers and their communities and determine their appropriate users and uses as it pertains to your information community.
IMPORTANT: The two sources you choose should be a researched-based source (encyclopedia, almanac, academic journal as a whole, authoritative Web site, 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.
Then follow the steps on the assignment and helper page.
Hi @michael, I am researching the information behavior of the theatre community which consists of many different professions. Would it be okay to choose two sources that cater to different groups within the community, for example, a research-based source for costume designers and a community-based source for actors? And for the community based source, is it acceptable to report on a “smaller” source that is limited to a specific geographic location or is it better to chose something broader for the community as a whole?
@aroset I do not comment on exact selections but I can totally see titles aimed at one segment of a community being applicable to others and perhaps all of the community. 🙂 Does that make sense?
Yes, thank you!
@michael Would a documentary or dedicated magazine be considered a research-based source?
@laura great question! Perhaps use the criteria here to decide:
https://infocom.hyperlib.sjsu.edu/blog/research-based-vs-community-based/