The hardest thing about finding information for me is finding credible information on the internet. Another thing is when I am doing research I am tempted to just google everything and the first site that usually always comes up is Wikipedia. Since Wikipedia is not really a trusted and credible site, it is hard not to use it as a reference. Wikipedia can be accessed by anyone and any person can change and edit the website. When a topic isn't given and you are supposed to choose a topic on your own, I also find that difficult. It can be tough not knowing or having a clue where to start. Other than that, I find everything else pretty easy. Doing research can be fun, especially if you have an interesting topic because you are finding more information about it and learning new things that you may have not know before.
This library research course didn't help me significantly but it did help me learn more about plagiarism. Plagiarism is a very serious deal in college and I had the opportunity to learn different ways on avoiding plagiarism. When I go to college I will be able to look back and be glad I had the chance to learn about correctly citing my sources and the right way to use quotation marks and paranthesis. I enjoyed the library research class but it would have been more fun and interesting if we had more assignments or group work.
Finding credible information can be challenging but it sounds like now you have a few tools to help you. And I agree with you that sometimes the hardest part of doing research is when you have to pick your own topic.
ReplyDeletePlagiarism is a big issue in education so it is good that you learned more about it.
Good luck to you in your continued studies!
Melissa De Santis, MLIS
Deputy Director
Health Sciences Library
Univ of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus