This book addresses the growing problem of how to sort the quality sites from the mass of junk available. Uniquely, it suggests a system of criteria and guidelines, developed through empirical research, for selecting and evaluating high-quality information resources. It also advises on devising checklists and rating schemes for numerically evaluating the quality of information. This edition updates the user on the latest developments in Internet-based search tools for locating quality information including: search engines subject catalogues and directories rating and reviewing services subject-based gateway services virtual libraries. Information and guidance about the new Resource Discovery Network, the potential role and usefulness of metadata in locating quality information, and using web 'citations' for retrieving quality material have also been added to this edition. Step-by-step examples have been included on how to evaluate particular types of resources available via the Internet.

Web Wisdom is an essential reference for anyone needing to evaluate or establish information quality on the World Wide Web. The book includes easy to use checklists for step-by-step quality evaluations of virtually any Web page. The checklists can also be used by Web authors to help them ensure quality information on their pages. In addition, Web Wisdom addresses other important issues, such as understanding the ways that advertising and sponsorship may affect the quality of Web information. It features: * a detailed discussion of the items involved in evaluating Web information; * checklists tailored to the creation and evaluation of specific Web page types (advocacy, business, informational, news, personal, entertainment); * over 40 screen captures illustrating the principles presented in the book; * discussion of copyright issues and meta tags; and * a glossary of terms and bibliography.

Based on the book A Guide to Finding Quality Information on the Internet (ISBN 1-85604-267-7), this course addresses the problem of how to evaluate information on the Internet in order to identify quality sites. Trainees will take away a system of criteria and guidelines for selecting and evaluating quality information services which they can then apply to their own information work.

We live in an information-saturated environment and spend far too much time searching, surfing, skimming, contributing, and organizing the information in our lives. We spend too little time immersing ourselves in reliable high quality information. We are often so buried in information and strapped for time that we grab information like it was fast food, without bothering to evaluate its quality. Finding Reliable Information Online: Adventures of an Information Sleuth uses stories or “information adventures” to illustrate the best approaches to searching for information and to help us develop our aptitude for locating high quality resources in a rapidly changing digital environment that is becoming proficient at monopolizing our attention with useless or unreliable information. This book is about taking charge of the search process and not handing over the reins to search engines like Google, Bing, or Yahoo to dictate what information we consume. Each chapter focuses on a quest for different types of information while digging deeper into the complexities of finding credible places to look for information and ways to think about evaluating it. As the Internet evolves and becomes more sophisticated, our strategies for finding and evaluating information need to evolve as well. The stories in this book range from investigating challenging research questions to exploring health issues and everyday life questions like finding a reliable restaurant or product review. These chapters go beyond the simple and more mechanical checklist approach to evaluating information, though these factors are also discussed.

Online Searching is your complete guide to becoming a superstar searcher, wielding advanced searching features, strategies, and tactics for answering questions on any topic under the sun as well as finding answers in trusted, quality sources.

With current Government targets to increase health and social care practitioners, there is an increased need for informed mentors and preceptors to support the development of the students and new health professionals. Enabling learning in nursing and midwifery practice: A guide for mentorsseeks to underpin recent mentoring initiatives, exploring the impact of mentoring, supervision and preceptorship on professional practice, covering principles that underpin effective learning and providing practical guidance on mentoring and assessment strategies within practice settings. Enabling learning in nursing and midwifery practice: A guide for mentorsaddresses the inter-professional and policy context for mentorship, examines the nature of effective learning environments and provides mentors with the necessary tools to assist students in their development within a practice setting. It explores the use of reflective practice, virtual learning and other core resources to enhance and support learning in practice and addresses assessing practice, making correct judgements about student competence and the development of competence in newly qualified practitioners. Enabling learning in nursing and midwifery practice: A guide for mentorsis an important resource text for practitioners seeking to support learning in practice as well as experienced mentors and preceptors seeking to update their skills and understanding. Key features * Evidence-based, practical guide to effective mentoring and preceptorship * Integrates theory and practice * Addresses the context of learning in practice and the challenges of clinical supervision * Promotes understanding of the importance of assessing practice and managing the mentoring process * Equips mentors to enable students and newly qualified staff to gain confidence and expertise * Includes activities, points for reflection and examples from practice

This book introduces readers to the principles underlying digital libraries, illustrating these principles by reference to a wide range of digital library practices throughout the world. Individual chapters deal with issues such as: digital library users and the services that are offered to them, the standards and protocols with which digital libraries must operate in order to cooperate with other institutions, and issues such as the administration of digital libraries, including discussion of intellectual property rights and preservation issues. A final chapter comprises eight case studies drawn from all over the world, used to illustrate points made in earlier chapters. Throughout the book, the challenges of developing and implementing digital library systems in multilingual and multicultural environments are explored.

A sourcebook of exercises, games, scenarios and role plays, this practical, user-friendly guide provides a complete and valuable resource for research methods tutors, teachers and lecturers. Developed to complement and enhance existing course materials, the 100 ready-to-use activities encourage innovative and engaging classroom practice in seven areas: finding and using sources of information planning a research project conducting research using and analyzing data disseminating results acting ethically developing deeper research skills. Each of the activities is divided into a section on tutor notes and student handouts. Tutor notes contain clear guidance about the purpose, level and type of activity, along with a range of discussion notes that signpost key issues and research insights. Important terms, related activities and further reading suggestions are also included. Not only does the A4 format make the student handouts easy to photocopy, they are also available to download and print directly from the book’s companion website for easy distribution in class.