I do feel a bit overwhelmed by the amount of resources we've used and experienced in this course. However, I am excited about all of the information I've come across that is so readily available (that I really didn't take the time to realize was there).
So, are the homework research questions driving me crazy? Kind of....ok, yes, but only the ones I have a hard time answering/finding. Sounds terrible, but it is the honest truth and way of my researching madness.
I find myself wanting to instantly Google the searches I am having difficulty with finding elsewhere, but I try to allow myself to at least look at 4 to 5 different sources (print and online) before I given to the Google temptation.
For instance, in the last homework assignment, I had some difficulty locating an answer to one of the biographic questions. All I had to go one was the person's name and the fact that it was a man (because it referred to the person as he in the "write what he is known for" statement). So, I looked at all the online encyclopedia sources I knew of, then the Fact Finder website, then I went to printed sources (again encyclopedias and biographical items)....and nothing. So, I gave into to Google... and behold, I found my answer. Did I think the source was reputable? Kind of, only because it was a historical society. Otherwise, my only other option was the infamous Wikipedia. lol
For the most part I do cringe at some of the searches we have to do, but I am really trying my best to make the most of the research and reference aspect of this course. I want to be able to be able to help patrons to the best of my ability in my line of work (and honestly, I want to know where to find things for myself as well).
5 comments:
I have trouble finding the answers sometimes myself, too. Too bad we
cannot use Wikipedia this assignment.
Sounds like finding info on Galen Clark was a challenge for many. I had the same kind of problem. Glad to see I wasn't the only one.
yep everyone probably had difficulty with that name. I wondered if it wasn't a typo of Helen Clark.
some of the research questions were so random and disassocatiated...there'd be no way to write a research paper out of all the answers haha. but they're the kinds of things that could be on Jepardy or something, but those people know answers without having to look things up!
I'm glad that I'm not the only one who feels overwhelmed by the mass of information presented in this class. Not that it's a bad thing, it is just a lot to process. The homework questions are killing me.
Vanessa,
Joanne said...
Hi Vanessa,
Re: Your comment to my blog. I appreciate the reminder.I bookmark to My Favorites all the time for sites that I want to refer to again, can't imagine why I neglected to do it with reference sources. Thanks again!
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