Help with Finding & Evaluating Sources
- Contact / Schedule Appointment - Nursing, Kinesiology, and Health Sciences LibrarianNot sure where to start your literature search or if what you have found is reputable? Your librarian is here to help via email, Webex/phone, or face to face appointment.
- Wright State University Libraries "How to" ResourcesShort introductions on how to navigate the library's resources. Menu is on the left side.
- Health Statistics GuideRelevant links to find global, national, and state health statistics, including health statistics related to specific populations.
General CINAHL HelpWright State University's CINAHL Help Guide.
General PubMed HelpWright State University's PubMed Help Guide.
Information CycleSometimes it seems like everything is online. In many cases, that can complicate the process of finding the information you need because it takes more work to identify why type of information you’re encountering. This workshop will offer strategies for identifying the different types of available information and selecting the appropriate type for your information need.
Stop Searching and Start FindingSorting through different information sources can be stressful. You’ve heard that using the library databases give you better results, but they can be confusing and overwhelming. In this workshop, we demystify databases and offer suggestions that will help you to find better results faster and easier.
Simple Steps to Reading Scholarly ArticlesAre you dreading reading through those 8-20 page articles you found for your paper? Do they seem like they are written in a different language? Never fear! In this workshop, you will learn strategies for making sense of those long, and let’s face it, sometimes boring, articles. Funds for the creation of this workshop were provided by the Students First Fund, a grant program created by the Wright State University Foundation.
Evaluating Information: Media SourcesHow do you know if the article you found is good enough to use for your assignment? Learn strategies for evaluating sources whether you find them on the Internet, in the library, or in the library’s databases.
Integrating Your SourcesYou’ve searched for articles and books and you have a list of sources that are on your topic. Now how are you supposed to use them in your paper? In this workshop, staff from the Writing Center and a librarian will take you through the process of integrating those sources in your paper. Learn how to quote and paraphrase while avoiding plagiarism and keeping your voice the focus of your paper.
Citing Your SourcesWe all know that plagiarism is bad, but is avoiding plagiarism the only reason to cite? Why do we have to follow all the pesky rules about capitalization, punctuation, and numbering? And why are there so many different styles? In this workshop, we provide an overview of the reasons for citing, guidelines for when to cite and when it's not necessary, and how to find answers to your questions about formatting.Funds for the creation of this workshop were provided by the Students First Fund, a grant program created by the Wright State University Foundation.
Evaluating and Reading Your Sources (including research in the health sciences)
Before you rely on ANY type of information (websites, media, books, articles), you should evaluate whether the source is credible. Here are some options that may help.
- Evaluating Information - Media SourcesWright State University Libraries (Videos only - no quizzes). How do you know if the article you found is good enough to use for your assignment? Learn strategies for evaluating sources whether you find them on the Internet, in the library, or in the library’s databases.
- Evaluating Online Sources through Lateral ReadingA one-page handout from the University of Louisville which contrasts how you may have been taught to evaluate online sources with how you should evaluate them.
- Evaluating scientific claims (or, do we have to take the scientist's word for it?)Published by Scientific American in 2011, but still relevant.
- Know the Science: 9 Questions To Help You Make Sense of Health ResearchThe National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH) provides 9 questions for "understanding the basics of scientific studies to help you make better health decisions".
- Bad EvidenceIrwig L, Irwig J, Trevena L, et al. Smart Health Choices: Making Sense of Health Advice. London: Hammersmith Press; 2008. Chapter 3, Bad evidence. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK63649/
- Simple Steps to Reading Scholarly ArticlesWright State University Libraries. Videos only (no quizzes). Strategies for reading academic articles.
Evidence Evaluation Table - Template and Sample
- Evidence Evaluation Table TemplateCopy and paste from this template to create the columns for your own Evidence Evaluation Table. [Online-only content for “Critical Appraisal of the Evidence: Part I,” by Fineout-Overholt and colleagues in the American Journal of Nursing, July 2010, p. 47-52]
- Sample Evidence Evaluation Table - CompletedThis is an example of an Evidence Evaluation with all of the elements filled in. [Online-only content for “Critical Appraisal of the Evidence: Part III,” by Fineout-Overholt and colleagues in the American Journal of Nursing, November 2010, p. 43-51.]
- More EBP Resources for Nursing"How to" links, tutorials, articles, and videos covering all aspects of the process of Evidence-Based Practice.
APA Style
- APA Style HelpGeneral APA guidelines, samples and templates, and sample citations for various types of sources.
Appropriately Integrating Your Sources and Avoiding Plagiarism
- Integrating Your Sources - Qualtrics ModuleA Research Toolkit workshop with quizzes to assess your knowledge.
- How to Avoid PlagiarismA variety of links with tips for avoiding plagiarism.
- How to Use a Writing Cleanroom to Avoid Plagiarismby Jonathan Bailey for PlagiarismToday
- Avoiding Plagiarism: The Harvard Guide to Using SourcesThis particular page provides excellent tips on how to avoid plagiarism, especially unintentional plagiarism. The entire guide, published by the Harvard College Writing Program, is useful for establishing good research and writing habits from start to finish. A navigation bar is available in the left column.
