Academics
Writing and Researching a Human Interest Story
| JO 102: Introduction to Writing | Instructor: Catherine Bodnar, Librarian: Marilyn Scoville |
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Pop star Madonna's lawyer Allan Chinula speaks to journalists after a hearing at the Malawi High courts in Lilongwe, Nov. 13, 2006, (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi).
- Writing and Citation Guides and Dictionaries....
The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual: SMC Library, Reference PN4783.A8
The Associated Press Guide to Internet Research and Reporting : SMC Library, Reference PN4784.E5 B38
Online citation Guides:/library/facts/citation.asp
AP Stylebook online FAQ's: http://www.apstylebook.com/ask_editor.php
Dictionaries...
Dictionaries available online at SMC: /library/facts/dictionaries.asp
Geographic Names Information System: http://geonames.usgs.gov/
- Criteria for Evaluating Sources: Check your sources!! Don't Rely on ONE Source!!
Authority: Who is the author of the information/book, article, web site, document? Is the author a news reporter, educator, expert in a particular field? Where did the information come from? Does the article refer to a primary source?
Timeliness: When was the article written, the book published? Does the web site or page have a date or has it been updated recently? Does this date impact the relevancy of the information?
Scholarship: Is there a bibliography indicating recent, relevant, reliable research? Who is credited with the information, data, or facts? Who is the intended audience?
Objectivity: Is the material biased? Is there a personal or group agenda evident?
- Websites for Polls and Statistics
Gallup Organization http://www.gallup.com
Polling Report: publishes the results of current polls conducted by U.S. public survey organizations http://www.pollingreport.com
Pew Internet and American Life Project: reports and data regarding technology, computers, and the internet and how people use them www.pewinternet.org
Pew Research Center, Numbers, Facts, and Trends Shaping Your World: www.pewresearch.org
Pew Research Center for the People and the Press: survey results and opinion polls www.people-press.org
Bureau of Labor Statistics: http://stats.bls.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: www.hhs.gov
National Institute on drug abuse: www.drugabuse.gov
U.S. Census Bureau: reliable, regularly updated, data about the the people and economy of the U.S.
- Biographical Databases
- Statistical Databases
ProQuest Statistical
Statistical information available as indexed tables from federal, state, and international intergovernmental (IGO) publications
Statistical Abstract of the United States: Both current and historical data are included
- Magazine and Newspaper Databases
Newspapers
New York Times Current (1980-present)
Additional national, state, and local newspapers available online at SMC:
Magazines
- Checking Facts, Internet Hoaxes, and Url's
Fact Check.org: http://www.factcheck.org
Urban Legends and Folklore: http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/blhoax.htm
Don't Spread that Hoax: www.nonprofit.net/hoax/default.htm
Scambusters: www.scambusters.org
Snopes: www.snopes2.com
National Fraud Center: www.fraud.org/welmes.htm
Check Domain: www.checkdomain.com
Register.com: www.register.com
- Online Searching Tutorial
Barebones 101: Basic Tutorial for Searching the Web:created by Ellen Chamberlain, Head Librarian at the University of South Carolina Beaufort campus.
Maintained by Marilyn Scoville