Students have trouble judging the credibility of information online, researchers find

As a librarian, part of my job is to try and help students understand and navigate the vast amounts of information out there, relating to their studies. These skills for finding, understanding, evaluating and using information though are applicable to many other aspects of our lives. This short article, Students have trouble judging the credibility of information online, researchers find from ScienceDaily summarises the findings of a Stanford History Education Group report Evaluating information: the cornerstone of civic online reasoning.  While the students, in this instance, are studying history, a lot of the challenges they face while searching for information online can be applied to students studying other subjects, as well as the population more widely.

In the year when Oxford Dictionaries has named the Word of the Year as Post-Truth and fake news is on the rise, it's more important than ever that we can find, understand and evaluate information whether we are using it in an academic assignment, deciding where to go on holiday or who to vote for.

If you have any questions about finding, evaluating and using information then remember that you can contact me or make an appointment to discuss what you need.

There is also the Library and Information Skills Moodle Module which offers help and guidance around finding, evaluating, managing and using information.

Saturday workshops - autumn term

The Library is running the following workshops during the autumn term on Saturday 15th October and Saturday 19th November. The workshops will be held in the Library Seminar Room on Level 1 of the Library. All staff and students are welcome.

There are a maximum of 30 places on each workshop. They may not run if less than 5 people book - we will contact you if a workshop is cancelled.

If you have any queries please contact the Library

Date and Time	Workshop
15th October and 19th November 11.30am - 12.30pm	Getting Ready to Study Learn how to organise your work, and make yourself aware of academic learning support materials and what the Library has to offer.  Book Now

15th October and 19th November 12.45 - 1.30pm	Getting to Grips with your Reading List  Understand what you are being asked to read and how to follow up references, etc.  Book Now
15th October and 19th November 2.30 - 3.45pm	Finding Information for Essays or Assignments Find books, articles, etc on a particular topic. Learn to search the Library Catalogue and Discover service.  Book Now
15th October and 19th November 4.00 - 5.00pm	Google Scholar vs Birkbeck Discover Pick up tips on using Google Scholar and Birkbeck Discover. Essential functionality and features of both services. Book Now