Workshops, seminars and presentations

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Advanced Google Searching
How to get the best out of Google and improve search results

Essential non-Google search tools for researchers
General search and specialist alternatives to Google

Free search tools for scientific information
Options for searching and viewing scientific papers and information free of charge

Navigating the Deep Web
Advanced search strategies for researchers

Social Search
When and how to use social media and professional networks as part of your search strategy

Business information resources
Key internet resources for business information concentrating on free and PAYG

Market research and statistics
Resources and search techniques for tracking down quality market research and statistics

Free government, official and legal resources
How to track down current and past papers, policy documents, legislation and official research

Finding and using open data
Tools and techniques for finding and using open data sets

Assessing the quality of information
How to separate the good from the bad and exceedingly ugly

Assessing the quality of information

Anyone and everyone can publish on the Web. Not all, though, are qualified or knowledgeable in their chosen subject and some even publish deliberately misleading information. Separating fact from fiction, and scrutinising the credentials of an author are now an essential part of any research, especially as social media makes it so easy to perpetuate errors and display information out of context.

This workshop provides a step by step guide to assessing and evaluating the quality of information. All types of media will be covered but the emphasis will be on electronic resources.

Topics include:

  • general criteria for assessing quality
  • analysing a web page - who is behind it, its history, credibility and authority
  • checklists for different types of resources such as news, company financials, market research
  • how to use hoaxbuster and "Urban legend" sites
  • using social media to quality check information
  • honing your nonsense radar
  • true or false quiz

This workshop is suitable for all levels of experience. The techniques and approaches covered can be applied to all subject areas.

This workshop is usually run as a full day, hands on event with opportunities for participants to experiment and try out the techniques for themselves. It can be condensed into a half day session or a seminar concentrating on key elements. Sections of this workshop can be presented as a webinar. Please contact Karen Blakeman for further information.

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