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Lesson 1 Contents: |
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INFORMATION FORMATS When information is recorded and stored, it exists in a physical form called a format. There are three broad categories of format: Print – paper Audio-visual - film, audiotape, videocassette, slides, microfilm, vinyl records, etc. Electronic – information that’s recorded, stored and retrieved using computer technology. Examples include CD’s, DVD’s, and all online sources. When doing research, be aware that the information you seek may exist in any one or more of these formats. Although more and more information exists in electronic and audio-visual format, you should not overlook the significant amounts of information readily --- and sometimes only – available in print format. INFORMATION SOURCES Modern society offers a wide array of sources of information. Listed below are the most common information sources existing today, which may be available in print, audio-visual, and/or electronic format. • Books: still one of the most common and user-friendly sources of information, ideas, and entertainment. Throughout human history, from the Bible to Hitler’s Mein Kampf, books have been the vehicle for conveying the most honorable as well as the most contemptible accomplishments and speculations of the human mind. Books are divided into two categories: fiction or nonfiction:
• Reference Sources: works that provide
a variety of factual, statistical, or other descriptive information,
often in a brief or summarized form. Examples include encyclopedias,
dictionaries, almanacs, directories, etc. • Periodicals (Serials): the term used to refer to newspapers, magazines, and journals. They are called “periodicals” (or “serials”) because they are published periodically, i.e. at regular intervals -- daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly. Newspapers and magazines offer information geared to the general reader, whereas journals usually offer more scholarly analysis and discussion.
• Websites: A Website is a coherent collection
of Web pages that are linked together and reside on that part of
the Internet known as the World Wide Web (aka the “Web”).
Millions of Websites exist, offering vast amounts of information
of varying credibility and worth. • Specialized Sources: A variety of specialized sources exist that provide unique, scholarly, or historically valuable information. Examples include:
• People: Individuals with unique or specialized
expertise or experience are often extremely valuable sources of
information. You will gain experience using many of these information sources during this course and learn how they differ in terms of the kinds of information they provide. It is important, therefore, when doing research, to choose a source that’s likely to provide the information you seek. TYPES OF INFORMATION Information itself can be categorized into two broad types: Primary: information in its original, first-hand presentation. Often used in historical research, primary information enables the researcher to “return” to the past and get as close as possible to an historical event or time period. Examples of this type of information, usually referred to as primary sources, include: • Diaries Secondary: information that examines, interprets,
or discusses current or historical events or phenomenon. Usually
referred to as secondary sources, they are removed
in time from the original facts or events and are therefore second-hand
commentaries or interpretations. Depending on your topic, both primary and secondary sources may be valuable for your research.
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