An Event Happens...
It could be newsworthy, historic, or even a relatively insignificant event, like a celebrity getting married. Information about this event will be communicated via various methods. Some of the information shared may not be accurate.
We will learn more about different resource types in the next module, but one of the primary differences between the resources we use is the creator of the content. The content creator ultimately selects which information to include and which information to leave out when discussing a topic or an event.
Who creates the information we view? Where does the information cycle begin? Where does it end?
Information is
Powerful
Information can come from
Anywhere
Within Minutes...
Information about the event begins to show up on social media sites. Reports from individuals who witnessed the event quickly get mixed in with second-hand accounts (e.g. my brother’s girlfriend’s cousin said...).
Conflicting reports and outright falsehoods contribute to our understanding of the event. Information becomes increasingly unclear and overly biased. We have a broad understanding of the event, but specifics are limited.
The Next Day...
News outlets begin to report the story with more detail. Newspaper articles and television broadcasts will feature interviews with authorities that have additional information about the event.
Much of the innaccurate information shared when the story first broke will be discredited. The reliability of the information will increase; this will continue to increase as time passes.
Information can
Change
The Weeks and Months ahead...
Academic Journals
Scholars begin to dissect all of the news reports about an event. Studies may be conducted about why such events occur. The event can be compared and contrasted with other, similar events from history. Articles and reports on the event begin popping up in academic journals.
Books
Books may look at the event much like articles from academic journals, but often focus on a specific aspect of the event or compare the event with similar historic events. Specific individuals involved in the event could be singled out and have an entire volume dedicated to their perspective or experience.
Government Publications
Government documents look to preserve data or information about the event for future generations. Congressional reports about major events or scientific data from research funded with government dollars are typical examples of government publications.
Ask-A-Librarian
If you have any questions about the Research Process, using library resources, or completing these modules, please contact one of our Reference Librarians via the contact information below. You can always call or text our Ask-a-Librarian phone number for help as well. That number is 260.638.VANN (8266).
Reference Librarians
Cindy Kump, MLS
Reference & Instruction Librarian
260.399.7700, ext. 6056
ckump@sf.edu
Celia Price, MLS
Reference & Instruction Librarian
260.399.7700, ext. 6066
cprice@sf.edu
