Lee - Consultant
Lee’s happy with your research so far and thinks it will be useful for the final report. You’ll need to decide where to use the different types of resources and check whether they are suitable for your needs.
Start the beginning of the first topic and work through the module in order.Complete each activity as you go. When prompted, click on the save buttonbefore moving onto the next section. Each section must be completed in one sitting to ensure all answers are saved correctly.You can create a PDF of your results (for your reference) just follow the prompts or you can submit your answers to Library Staff. NB. The PDF will only generate if you have entered and saved all your answers.Don't forget to go to the quiz page, located in CloudDeakin. You can get there via the Conclusion page 2/2 in this module.Email us as digital.literacy.bl@deakin.edu.au(Opens email) for help, or post your questions in the Essential Digital Literacy forum thread(Opens in a new tab). We will respond within 2 business days.
1. Understanding when to use different formats
Information comes in many different types of formats, for example; books, journal articles, newspaper articles, websites and so much more!
The format of the source type will usually determine the type of information it holds. Knowing what kind of information can be found in each format can help you understand how to use it in the most effective way.
In the last section, Lee had you find different types of information from numerous sources on the Great Barrier Reef, the tourism industry, potential consumers, and marketing theory.
She wants to include the information you’ve found in the final report so that the company knows the recommendations are informed by valid research. However, you’re a bit unsure how to check the quality of the information and you want to be sure what you are using is reliable and accurate.
Head to the quiz to test your knowledge on Using information. Use the quiz link located on the bottom right of the page. Score 80% or above to unlock the next section of the module: Sharing Information.
If you consent to sending your answers to Library staff for the purpose of improving this module, please Click here (Opens in a new tab) to upload the PDF file.
Click here to create a PDF of your answers. The PDF will only generate if you have entered and saved all your answers. You can save the PDF for your own personal reference.
Please note: to save you may need to change the default printer option to Adobe PDF.
3. Conclusion
1. Understanding when to use different formats
Lee needs help with deciding where to use the information you found in the report. It’s time to learn about different formats of information and the purposes they’re best suited to.
Start Step 12. Critically evaluating information
Lee’s looked at the information you sent her. She has some questions about the suitability of the sources. You’ll need to look at them again to see if they are credible and accurate.
Start Step 23. Conclusion
Head to the Quiz and Finalise your answers page.
Start Step 3
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Lee - Consultant
“Great! So, we now know that the information we’ve found is credible and where it will fit into the report. Next, we’ll have to think about how we will share it with the company.”
In this module you will learn how to:
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Understand when to use different formats of information
Evaluate information critically
From:
Lee Manager
Sent:
Tuesday, 26 January 2016 10:45 AM
To:
Intern
Subject:
Check articles for reliability and accuracy
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Hi,
Great work so far! I got a phone call from one of our clients today, concerned about how the decision about the Carmichael mine will affect the proposal. Two of the articles you sent seem to present very different arguments. Could you please take a closer look at them, and let me know why you think they came to different conclusions, specifically:
Can you identify who the authors are, where they’re from, and what their qualifications are? Do you think this affects how reliable and accurate the articles are?How recent are the articles?Do you think bias is present in the way the articles have been written?Are the claims they have made able to be verified (i.e. do they reference where they get their facts from)?Thanks, Lee
2. Critically evaluating information
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Lee - Consultant
How’s the research going? I’ve been working on a template for the report, and I’ve got sections on the history of tourism on the Great Barrier Reef, some marketing theory, consumer information and recent media coverage. Can you decide what references would fit best into each section of the report?
Click on each of the icons below to find out more about when to use the different formats
Books
Good for
Complex analysis and verifiable dataOverview of topic or conceptMay be considered 'established' knowledgeTypically referencedBut
Can be biased so still need evaluationGood for
Complex analysis and verifiable dataOften released on regular basis, therefore current information will include statistical informationBut
Can be biased so still need evaluationCan their references be followed up?Academic articles
Articles will be peer-reviewed and referencedGood for more current and detailed research and expert commentaryAre authored by experts in their fieldTrade or professional magazines
May have editorial biasMay discuss current trends or challenges effecting the industryMay include referencesGood for
Government reports and policy documentsGovernment support for industryGood source of relevant legislationYou need to be critical when assessing information found via a websiteGenerally, it's best to source information from websites ending in .gov or .eduSocial Media
Up to the minute, almost 'as it happens'May link to more reliable informationNot always accurate verifiableNot quality checkedNews Media
Provides basic contextual information and some analysisNews items approved and selected by editorsMay refer to reports, books, recent articlesCan contain bias
Information sources
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Articles
Websites
Media
Industry & Market Reports
You’ve sent off the list of references for each section of the report to Lee. The next day you receive an email from Lee asking you to evaluate the quality of your information. She wants to ensure your references are credible and will justify what is to be included in the report.
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Activity
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Note - some formats can be placed in multiple columns.
Download an accessible copy of the the activity and answers here(Opens in a new tab).
Lee wants help placing the information you’ve found into the appropriate sections of the report. In the activity on the next page, drag the format into the correct columns.
Activity Instructions
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See how you can apply the CRAAP test (Opens in a new tab) to evaluate the information you find. The CRAAP test is a checklist for evaluating information sources. It will help you identify the Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy and Purpose of the information.
Article 2
Carmichael coal mine: we want to stop it in its tracks (Opens in a new tab)
Activity
Have a look at these two articles, and draft your response to the questions she has raised.
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Article 1
Carmichael mine is a game-changer for Australian coal (Opens in a new tab)
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Q1. Can you identify who the authors are, where they’re from, and what their qualifications are? Do you think this affects how reliable and accurate the articles are?Q2. How recent are the articles?
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Q3. Do you think bias is present in the way articles have been written?Q4. Are the claims they have made able to be verified (i.e do they reference where they get their facts from)?
Your answers will be available to print at the end of the module. You must complete the module in one sitting.
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You can only enter between 5 - 420 characters in each answer box.
After you have answered the questions on each page, make sure you click the save button before moving on to the following page.
Bachelor of Commerce - Using Information
Start the module
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Essential Digital Literacy
Welcome to the Essential digital literacy Using information module. This module should take you approximately 30 minutes to complete. We hope you enjoy it.