Research

Research

What makes real news real?

What makes real news real?

, Research
  Fake news is the buzzword of the hour. Countless articles and online tools (including my own Fake News LibGuide) have touched upon the subject, offering how-tos, tips, tricks and motivation to get your patrons to understand what makes fake news fake. Conversely, however, another question needs to be answered: what makes real news real? With so much attention on rumors and conspiracy, many patrons don’t know what sources to trust anymore. Has their nightly news anchor told them lies all this time? Does their daily newspaper cover up the facts? Real news is characterized by the following factors: 1 – It reports facts in a clear, mostly nonbiased manner. With the rise in highly partisan news sources, the line … Continued
Separating fact from non-fact

Separating fact from non-fact

, , Research
The buzzwords are legion: Fake news, alternative facts, falsehoods. In the last three months, all these terms have been printed in newspapers, flashed on screens and rehashed on television on a nearly daily basis. It’s difficult to discern reliable data from opinion or lies these days. While there is no single sure-fire method for telling fact from non-fact, here are some tools to help you sort through the news today. Know your news First, it would help to know more about different kinds of inauthentic news sources. Fake news: While it’s simple to say that fake news is simply news that isn’t real, the truth is more complicated than that. According to media scientist Melissa Zimdars, fake news falls under … Continued
Credit Where Credit Is Due

Credit Where Credit Is Due

, Matt Dilworth, Research
Most assignments that involve research also involve citation. Chances are, you’ve written papers that required a bibliography. This isn’t an empty exercise – this serves a very important purpose. Citation helps place your words and ideas in the continuum of academic thought – by writing, you are joining a conversation with other authors. Citing your sources makes clear who you are responding to. It also helps your own readers follow your train of thought, so they understand where and how you developed your ideas (that’s one reason why interviews or other intangibles are cited in-text but rarely in the reference list – no one who reads your paper would be able to double check something like an interview). And it … Continued
On the Lookout for Fake News

On the Lookout for Fake News

, , Library Resources, Research
Did you hear that taurine can reverse the effects of tinnitus? Or that a man named Tom Ogle invented a carburetor that runs entirely on fuel vapors? Maybe you did, but hopefully you didn’t believe those stories – because they’re not true. Fake news is legion these days. According to Merrimack College professor Melissa Zimdars, fake news comes in one of four categories: 1 – Completely false news, with no factual basis 2 – News that is misleading or inaccurate 3 – News stories with attention grabbing headlines that may not have anything to do with their article’s content 4 – Satirical sites, whose content is meant to invoke humor And it’s not always easy to tell fake news from … Continued
Crunch Time

Crunch Time

, Library Resources, Matt Dilworth, Research
So we’ve reached it at last – final exams time! Possibly the most stressful time of year for a student. You might be wondering how you can complete every paper, project, and presentation on your shoulders – particularly if you haven’t started your research yet. Well, the library’s here to help you keep your sanity, and get your resources quickly and efficiently. While it would have been better to start earlier, you’ll be glad to know that there are several things you can do to make this process easier, even at the last minute. You just have to focus on the most fruitful strategies and sources. First, don’t bite off more than you can chew. If you haven’t already picked … Continued