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Critical analysis and evaluation occur concurrently when researching. It is vital to be critically literate in this time of information overload offered to us via the world wide web. Being able to apply this essential literacy competency empowers learners to not only interpret the text and make meaning, but to become confident, connected, actively involved, lifelong learners who are capable of reaching their God given potential. The expert search strategies employed a variety of approaches in order to source relevant information that has been cited in my annotated bibliography. These expert search strategies share common terminology and related terms as they were associated to my inquiry. One vital learning disposition is the use of critical information skills. In order to evaluate the diverse nature of sources located I decided to utilise the CARS Checklist (Credibility, Accuracy Reasonableness and Support) to ensure information quality.
The CARS Checklist has been a very useful tool for me to use and the availability of posters in PDF form will be even more useful for point of intervention use in the classroom. However as my ILA is focusing on middle primary I will also consider Kathy Schrock’s checklist – The 5 W’s of Web Site Evaluation.
Information Analysis identifies where articles, books, abstracts and readings were obtained from and how I was able to critically analyse and evaluate the information within them.
AUTHOR (SEARCH TOOL USED) |
CREDIBILITY |
ACCURACY |
REASONABLENESS |
SUPPORT |
| Stephenson(Google) | Author links to current twitter account | Quote on website 2007 with blog last updated in February 2012 | Passionate about Inquiry Learning and links with Galileo Network and 8 Inquiry Principles | No sources listed |
| FitzGerald(Google and Google Scholar) | Sponsored by SLAQ and IASL and even more credible due to being Head TL at Loreto Sydney | Information published in 2011 and copy written by authors | Purpose for article is to report on impact of Guided Inquiry and the how the SLIM toolkit was used | Sources are highly relevant leaders of GI (CISSL, Kuhlthau and Todd) |
| Colburn(Google Scholar) | No information about the author | 2000 and a professor 13 years ago | Practical and truthful narrative of difficulties behind GI | 5 other professional links are available but dated 1964-1996 |
| Wolf(Google Scholar via QUT via Informit) | Author is a respected by Australasian Science Education Research Association | Published in 2008 and is copy written in 2007 | Seems to read reasonably well but is verbose and discusses gender and equity | Over 40 references made well researched |
| Green(A+ Education) | Clear author biography and whole abstract are listed | Published in 2012 and discusses current inquiry trends in IB | Author has a bias toward the IB program and the Middle Years Program model of inquiry | 4 current sources from 2005-2008 |
| McLean(A+ Education) | Professional links with SCAN as a TL gives credibility | Published in SCAN in 2011 | Author supports Kuhlthau’s ISP model giving this added reasonableness | 29 sources listed with many |
| Purnell & Harrison (A= Education) |
Published by Geographic Education giving authority to inquiry in this area of the Curriculum | Published in 2011 in its complete entirety and has been copy written | Purpose is to lift critical inquiry in Geography and Science using a backward map design | CQ University Australia with 21 sources and current experts are listed |
| Sheerman(A+ Education) | Professional links with SCAN as a Head of Information Services gives credibility | Published in SCAN in 2011 available as a complete article on this data base | Author supports action research cycle and the use of ISP and SLIM in this article giving a truthful explanation of the action research | 18 sources are listed with reference to FitzGerald, Hay & Todd, Todd and Kuhlthau |
| Hunsburger(ProQuest) | University of Toronto with full abstract and doctorate | Published in 2008 and is a complete document of 256 pages | Truthful recount of teaching experience but unreasonable to consider due to the size | Many sources are listed as to be expected in a doctorate |
| Kuhlthau & Maniotes(ProQuest) | Professional links with School Library Monthly make this resource credible as does their names | Complete article published in 2010 | Truthful explanation of GI process and the role of the ISP make outstanding connections for educational purposes | 3 references cited are all Kuhlthau connected |
| Pellegrino(ProQuest) | Abstract only | Published in 2008 | Review of Kuhlthau’s book | No sources are made |
| Rusche & Jason(ProQuest) | Associated with American Sociologists has clear contact details and full abstract | Published in 2011 | Is a truthful recount of inquiry process and importance of questioning | Appendix of 47 sources but none are known but sources can be located when checked |
