Form for evaluating reference tools of use to journalists. (Microsoft Word format)

If needed, use the reverse side or a second sheet for each of the 40 sources you'll be evaluating for your research notebook -- (a small three-ring binder with 1/2 - 1 inch spine will do, nothing fancy). When applicable, photo copy a sample entry from a source, then either tape it to the back of your evaluation form or include it in your notebook immediately following the evaluation page.

Completed forms from members of the class appear below: 

Caution: The images below are huge even after reducing each scanned jpg to "low quality" in PhotoShop Elements 2. To view, first download an image file (R-mouse click an image link, then L-mouse click "Save target as" to save the file to your hard drive. Be sure to indicate the location of your choice in the pop-up window.), open it, then set your photo viewing software to about eight percent. When I get a chance, I'll work on these again to try to further reduce their size in an effort to make them viewable directly from the Web. If any of you have an idea of how this can be accomplished, let me know!

Form example 1: image a and image b (jpg format)

Note: The student who created Example 1 took advantage of the electronic form posted on this Web site in Word format and created a totally typed version for the notebook assignment.

Form example 2: image a, image b, image c and image d (jpg format)

Tip: The student who created Example 2 also used photocopies when evaluating another encyclopedia source. Visuals make it easy to compare the two and these will come in very handy in the future as reminders when the student is seeking the best reference source to use for a news report.

More examples will be posted here from time-to-time so check back often.

Inventory of tools for your reference notebooks

The first five were done for a preliminary grade. Here are the next 35 you have been doing at your own speed for a final total of 40 tools:

Electronic lecture notes

Lecture notes for Monday, Sept. 19, 2005; revised (Microsoft Word format)

Lecture notes for Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2005; revised (Microsoft Word format)

Lecture notes VISUAL for Chapter 10, Monday, Oct. 3, 2005; (jpg format)

Note: Download the above jpg before trying to open it. In your photo application, you may need to resize it up or down to read the content. If you wish to print the image, the drawing was made on 8-1/2 X 14 (legal-size) paper.

Now, make your own visual for Chapter 11 in "Behind the Message: Evaluating and selecting the information you've gathered." Pay particular note to the methods proposed for accomplishing these tasks. Be prepared to share your visuals next Monday, Oct. 10 in class.

Note: If you have trouble accessing any file on this page and you are a student in my course, e-mail me.