Pam BuzzettaIn the age of the Internet, many students tend to veer away from traditional printed sources of information, preferring instead to use easy-to-access Web pages.
Jill Hampton, assistant dean for writing programs in the College of Arts and Sciences, said many students generally favor online sources.
“Students definitely have a preference for Internet sources, especially those less experienced in research.”
Freshman Rebecca Emshwiller said, “I usually look online first because it’s easier to find information.”
Consequently, professors across campus have instated their own guidelines in the use of Internet sources, as opposed to print sources, for research.
Andrew Mertha, professor of political science and international studies “tries to dissuade” his students from the Internet for researching their papers, in part because he’s concerned by inaccuracy of material that can be found on the Web. Sometimes he questions whether students can judge the accuracy of information on the Net.
“There is not much of a vetting process for information on the Web,” Mertha said. “I’m not sure that students are able to evaluate the material.”
Hampton agreed and said, “It’s a flea market, and you have to get through a lot of things that aren’t very reliable.”
Another concern for instructors is that many students tend to rely solely on Internet sources, which often means that they don’t exhaust all the possible options.
“Using the Internet often means that students don’t look at all the sources available to them,” Mertha said.
In order to encourage students to do the legwork that he associates with research, Mertha insists that his students use printed material for the vast majority of their sources. He does concede, however, that some sites are legitimate in their information and can be useful in researching.
“In some cases, such as undertaking basic descriptive statistical research from a reputable site like the United Nations site, the Internet is a good way to get that information,” he said.
A recent study on this matter was conducted by Outsell, a research company that analyzes trends in the information-content industry. Leigh Watson Healy, a vice president for Outsell, suggests that about 75 percent of students tend get information first from Internet sources first, then consult a librarian or professor for help on the research, and turn to print sources as a last resort for research material.
This trend resonates with some Washington University students.
Freshman Paul Caudill states, “I usually try to track down some ideas on the Internet, and then use books to get more information.”
But as some students become more experienced in research techniques, they tend to use printed material more often as a primary source of information.
Junior Nolan Johnson said before he turns to the Web in researching for a paper or project, he makes an effort to locate reputable print sources.
“If it’s possible, I try and find printed material when researching,” he said.
Many incoming students notice that some professors are much more stringent about the types of sources that they are allowed to use.
“Some professors here are more definite about what sources you can use than high school teachers,” Caudill said.
This often leaves new and inexperienced students at a loss as to where they can find the necessary information for their project. Many are not familiar with using the large number of research options at a library, and often end up with lower quality material.
“In some cases, students who delay in getting books are stuck with fewer choices,” Mertha said.
To help students new to the process of researching, Olin Library offers a number of classes on using the library’s facilities to sort through information. The university as a whole is also taking steps to help students deal with the vast amount of unsifted information that is on the internet.
In addition to the options available at Olin Library, the English department is restructuring it’s current curriculum to teach students about the process of researching.
“The focus of the new E-Comp curriculum is to teach students information literacy,” said Hampton. “We want to make them able to determine if a source is legitimate or not.”