Finding Information and Quality Control (Grade 11 NSC Matric Computer Application Technology): Revision Notes
Finding Information and Quality Control
Introduction to information gathering
When working on research projects or Practical Assessment Tasks (PATs), you need to gather reliable and accurate information from various sources. This process involves two key stages: first, collecting information using appropriate tools, and second, evaluating the quality of that information to ensure it's trustworthy and relevant to your needs.
Information-gathering tools
After defining your research task, you must gather data and information from different sources to better understand your investigation topic. There are three main categories of information-gathering tools available to you:
Electronic sources
The internet is your most accessible electronic source, providing instant access to vast amounts of information. However, remember that not all online information is reliable, so you'll need to evaluate what you find carefully.
While the internet offers unparalleled accessibility and breadth of information, this convenience comes with the responsibility of careful evaluation. The ease of publishing online means that information quality can vary dramatically from one source to another.
Printed media
Traditional sources like books, newspapers, magazines, and academic journals remain valuable resources. These sources often go through editorial processes that can make them more reliable than some online content.
Surveys and questionnaires
These primary research tools allow you to gather specific information directly from people. You can create custom questions to obtain data that's particularly relevant to your research topic.
When planning your research approach, consider which combination of these tools will best serve your specific needs. For example, you might use internet sources for background information, printed media for authoritative references, and surveys to gather original data from your target audience.
Quality control of information
A significant challenge when researching online is that most content on the World Wide Web is user-generated. This means information is created by people of varying ages, educational backgrounds, and levels of expertise. When using the internet for your PAT research, you must carefully evaluate the information you find to ensure it's reliable and accurate.
Understanding question types for data gathering
When gathering information, you can use two main types of questions to guide your research:
Understanding the difference between question types is crucial for effective research planning. Each type serves different purposes and yields different kinds of information that can support your research goals.
Closed-ended questions
These questions offer a limited set of possible answers, such as "yes," "no," or multiple-choice options like "A," "B," or "C." For example, "Are amoebas single-celled organisms?" has a specific answer, though not everyone may know it.
Closed-ended questions work best in the early stages of data gathering when you're trying to find as much topic-related information as possible. They're particularly useful for surveys when respondents don't have time for lengthy responses, as they bring conversations to a quick conclusion.
Open-ended questions
These questions require more complex, detailed answers and allow for deeper exploration of topics. They help you examine, explore, query, adjust, predict, and make judgements about your research subject.
Open-ended questions are valuable for refining your data and ensuring that your findings help complete your task effectively. They provide richer information than closed-ended questions and allow you to discover unexpected insights.
Tips for asking effective research questions
Practical Guidelines for Better Research Questions
To gather the best information for your research, follow these practical guidelines:
- Start with question words: Begin open questions with "how" or question words starting with "w" - "what," "where," "when," "which," or "who"
- Avoid limiting responses: Try not to use "why" questions, as people tend to create explanations even when they don't have solid reasoning
- Encourage storytelling: Instead of seeking one or two-word answers, prompt people to share detailed information by saying "please tell me more about that"
- Use proper question structure: Don't start with "was" or forms of "to be" and "to do" verbs
- Follow up closed questions: If you must ask a closed-ended question, follow it with an open-ended one like "what else can you tell me about it?"
- Provide "other" options: In multiple-choice questions, include an "other" option to capture responses you might not have anticipated
Evaluating websites
When conducting online research, you must evaluate the quality of websites you visit. Not all websites are created equally, and many contain misleading or false information. Here are key questions to ask about any website you're considering as a source:
Critical Website Evaluation Checklist
Before using any website as a source, systematically evaluate it across these key areas. Poor performance in any of these categories should raise red flags about the site's reliability.
Authority and credibility
- Who supports this website? Look for information about the organisation or individual behind the site
- Who is the target audience? Ensure the content is appropriate for your research level
- Who is the author and what are their credentials? Research the author's qualifications and expertise in the subject area
- What does the web address tell you? Domain names like .ac (academic), .gov (government), or .org (organisation) can indicate more credible sources
Content quality and organisation
- How is the content organised? Well-structured sites with clear navigation suggest more reliable information
- Do all links work? Broken links often indicate poorly maintained or outdated websites
- What is the grammar and spelling like? Sites filled with errors may not be authoritative sources
- How easy is it to navigate? Professional, well-designed sites often contain higher-quality information
- Is the content objective? Look for balanced information rather than heavily biassed content
Design and functionality
- Is the design pleasing and professional? While not definitive, poor design can indicate lower-quality content
- How quickly does the site load? Slow-loading sites may be poorly designed or maintained
Warning About Malicious Websites
Be particularly cautious of websites that might contain malicious software such as viruses, spyware, or malware. These sites not only provide unreliable information but could also harm your computer. If a website seems suspicious, has excessive pop-ups, or requests unusual permissions, navigate away immediately.
Evaluating information quality
Since the internet allows anyone to upload information or make claims, you must carefully examine the information you use for your research. Consider the source and try to identify who might benefit from spreading particular types of information online.
There are five key factors that determine information quality, which you can remember using the acronym "AACOR":
AACOR Framework for Information Quality
Authority: Who created the information? Research the credentials of people providing information, as authority indicates that information is likely to be accurate.
Accuracy: How complete is the information? Compare it with information from other sources. When facts match across multiple reliable sources, you can be more confident in accuracy.
Currency: How current is the information? More up-to-date information tends to be more accurate and relevant. Information from the last ten years is generally considered current.
Objectivity: Does the author present information objectively? Be wary of sponsored content that may be biassed towards making a product or service appear favourable.
Relevance: How well does the information cover your research topic? Seek information that addresses about 80% of your research questions.
Authority
This refers to who created the information. If a video wasn't created by someone with relevant knowledge in the field, the information might not be the best available. Always research the credentials of people providing information, as authority indicates that information is likely to be accurate.
Accuracy
Examine how complete the information is and compare it with information from other sources. When facts match across multiple reliable sources, you can be more confident in the information's accuracy. Always check the sources that back up any facts you encounter.
Currency
Consider how current the information is. More up-to-date information tends to be more accurate and relevant. A technology blog from 2010 will be less relevant and accurate for current research than one from 2017. Information from the last ten years is generally considered current.
Objectivity
Ensure the author presents information objectively rather than being heavily biassed. Be particularly wary of sponsored content (long-form advertisements) that may be biassed towards making a product or service appear favourable. Look for information that presents multiple viewpoints fairly.
Relevance
Assess how well the information covers the topic you're researching. If information only covers a small portion of your topic, it may not be the best source to use. Seek information that addresses about 80% of your research questions.
Choosing reliable sources
When possible, prioritise websites supported by or linked to established institutions such as:
- Government agencies
- Non-profit organisations
- Educational institutions
- Reputable news organisations
Remember that objective sites present information with minimal bias, providing you with more reliable data for your research projects.
Key Points to Remember
- Use multiple information-gathering tools: Combine internet sources, printed media, and surveys/questionnaires for comprehensive research
- Understand question types: Use closed-ended questions for quick data gathering and open-ended questions for detailed exploration
- Evaluate websites systematically: Check authority, content quality, design, and functionality before using information from any site
- Apply the AACOR criteria: Always assess Authority, Accuracy, Currency, Objectivity, and Relevance when evaluating information quality
- Be cautious of bias: Look for objective sources and be wary of sponsored content or heavily biassed information