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Finding information

Today there was another of many emails that we receive from students seeking information on a specific topic. Invariably they say that they haven’t been able to find much material on the issue and can we recommend some web site where they can find the details they need. There was a similar request on the ozmidwifery mailing list the other day.

More and more students seem to be relying on Internet searches for the references and background that they need for assignments and bypassing printed materials. I guess this reflects the modern generations’s comfort and familiarity with the Net and their belief that anything can be found on-line. Sometimes, this will work, but not always.

The student that contacted me today was looking for information on prenatal care for women in different cultures. I doubt that this would be found on a web site (but I could be wrong!), and if it was available, it may take much searching to find useful material. On the other hand, I was able to give her a list of several books on this subject and I suggested that she check her University Library.

Information on many of the social issues (as well as practical topics such as prenatal care) will not have been the subject of research that would enable it to find its way onto the Internet. People with these kinds of interests often write about their experiences and offer practical guidance, and this is best explored in a book format.

The way students study is certainly changing, however if they make their computers their primary oracles they may miss out on some valuable resources.

Posted by andrea at November 22, 2004 04:07 PM

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