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  • user warning: Table 'questioningauthority.cache_filter' doesn't exist query: UPDATE cache_filter SET data = '<p>from Jessica Keyser (WSU):</p>\n<p>Annette Healy, Monique Andrews and Rhonda McGinnis of Wayne State University presented some interesting trends in reference services in the academic setting. Andrews discussed the authority of government documents as many agencies are transitioning from print to online formats. She showed examples of authenticated PDFs that are digitally signed with validation icons. The authenticated PDF is one solution to the problem of questionable authority in web-based documents. </p>\n<p>Healy discussed sources of consumer health information found online, and the emerging use of Web 2.0 technologies to distribute health information. Many patients are using social networking sites to form online support groups that provide anonymity, inclusion, and connections that transcend geographic boundaries. The Centers for Disease Control is actually now using Second Life to disseminate public health information. With the huge increase of available health information, librarians are needed to assist users in finding quality resources. </p>\n<p>McGinnis talked about the library instruction sessions WSU librarians provide for undergraduate students on finding and evaluating consumer research and user opinions online. The authority of user reviews on sites such as Amazon, C-Net, Google Product Search and e-pinions is questioned. According to a recent Pew study, many internet users rely upon other users’ reviews when making decisions. These sources tend to make librarians uncomfortable, as there is no control over the content of the reviews. However, McGinnis encourages us to consider these popular sources while also educating our users about more “authoritative” sources like Consumer Reports, ProQuest and Gale General One File.</p>\n', created = 1227453160, expire = 1227539560, headers = '' WHERE cid = '1:f3380cc1e1b8a0189742036a5e3fe7b6' in /home/.mars/qa_adm/www.questioningauthority.org/conference/includes/database.mysql.inc on line 172.
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  • user warning: Table 'questioningauthority.cache_filter' doesn't exist query: UPDATE cache_filter SET data = '<p><a href=\"/conference/about\">About the Conference</a></p>\n<p><a href=\"/conference/call_for_papers\">Call for Papers and Posters</a></p>\n<p><a href=\"/conference/registration\">Registration</a></p>\n<p><a href=\"/conference/proceedings\">Conference Proceedings</a></p>\n<p><a href=\"/conference/blog\">Conference Blog</a></p>\n<p><a href=\"/conference/accommodations\">Accommodations</a></p>\n<p><a href=\"/conference/travel\">Travel</a></p>\n<p><a href=\"/conference/entertainment\">Entertainment</a></p>\n<p><a href=\"/conference/thankyou\">Thank You</a></p>\n<p><a href=\"/conference/sponsors\">Conference Sponsors</a></p>\n<p><a href=\"/conference/contact\">Contact Information</a></p>\n<p><a href=\"/conference/aboutus\">About Us</a></p>\n', created = 1227453160, expire = 1227539560, headers = '' WHERE cid = '3:136a02147d0aa27fd3367e44f5fe7a99' in /home/.mars/qa_adm/www.questioningauthority.org/conference/includes/database.mysql.inc on line 172.

Wayne State University Professional Panel: Digital Authority in the Academic Library

Posted by Jen on March 31, 2008 - 8:50am

from Jessica Keyser (WSU):

Annette Healy, Monique Andrews and Rhonda McGinnis of Wayne State University presented some interesting trends in reference services in the academic setting. Andrews discussed the authority of government documents as many agencies are transitioning from print to online formats. She showed examples of authenticated PDFs that are digitally signed with validation icons. The authenticated PDF is one solution to the problem of questionable authority in web-based documents.

Healy discussed sources of consumer health information found online, and the emerging use of Web 2.0 technologies to distribute health information. Many patients are using social networking sites to form online support groups that provide anonymity, inclusion, and connections that transcend geographic boundaries. The Centers for Disease Control is actually now using Second Life to disseminate public health information. With the huge increase of available health information, librarians are needed to assist users in finding quality resources.

McGinnis talked about the library instruction sessions WSU librarians provide for undergraduate students on finding and evaluating consumer research and user opinions online. The authority of user reviews on sites such as Amazon, C-Net, Google Product Search and e-pinions is questioned. According to a recent Pew study, many internet users rely upon other users’ reviews when making decisions. These sources tend to make librarians uncomfortable, as there is no control over the content of the reviews. However, McGinnis encourages us to consider these popular sources while also educating our users about more “authoritative” sources like Consumer Reports, ProQuest and Gale General One File.