Essay: Strengths and weaknesses of research sources

Information literacy Skills.
There are many different sources that can be used, when carrying out an academic piece of work, such as public libraries, the internet or even purchasing books in a book shop. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages to the way they provide the information.
In psychology, looking at ‘Sigmund Freud (1856-1939)’. The first place to look could be the internet, a web site. Typing his name into google there are millions of hits all with his name. Using http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/freud_sigmund.shtml  (History, 2014) and looking at it, it is clear to see there are many advantages. One is it’s clear to read, all the information is easily accessible and understandable. It is illustrated to give us an understanding of how he looked and its clearly stating all the relevant information possibly needed to understand Freud and his theories. The information can be accessed whenever needed and as often as needed with complete relevance to the subject.
The disadvantages may be that the information is rather basic and to the point. There are no additional links to other pages, enabling further information to be found about him or his work. The large tabs across the top of the page may be quite distracted. Therefore, venturing off somewhere else. But all the information is available, and easily at your fingertips.
Another source of information that could possibly be used is a peer reviewed journal. This would enable a diverse view of opinions to be brought to the table, as well as allowing the writer some credit for the work he has carried out and the reader to make their own judgement on the subject. But as in this case, it is not always possible to find such a paper for the specific subject you are looking at, which can cause issues and not support what could be a very trusted and reliable source.
Now looking at the textbook ‘Psychology A2 for AQA A’. (cardwell, 2009) It is an extremely pleasing book to read, very colourful, lots of diagrams and pictures. The words are well paragraphed and has big, bold headings. Its easily accessed whenever wanted as was purchased from a store, also making the ease of access convenient. The disadvantage of this text book is that the contents is predominately regarding Freuds work, rather than the man he was or his general history. The way the book is set out is also a little difficult to understand but with the index available soon becomes easier.
If using a blog as a source of information there can be many disadvantages and advantages. Looking at http://freudsigmund.blogspot.co.uk/ (G, 2009) the entire page is solely about Freud the layout is very eye catching, easy to read and well in depth. The issue is the information posted on the blog is judgemental and only one person’s review of him and his work. Due to this it may mean not everybody is happy with the style the blogger uses to write with or even the opinion they have. It is of course very easily accessed as it is once again via the internet and readily available. It is purely information about the subject but may not all be correct as a text book may be.
Wikipedia, is an extremely easy tool to use. All the information is readily at the ends of the fingertips with copious amounts of subject content. But the information on Wikipedia cannot always be trusted. It can very easily be altered by the public to read whatever people want it to. Even though the information is readily available and provides relevant to the chosen subject. Many people would begrudge using the content in academic work.
“Sigmund Freud (/ˈfrɔɪd/ FROYD;[2] German: [ˈziːkmʊnt ˈfʁɔʏt]; born Sigismund Schlomo Freud; 6 May 1856 – 23 September 1939) was an Austrian neurologist and the founder of psychoanalysis, a clinical method for treating psychopathology through dialogue between a patient and a psychoanalyst.[3]” (Anon., 2016)
Wikipedia can also have its advantages in the fact that it may have some additional links on its website. That could take you to other pages with more relevant information on.
Overall all sources of information are good and bad sources of information, they have their strengths and weakness to what they offer. The source of information that will be chosen to be used will be what best suits to provide support for the claim being made in the text. Whether it be a web site, a peer reviewed journal, a textbook, Blogs or Wikipedia. If it is used in the correct way all information is valuable.