LibGuides: Education and Childhood Studies: Websites

Evaluating websites

Finding information on the internet is easy, but finding good quality and reliable information is trickier than you think. Take a look at our tips in this section on how to get the most out of searching online. Before you use any web resource in your assignment ask yourself “Is the web page as good as information you would find in a book or academic journal?”

Webpages can be set up by anyone, therefore before referencing a site check that the information is reliable and accurate.
Check:

Who wrote the information? Do they have relevant qualifications? Have they written other material on the subject? Do they have a bias?
When was the information published? Is it current enough for your needs?
Why was the page put on the web? Is it selling or promoting something? Is it biased?

Look for the clues in the URL

.com – a commercial company
.co.uk – a commercial UK company
.edu – a US academic institution
.ac.uk – a UK academic institution
.org – a non-profit organisation
.gov or .gov.uk – a US or UK government site

Education in Europe

Eurydice Publications
The Eurydice network provides information on education systems across Europe.

Mae rhwydwaith Eurydice yn rhoi gwybodaeth ar systemau addysg ledled Ewrop.
Eurydice Youth Wiki - Wales
This web-based platform provides a comprehensive database on national structures, policies and actions supporting young people. Its objectives are to promote European cooperation in the field of youth and to support evidence-based decision making.

NFER current awareness services

The National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) offers a selection of free email bulletins covering news and reports relating to national and international education policy and developments. You can sign up to the following bulletins:-

NFER Direct - a monthly newsletter which covers all NFER activities
NFER Direct for Schools - a monthly newsletter for schools and teachers

You can also follow NFER on Twitter: @TheNFER.

Find Data & Statistics

Office for National Statistics (ONS)

Welsh Government - Statistics
StatsWales
StatsWales is a free-to-use service that allows visitors to view, manipulate, create and download tables from the most detailed official data on Wales.
Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD)
InfoBase Cymru

UK Data Service

UK Data Service - Census Support
Provides a one stop gateway which gives access to the 1971, 1981, 1991, 2001 and 2011 UK census.

Statistics for Early Years

Y Porth

Y Porth
Y Porth yw’r prif lwyfan ar gyfer cyflwyno a rheoli darpariaeth cyfrwng Cymraeg i fyfyrwyr y Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. Yn ogystal â modiwlau prifysgol i fyfyrwyr y Coleg sy'n astudio cyrsiau gradd penodol, mae'r Porth hefyd yn cynnig man canolog ar gyfer adnoddau cefnogol mewn ystod eang o feysydd sydd wedi eu cyllido trwy gronfeydd prosiect y Coleg, ac mae nifer ohonynt yn fynediad agored i ddefnyddwyr y tu hwnt i'r sector addysg uwch.

Y Porth is the main platform for delivering and managing Welsh medium provision for the students of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. In addition to university modules for students on specific Welsh medium degree schemes, the Porth also offers an area to host educational resources in a wide range of subject areas funded through the Coleg’s project funds, many of which are open access and available to users beyond the higher education sector.

Evidence-based resources

Campbell Collaboration
The Campbell Collaboration is an international research network that produces systematic reviews in education, crime and justice and social welfare on the effects of social interventions. Search the Campbell Library database to gain access to titles, protocols, systematic reviews and user abstracts.

EPPI-Centre
A specialist centre for developing methods for systematic reviewing and the synthesis of research evidence. The centre’s work covers many areas of social policy including education, health, social care, developing economies, sport, environment and crime.
Great Teaching Toolkit
Includes link to the Great Teaching Toolkit Evidence Review, which uses existing research studies and frameworks to identify key areas for teachers to focus on to improve practice.

Finding legislation

Legislation.gov.uk

Legislation: Wales