Web 2.0 and unconventional sources: paradigm shift for law student essays?

In his paper Michael Bromby (Glasgow Caledonian University) explored the use of Web 2.0 sources by law students in their essays.

Michael’s slides are embedded below.

Whilst there is an acknowledged increase in both reliable and unreliable sources available on the Internet, poor referencing and cavalier citations by students can wrongly suggest to academics and students alike that there is no merit in citing these often rich resources of information. Radia & Stapleton (2009) consider a paradigm shift where sites normally considered to be unconventional are not summarily dismissed as potential sources of information.

Michael considered whether such a shift can be observed in a law module at honours level, and indeed whether a shift should be welcomed for academia and the law curriculum in particular. Analysis focused on comparing summative written assignments with online seminar discussion board postings.

Radia P & Stapleton P (2009) Unconventional sources as a new convention: the shifting paradigm of undergraduate writing The Internet and Higher Education 12(3-4):156-164

Mick Sumpter (University of Northampton) reports:
A straw poll of the audience indicated that virtually all of those present had noticed a significant increase in the use of non-conventional sources in student work.

We should resist the temptation automatically to dismiss sources as blogs and the like, and need to appreciate that they may constitute valuable source material. Examples were given of blogs written by authoritative and well known academics which were extremely pertinent and current, often constituting the first reaction to a recently decided case, and which merited recognition as good authority.

Academics are now in an environment in which traditional assumptions as to what constitutes good authority are changing – we need to recognise this and respond accordingly.

About Michael

Michael Bromby is a reader in Law at Glasgow Caledonian University, and also acts as a consultant to UKCLE. His research interests include technology, forensics, medical law and legal education. He is particularly interested in how new technologies (such as Web 2.0) can be used by both students and professionals.