Research Guides: Community Support Worker: Websites

STAR Test

A good assignment starts with quality information. You can evaluate the resources you find online using the STAR test, which evaluates websites on the following:

Source

Who is the author?
Who is making the information available?
What are their credentials or qualifications?
What makes them an authority on this subject?
Is the source biased or expressing opinion or trying to sell something?
Choose sources that are credible and relatively objective.

Time

When was the information published or last updated?
Does the date of publication matter to your assignment?
- For example, if you are working on a current event, or a science or health topic, you will need something that has been published recently.
If you are working on a historical topic, currency may not be as important.

Accuracy

Is the information free of spelling, grammatical and technical errors?
Where did the information come from?
Look for information or references that can be verified.

Relevance

Is the information free of spelling, grammatical and technical errors?
Where did the information come from?
Look for information or references that can be verified.

Grey Literature Sources

Grey literature is not always easy to find but the extra work you put into finding quality information will show in your completed project.

In addition to the websites listed, here are a handful of places to look for Grey Literature:

Key Websites

Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW)
Web site for the association which is the regulatory body for the practice of social work in Alberta, containing legislation, services, publications, and resources. Under the subheading Practice is found the CASW Code of Ethics.
Align: Association of Community Services
A community of agencies that represent the diverse needs of Alberta's children and families.
Alberta Human Services
Program and services information.
Canadian Council on Social Development
A not-for-profit organization that partners with all sectors and communities to help solve social challenges.
Edmonton Social Planning Council
An independent, non-profit, non-partisan social research organization, with registered charitable status with a focus on research, particularly in the areas of low income and poverty.
What Works: Career–Building Strategies for People from Diverse Groups: A Counsellor Resource
History, Aboriginal lifestyles, Aboriginal identity, Aboriginal community, communicating with Aboriginal clients, connecting with Aboriginal traditions, helping Aboriginal clients with career planning, helping Aboriginal clients with education, and more.
Crisis Intervention
From the Alberta Council of Disability Services.

Indigenous Community & Culture

Indigenous organizations and service directory - Government of Alberta
A directory that contains information for First Nations, Metis settlements, and service organizations involved with economic development, employment, Friendship Centres, and Social Services.
Metis Nation of Alberta
History, genealogy and other information is contained on this web site of Metis culture and history.
Native Counselling Services of Alberta
Native Counselling Services of Alberta (NCSA) is an Aboriginal organization that assists Aboriginal people in conflict with the law, children services or corrections. NCSA is committed to healing and reconciliation through legal education, research, training and communication.
First Nations Drum
Canada's largest First Nations newspaper, with links to information on news, business, sports, art, and education.

Law & Justice Websites

Canada’s System of Justice
Published by the Department of Justice Canada
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Online text of the Charter.
Youth Criminal Justice Act Summary and Background
Provided by the Department of Justice Canada.
Restorative Justice in Canada: What Victims Should Know
Prepared by the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime, this document covers principles, overview, types, young offenders, victims rights, limitations and more.

Indigenous Law & Justice

Brief Introduction to Aboriginal Law in Canada
A brief historical overview written by a Lawyer.

Family Violence

Stop Family Violence
A collaboration of 15 different federal agencies that provides a one-stop source of information on family violence.

Persons with Disabilities

Government of Canada Disability Benefits
Hub for sources of disability-related benefit and assistance information.
Resources for People with Disabilities - City of Edmonton
Comprehensive list of links to organizations in the Edmonton area, Alberta, and Canada wide.
Council of Canadians with Disabilities
CCD is a national human rights organization of people with disabilities working for an accessible and inclusive Canada.
Inclusion Alberta
Inclusion Alberta is a family-based non-profit federation that advocates on behalf of children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families.

Cultural Diversity & Inclusion

Canadian Race Relations Foundation
The Foundation, whose mission is to ensure equality among races in Canada, contains fact sheets on race issues, updates on race relations news in Canada, and a section where youth talk about their personal experiences of racism.
The Diversity Toolkit - University of Calgary
This site is part of a funded project to assist teachers, students, scholars or any activists who wish to promote equity and the acceptance of differences within schools and communities.

Older Adults

Central Lions Seniors Association (central Edmonton)
Connecting Edmonton Seniors
Edmonton Seniors Centre
Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council
"We bring people, ideas, and information together to build collaborative approaches to services, supports and circumstances affecting older adults."
Elder Law Program - Edmonton Community Legal Centre
For Seniors - City of Edmonton
Links to supports for seniors/older adults within the city.
Mill Woods Seniors Association (southeast Edmonton)
North Edmonton Seniors Association
Resources to help seniors age in their community - Government of Alberta
SAGE Seniors Association - Edmonton
Seniors - Strathcona County
Southwest Edmonton Seniors Association - Resources
Support Services for Seniors - City of Edmonton
Westend Seniors Activity Centre (west Edmonton)
Seniors Centres - City of Edmonton
Locations of activity centres that serve seniors in Edmonton.
Southeast Edmonton Seniors Association
Seniors Centres of the Future - City of Edmonton
A report from March 2017 outlining research done regarding how seniors centres should adapt in the future to the changing needs of seniors.

NorQuest College Library

NorQuest College Library

Community Support Worker

STAR Test

Source

Time

Accuracy

Relevance

Grey Literature Sources

Key Websites

Indigenous Community & Culture

Law & Justice Websites

Indigenous Law & Justice

Family Violence

Persons with Disabilities

Persons with Disabilities

Cultural Diversity & Inclusion

Cultural Diversity & Inclusion