Searching the Web

Internet Research Strategies

• Use search engines to your advantage

  Focus beforehand. Catalog (Yahoo) vs. search engine (Google) vs. metasearch (Dogpile). Specific search engines. Locating and ordering. Set a time limit! Be careful what you download!!

• Identify web sites

  Kind of page. Who is the author/creator of the site? What is the authority/expertise of the individual or group? What else comes up when you type the author’s name into a search engine? What is the purpose of the site? Look for FAQ. Who is the audience of the site? Can you purchase products at this site?

• Search for credibility

  Is the site affiliated with a business or university? Does the site offer idiosyncratic information about a particular person or group? Does the source have a political or business agenda? Is the site sponsored by a political or business group? If so, what can you find out about that group? Does the page provide a list of source or a works cited page? Can you locate any of the source material? How reliable is this material? Are their links to other credible sites with additional information? Does the site provide a link for emailing the author or webmaster?

• Determine depth/scope of information

  Does the material show signs or research, such as references to other sources, hyperlinks, footnotes, or a reference page? Does the author consider opposing points of view? How closely does the site really match the information for which you are search? Corroborate information wherever possible.

• Assess date of information

  Can you locate a date on the web page? Does the site clearly state a date of creation or a date for the most recent update? More importantly, does the information cover recent changes or advances in the field or topic you are researching?