Using Web Sites

Why Use Web Sites for Research?

Web sites can be very useful sources of information. Use Web sites for

background information
current information
images or multimedia information
information from special interest groups, associations and local and national organizations
international information
popular information
statistics
government information

TIP: Be careful when using Web sites for research. You may come across inaccurate and offensive information because anyone can publish on the Internet. Some information may appear authoritative or scholarly, but after critical evaluation it may be biased, or intended to sell or persuade.

What's The Difference Between Indexes and Search Engines?

Although you can search for information using the same techniques, the information you find on the web will generally be very different from the information you find when you use an index.

Journals

Selected by librarians and faculty
Can find high quality information
Generally selected journals undergo a review process before being printed

Web Sites

Open forum for anyone. You just need to have access to Web server
No editorial process.
Difficult to determine authorship/authority
Evaluation CRITICAL!!

Tip: You can locate a list of popular search engines from the library's web site. Try more than one search engine when doing research because you will not get the same results.

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