The Truth Of The Internet
- 1. The Truth of the Internet An introduction to web-based research
- 2. Why not use these websites? Web sites can be created by anyone, even governments www.dhmo.org www.mcwhortle.com created by the SEC Obvious bias will distort data, like this: http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=8d6476c3d2b6ae0042a8
- 3. Validate Sources Use www.easywhois.com Identify bias and POV If the same information can be found on at least 4 other valid data sources, then your new find is likely to be accurate. Use a published, edited source like a …book!
- 4. Wikipedia – Friend or Foe? Why not use wikipedia? Vandalism http://www.wikipedia-watch.org/vandals.html Unknown editors “ To critics of Wikipedia--which, in a spin on the open-source model, lets anyone create and edit entries--the news was further proof that the service has no accountability and no place in the world of serious information gathering.” ( Growing Pains for Wikipedia , cnet news, http://www.news.com/Growing-pains-for-Wikipedia/2100-1025_3-5981119.html , accessed January 15, 2008) Defamation of character: Political aide of Robert Kennedy was accused of plotting the assassination was actually false See quote
- 5. Cite all sources What must be cited? All photos, articles, journals, blogs, wikis Use www.noodletools.com for MLA citation At least do the minimum, Name of article/webpage, URL, date accessed
- 6. So now what? What web sources can I use in research? Consolidated Databases Verifiable websites Online news sources Online web journals (medical, science, etc) ALL government websites (.gov)
- 7. Search Engines www.clusty.com will cluster results for easier information processing www.grokker.com will navigate and locate the best resources on the web and categorize hits
- 8. Use these tricks… Identify keywords in your topic before heading to the Internet Add quotes around your keyword(s) search Use host:edu, host:gov commands to narrow hits to those of the edu and gov domains