Library Research Using the WWW (World Wide Web)

An Introduction

The Internet Vs. the Web

• The Internet is not the WWW

• The “net” is a network of computers linked together across the globe, through the use of telecommunications protocols (rules)

• Other Terms for the internet: cyberspace or Information Superhighway

Basic 4Functions of the Net

• Email

• Newsgroups, listservs etc.

• World Wide Web (WWW)

• File Transfers (FTP)

Our focus is on using the web for research

Critically Evaluating Websites

• Why bother?– Employers are looking for those who can use

the internet to solve problems, sell products, and do research

– Anyone can place information out on the web

Definitions

• Computer Literacy: being able to use a computer and computer software to complete tasks

• Information Literacy: to know when you need information and to know how to locate, evaluate and use that information to solve the problem at hand

• Technology Literacy: being able to use the internet to effectively access and communicate information

5 Steps of Website Evaluation

• Authority• Accuracy• Objectivity• Currency• Coverage

Authority

• Does the website have a clear owner?

• Are they qualified? – Is the person an expert in the field?– Look for Phd’s and associations

Check the bottom of the page for this information!

Examples

• http://www.oncolink.com/

This site is authoritative

• http://www.whitehouse.org/

This is a parody site it is not authoritative!

Accuracy

• Can this information be verified by other sources (articles, books)

• Are spelling, grammar accurate

• Are the facts consistent through out

• Do other appropriate websites link to this one?

Example

• www.exxon.com– This site is accurate (company’s main site)

• http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/Spring01/Hogue/exxon.html– Inaccurate site

Objectivity

• If the website doesn’t show a preference for one view point over another it is neutral or objective

• Look for author of site trying to sell you something and facts that seem to be missing

Examples

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Same-sex_marriage_in_the_United_States– Unbiased

• http://www.nogaymarriage.com/– biased

Is it Current??

• Is the website updated regularly?

• When was it created?• Be sure to check for

news articles and acknowledgement of visitors (counters)

Examples

• http://weddings.theknot.com/weddingdress/bs_main.aspx?gowntype=1– current

• http://www.weddinggowndress.com/– Out of date

Coverage

• What is the purpose of the site?

• How in depth is material on the site

Examples

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tigger– History about the character from AA Milne’s

Stories

• http://emeri0.tripod.com/tigger/– This page is for entertainment only

Connecting the Dots

• Domain suffixes – Usually found at the end of a URL or email

address– Used to identify a website category such as a

school or a business

Common Domain Suffixes

• .edu (used for USA educational sites• .gov (US government site)• .net (Internet administrative sites)• .int (international institutions)• .org (organization websites)• .mil (US military website)• .web (sites about the www)• .com (commercial sites)• .store (retail business)

Citing Web Pages

• MLAL.Douglas Wilder Library and Learning

Resource Center. Ed. VUU Library Webmaster. 16 Jun. 2006. Virginia Union

University. 19 Jun. 2006. <http://www.vuu.edu/library.htm.>