Bonafide or Bogus?
Ensuring the legitimacy of web resources is critical to successful research. Follow these tips to determine a site's trusthworthiness:
1. Determine the author of the site. Look for an "About" section with information on the site's parent organization; if there is no "About," carefully examine the homepage, paying particular attention to the bottom margin for any names or clues. If a provided name (whether of an individual, organization, or institution) is unfamiliar, take the extra minute to Google the name and see what you can find!
2. Pay attention to tone and content: is the information provided fact, opinion, or propaganda?
3. For site content presented as fact, does the author provide sources/references for verification?
4. Check for timeliness. When was the site last update? Are links live and current?
5. Always ask yourself, "Why should I believe this site?"
Broad and Basic: Searching Reference Materials
Reference materials (encyclopedias, atlases, almanacs-- you get the picture) are a great way to both get the basics on your topic AND situate it within a broader context. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
- Credo ReferenceSearch hundreds of reference sources simultaneously. Use the narrowing tool on the side to winnow down the possibilities-- the "Subject" feature is particularly useful.
- Gale Virtual Reference LibraryBrowse by subject area or search this entire, vast collection of reference sources.
- ALL THE SOURCESGuys, the library is cuckoo for reference sources, and you should be, too. Check out all the options here! Pro tip: get your angle from Credo or Gale, then go deep into the subject-specific sources (bonus points for alliteration).
Broad and Basic: Searching Databases
Sometimes the best way to hone your topic is to start a broad search in a general database and see where the results lead you-- with the help of the faithful narrowing tools, natch. Check out these general databases when starting your research:
- Academic Search CompleteYou guys should know this one by now. Don't forget to use the subject heading links to follow the trail!
- CQ ResearcherMore UGL quoting: "A reference tool/magazine that gives overviews of major paper topics like abortion, gun control, steroids in sports, etc. Includes articles and lists of other resources, as well as Pro and Con sides for most topics."
- Pop Culture UniverseWith one more quote, because, why not? "Information on American and world popular culture, past and present - new technology (iPods, gaming, gadgets)...Internet memes and chatspeak...movies, TV, radio...music...comics and graphic novels...sports and pastimes...fads, fashion, fast food and much more."
- OJD, You Know MeReady to get serious? Find journals and article databases by subject here. This is it-- don't get scared now.
