Students’ Guide to Web Search
Sure, the Internet is filled with cool sites like MySpace and YouTube, and lots of sites overflowing with information and help for homework assignments. But how do you know if a Web site is a good one? How do you know if the information it contains is truly reliable? The Students' Guide to Web Search helps you learn how to tell a good site from a garbage site, and shows you how to start searching smart.
Expand All Guide SectionsHow Search Engines Work
Using search engines such as Google or Yahoo is one of the fastest ways to find information on the ... read more »
Using Search Engines to Get Better Search Results
Did you know there are lots of ways to make search engines find better results? There are even ... read more »
Evaluating Web Sites
Search engines can’t tell whether a site has reliable or credible information. Even search results from specialized search engines created especially for young adults still need to be evaluated to make sure that the results are worthwhile. That’s where you come in. Learn how to take a close look at a Web site and find out why evaluating web sites is so important.
Insights for Evaluating Web Sites
- No matter what you search for, one of the top results that you’ll often get is Wikipedia. Wikipedia allows anyone to add or edit information, and doesn’t verify whether that information is accurate or correct. Though Wikipedia is okay for reading about pop culture and nonacademic matters, it can't be considered a reliable source of information for study or school projects. Learn more about Wikipedia and how it works.
- For a more in-depth look at how to determine if a site is trustworthy, see the “Web Site Credibility” section of the Guide to Web Search.
Top Sites for Evaluating Web Sites
For guides to evaluating Web sites …
Internet Detective
has tips about researching online. Learn how to assess the value of a site by heading directly to “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly." This page covers online hoaxes, spoofs, scams and some common ways to spot them, along with a few real-world examples.
Multnomah County Library
provides a few questions to ask when figuring out if a site is trustworthy, and things to watch out for (such as an overload of advertisements).
UC Berkeley Library
has a slightly more advanced guide to evaluating Web sites. Learn why the URL is important, and how to tell if the quality of the information meets high standards.
Starting an Online Research Project
The most obvious places to start looking for facts online are search engines, but they’re not ... read more »
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