With billions of websites on the internet containing billions more pages of content, there are just too many web resources to count. Looking for resources, deciphering what is worth reading and considering, can be a full time job. Web content is written by people from all walks of life. Some are knowledgeable and credible; others are well meaning, but not so credible. Then there are those who spread spam and malicious web content for financial gain only. Learning how to find good content, and sift through it quickly, shaves off valuable time. Knowing what makes some sites better than others can also help to find good content faster.
Content and Evaluation:
When searching for web resources it’s advisable to use more than one search engine. Not all sites are listed on every major search engine. Use word variations to broaden the search when inputting keywords. This will increase the number of results. Different terms could well be used on some sites. Don’t use vague terms, be specific about what you want to accomplish from your search.
Consider how well the content is written. If it doesn’t make sense, or is full of spelling and grammatical errors, chances are, the site may not be too reliable. The aesthetics of the site shouldn’t be considered, a fantastic looking website might have looks alone, and a plain looking site may have the information that you’re after.
If a site has excessive advertising, the intent behind the site is probably not to provide quality information. These sites are made to generate money. They use unrelated keywords and content to attract traffic. Beware of redirects, as sometimes you may be taken to a malicious page.
Always gather information from competing reputable sites. Both sides may be right. Don’t always assume that the first source is entirely correct, especially in the fields of research and science. Opposing thoughts and theories encourage more open thinking. Comparing information can add value to an argument. This can help you to come to a more definitive conclusion, or it may make you want to find out more.
Date and Sources:
Check the dates of articles to see if they are current. On some sites, last updates will be clearly stated. Timeliness is important when searching for web resources. If the information is out of date or obsolete, it won’t be much help.
Sources should be well known and reputable. Government agencies, organizations, educational facilities, and official sites are considered to be reliable sources of information.
Organizational Structure:
- Have a few different browsers open, so that information on different search engines can be compared.
- Discard pages that have excessive advertising, or information that is of little relevance.
- In general, site url’s containing .edu, .gov, .org, and official .com sites, are sources of good information.
Other:
Keep a record of the list of sites that are relevant to area you are researching in. Ensure that this is done as appropriate sites are found. Losing this information would be most frustrating.
Additional Resources:
Evaluating Internet Sources
Evaluate Web Resources
Evaluating Websites
Evaluating Web Pages: Techniques to Apply and Questions to Ask
Evaluating Internet Research Sources
Evaluating Internet Information
Evaluating World Wide Web Sites
Academic Resources on the World Wide Web
Google – Webmaster Tools Help
Health Information on the Web: Finding Reliable Information
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