Transcript Library Research Using the WWW (World Wide Web)

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 4
Functions 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
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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/Hog
ue/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/Samesex_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
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.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
• MLA
L.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.>