Library Research Using the WWW World Wide Web

1
Library Research Using the WWW (World Wide Web)

• An Introduction

2
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

3
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

4
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

5
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

6
5 Steps of Website Evaluation

• Authority
• Accuracy
• Objectivity
• Currency
• Coverage

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Authority

• Does the website have a clear owner?
• Are they qualified?
• Is the person an expert in the field?
• Look for Phds and associations
• Check the bottom of the page for this
  information!

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Examples

• http//www.oncolink.com/
• This site is authoritative
• http//www.whitehouse.org/
• This is a parody site it is not authoritative!

9
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?

10
Example

• www.exxon.com
• This site is accurate (companys main site)
• http//iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/Spring01/Hogue/exx
  on.html
• Inaccurate site

11
Objectivity

• If the website doesnt 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

12
Examples

• http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Same-sex_marriage_in_
  the_United_States
• Unbiased
• http//www.nogaymarriage.com/
• biased

13
Is it Current??

• Is the website updated regularly?
• When was it created?
• Be sure to check for news articles and
  acknowledgement of visitors (counters)

14
Examples

• http//weddings.theknot.com/weddingdress/bs_main.a
  spx?gowntype1
• current
• http//www.weddinggowndress.com/
• Out of date

15
Coverage

• What is the purpose of the site?
• How in depth is material on the site

16
Examples

• http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tigger
• History about the character from AA Milnes
  Stories
• http//emeri0.tripod.com/tigger/
• This page is for entertainment only

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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

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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)

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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.
  lthttp//www.vuu.edu/library.htm.gt