Searching the Web
Searching Google will yield tons of Web sites. To narrow the playing field try clicking on
"Advanced Search"
Here you can limit to
"Search within a site or domain"
e.g.: search for "Amy Tan" within ".edu" sites
Another great search tool is IPL2 (formerly the Librarians' Internet Index)
www.ipl.org
Evaluating Web sites?
There is a lot of good information to be found online. That said, there is much to consider when using a web source.
Consider the following:
Still not sure? Then give the web site the CRAAP test:
Currency – Has the site been updated recently? Do the links still work? Do the graphics still load? When was the article copyrighted?
Relevance – Is this article about the topic you’re researching? Who is the intended audience (college students, K-12, professors)?
Authority – What are the author’s credentials? What is the publisher’s angle? Is contact information provided?
Accuracy – Are sources cited for the claims made? Has the information been reviewed? Can you verify the facts? Are there spelling or other errors?
Purpose – Is the article intended to persuade? Does the author make the intent clear? Does it seem impartial or biased?