Always use caution when using resources from the Internet.
The Internet is not regulated by any kind of academic institution, and you can't always be sure who is giving the information or where it is coming from. Use the tips here to carefully evaluate webpages before including them in your research. If in doubt, ask your professor for their opinion of the webpage before use.
It is vitally important to evaluate the data that we are finding and using in our academic and professional work.
These 13 Knowledge Briefs provide critical questions that we need to consider, and each brief focuses on a particular data type and use.
Search only within a specified domain name in Google using your keyword and then site:.domain
Example:
immigration reform site:.edu
This will search for immigration reform websites only within .edu sites.
KEEP IN MIND . . .
The credibility of online information can be difficult to verify. We always recommend that you evaluate a website with the information provided in this guide, and not automatically rely on a website based on its domain name.
Common Domain Types
.com Most common domain, anyone can create a website using this
.gov Generally used for government sites
.edu Associated with an academic institution. Still use caution, sometimes student work can be represented on .edu sites
.org Initially created for organizations and associations. Use caution, anyone can use to put out information
.net Common domain name, anyone can use to put out information
