IMC Library – Mrs Devine
Online Research Tips
One of the great benefits of the internet is that we have an enormous amount of information at our fingertips. We can type any question into a search engine and at the click of a button there can be millions of sources just waiting to be explored.
No doubt, for many of you, the internet has been an invaluable resource during lockdown when you have not been able to access the library and have needed information for class activities and assessment tasks. However, while the internet does indeed provide a wealth of information, the question still remains…
How do you know that this information is reliable and accurate?
Let’s face it, anyone can make a website and include any information they want on it. There are no reviews or regulations to keep websites accurate, so this is where we need to ensure that our research skills are helping us to be critical in our search for knowledge. Just because you know how to access the internet, doesn’t necessarily mean you know how to use it correctly for research purposes. Here are some steps to help you in your future research projects…
6 Steps To Successful Online Research
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Did you know that in addition to Google, there are other options like Google scholar, Google Books, ERIC, Infotopia?
By using these search engines, it will help to ensure you are getting accurate information for your topic that has been refined and peer reviewed. It will also help you to avoid information you don’t need from corporations or individuals. |
| 2. Ask the right questions | By developing and refining your search query, you will not be overwhelmed by unnecessary information and you will get better results.
Eg, searching “MAIN causes of WWII’ will provide you with more relevant information than just searching ‘WWII’. |
| 3. Explore databases and encyclopaedias | They are powerful search tools that are more refined so you will find credible information quickly. Through the IMC library link on Compass, you have access to Britannica School which has excellent material on a range of topics for students of all levels. |
| 4. Critically evaluate source material | The CRAP (a.k.a CRAAP) test is a valuable tool when determining whether a source is credible. Each letter in the word CRAAP stands for a concept you should be looking for in your source. By applying the CRAAP test to your source, you can check that the information is up-to-date, related to your topic, written by someone knowledgeable on the topic and as free of bias as possible.
● Currency: When was this information shared? ● Relevance: How does the information fit your topic? ● Authority: Who has written this information and are they credible? ● Accuracy: How correct is this information? ● Purpose: Why was this information shared by the publisher? What’s the goal?
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| 5. Be patient and go beyond the surface | Don’t be tempted to just choose the first result in the list. Take your time and broaden your search and this will help you to develop a deeper understanding of the topic you are researching. |
| 6. Keep a detailed record of the sites you visit and the sources you use | It can get confusing when you are looking at a lot of different sites for research purposes. So be organised and keep a list of all of the sites visited. It will help to remind you of the useful sites and also assist you when creating your bibliography. |
