Researching on the Researching on the Internet made EasyInternet made Easy

WalkthroughWalkthrough

1) Getting Started1) Getting Started

- Types of Internet Sources and where - Types of Internet Sources and where to lookto look

2)Filtering Information and Critical 2)Filtering Information and Critical ResearchingResearching

-Critically evaluating your Sources-Critically evaluating your Sources

3) A Guide to Search Operators3) A Guide to Search Operators

-Narrowing your Searches -Narrowing your Searches

Getting StartedGetting Started The Internet to say the least is a mixed bag. On The Internet to say the least is a mixed bag. On

one hand, it is the source of incredibly annoying one hand, it is the source of incredibly annoying internet memes (if you have ever been “Rick-internet memes (if you have ever been “Rick-rolled” before, you’ll know what I mean…) rolled” before, you’ll know what I mean…)

On the other hand, it is an incredible source of On the other hand, it is an incredible source of information, (an information “super-highway” in information, (an information “super-highway” in the words of Al Gore). The internet has a the words of Al Gore). The internet has a plethora of information available to you. plethora of information available to you.

So why is it that schools are averse to you doing So why is it that schools are averse to you doing “online researching” with so much information “online researching” with so much information online? It’s because the internet is filled with a online? It’s because the internet is filled with a lot of bad sources. It’s not a matter of look for lot of bad sources. It’s not a matter of look for sources but looking for good sources. We hope sources but looking for good sources. We hope that this webinar will tell you how to do exactly that this webinar will tell you how to do exactly that.that.

Types of SourcesTypes of Sources

There are numerous kinds of sources you should be There are numerous kinds of sources you should be aware of on the internet. There are far too many aware of on the internet. There are far too many as to defy listing but this webinar will focus on a as to defy listing but this webinar will focus on a few sources listed below. few sources listed below.

-Wikipedia (we all use it…and you know it)-Wikipedia (we all use it…and you know it)

-The News-The News

-Current Affairs magazines-Current Affairs magazines

-News Aggregators and Blogs-News Aggregators and Blogs

-Research articles-Research articles

WikipediaWikipedia(www.wikipedia.org)(www.wikipedia.org)

Wikipedia is a virtual collaborative effort between Wikipedia is a virtual collaborative effort between internet users to create an online encyclopaedia. internet users to create an online encyclopaedia. You can even contribute information by clicking You can even contribute information by clicking the “edit this page” tab. It is a good place to start the “edit this page” tab. It is a good place to start for research.for research.

We are told not to use it for research but We are told not to use it for research but everyone knows we use it to start off with. everyone knows we use it to start off with.

Bear in mind that it should only be a starting Bear in mind that it should only be a starting point as the information provided is very general point as the information provided is very general and possible unreliable.and possible unreliable.

You can click the citations at the end of the article You can click the citations at the end of the article to get further and more in-depth information. to get further and more in-depth information.

The NewsThe News For current events, the news is always good for For current events, the news is always good for

getting the background information and the narrative getting the background information and the narrative behind a particular event. behind a particular event.

We’ve all probably heard of how traditional news We’ve all probably heard of how traditional news publications have to compete with the internet. Now publications have to compete with the internet. Now they’re taking advantage of it by posting all their they’re taking advantage of it by posting all their publications online! publications online!

Bear in mind that news is rather heavy on the Bear in mind that news is rather heavy on the narrative and light on the analysis. narrative and light on the analysis.

Also, bear in mind the editorial bias of each news Also, bear in mind the editorial bias of each news publications that may colour how reporters report the publications that may colour how reporters report the news (i.e. Toronto Star is more left leaning than say, news (i.e. Toronto Star is more left leaning than say, the Globe and Mail, which is more in the centre with the Globe and Mail, which is more in the centre with the National Post being more right-leaning). the National Post being more right-leaning).

When looking for news on a specific country, it is When looking for news on a specific country, it is best to use regional and local news sources to get best to use regional and local news sources to get a more “insider’s perspective.” (i.e. for news on a more “insider’s perspective.” (i.e. for news on say China, try a newspaper based in China. say China, try a newspaper based in China. There are plenty of English based news dailies There are plenty of English based news dailies you can read if you can’t read Chinese.)you can read if you can’t read Chinese.)

A good place for where to find local news sources A good place for where to find local news sources is to use the BBC Country profiles (is to use the BBC Country profiles (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/country_profiles/defaulthttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/country_profiles/default.stm.stm

) ) and check under the “Media” heading where it and check under the “Media” heading where it will list all the newspapers, news agencies, radio will list all the newspapers, news agencies, radio stations and television stations in that country. stations and television stations in that country.

MagazinesMagazines

Magazines offer more of an analytical perspective Magazines offer more of an analytical perspective than say the news. While the analysis is not than say the news. While the analysis is not exactly up to the standards of a scholar, they can exactly up to the standards of a scholar, they can nonetheless provide useful contemporary insight.nonetheless provide useful contemporary insight.

Like traditional news publications, most now post Like traditional news publications, most now post their content online to keep up. their content online to keep up.

Magazines can cover many things from culture, to Magazines can cover many things from culture, to fashion or current affairs. For our purposes, we fashion or current affairs. For our purposes, we look mostly at current affairs magazines. look mostly at current affairs magazines.

Like the news, they have an editorial bias but are Like the news, they have an editorial bias but are more upfront about it. more upfront about it.

A list of possible news magazines you could read A list of possible news magazines you could read up onup on

Macleans (Macleans (http://www2.macleans.ca/http://www2.macleans.ca/) – the Canadian ) – the Canadian weekly news magazine.weekly news magazine.

Slate (Slate (www.slate.comwww.slate.com) – a daily online magazine.) – a daily online magazine.

The Economist (The Economist (www.economist.comwww.economist.com) - a British ) - a British based weekly internal current affairs magazine.based weekly internal current affairs magazine.

New Yorker (New Yorker (www.newyorker.comwww.newyorker.com) – a New York ) – a New York based culture and current affairs magazinebased culture and current affairs magazine

Foreign Policy (Foreign Policy (www.foreignpolicy.comwww.foreignpolicy.com) – a bimonthly ) – a bimonthly magazine focussing on international issues and magazine focussing on international issues and economicseconomics

The Atlantic (The Atlantic (www.theatlantic.comwww.theatlantic.com) – a magazine that ) – a magazine that reports on current cultural trends, politics and reports on current cultural trends, politics and foreign affairs as wellforeign affairs as well

News AggregatorsNews Aggregators News agregators tend to be a blend of news and News agregators tend to be a blend of news and

blogs. They are sites that collect the news and blogs. They are sites that collect the news and bloggers will often follow up on them with bloggers will often follow up on them with commentary or provide original commentary on commentary or provide original commentary on them. They would be considered a form of new them. They would be considered a form of new media. media.

They are useful for being a one-stop site for They are useful for being a one-stop site for significant news stories and commentary for the significant news stories and commentary for the day. also write from an editorial stance and make day. also write from an editorial stance and make it very explicit they are doing so. it very explicit they are doing so.

Some news aggregators would include:Some news aggregators would include:-The Huffington Post (-The Huffington Post (www.huffingtonpost.comwww.huffingtonpost.com) ) -RealClearWorld -RealClearWorld

((www.realclearworld.comwww.realclearworld.com))-RealClearPolitics-RealClearPolitics

((www.realclearpolitics.comwww.realclearpolitics.comTalkingPointsMemo TalkingPointsMemo

((www.talkingpointsmemo.comwww.talkingpointsmemo.com))The Daily Beast The Daily Beast

(www.thedailybeast.com(www.thedailybeast.comDrudge ReportDrudge Report

(www.drudgereport.com)(www.drudgereport.com)

Research ArticlesResearch Articles Research articles are difficult to get Research articles are difficult to get

your hands on but if you know where your hands on but if you know where to look, it are not too difficult. For to look, it are not too difficult. For one, there are subscription service one, there are subscription service research articles (and they are very research articles (and they are very pricey if you pay for it yourself) and pricey if you pay for it yourself) and public access ones. public access ones.

Public AccessPublic Access

There are a lot of research reports that are There are a lot of research reports that are drafted by government agencies, think drafted by government agencies, think tanks or NGOs that anyone can view. tanks or NGOs that anyone can view. Sometimes, you may have to sign up for Sometimes, you may have to sign up for the service but you can view the reports the service but you can view the reports for free.for free.

A good list of think tanks, research NGOs A good list of think tanks, research NGOs and policy makers can be found at Foreign and policy makers can be found at Foreign Policy’s Think Tank Index (Policy’s Think Tank Index (http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.phhttp://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=4598p?story_id=4598). ).

Subscription ServiceSubscription Service Subscription service access to research Subscription service access to research

articles are often paid for by institutions. articles are often paid for by institutions. In our cases (we all go to the University of In our cases (we all go to the University of Toronto), we use Scholar’s Portal by simply Toronto), we use Scholar’s Portal by simply inputting our student ID and password.inputting our student ID and password.

Talk to your school librarian to see how to Talk to your school librarian to see how to access them.access them.

Sometimes, public libraries will have Sometimes, public libraries will have access to some scholarly databases as access to some scholarly databases as well. You could ask your librarian for well. You could ask your librarian for them.them.

Critically Evaluating Internet Critically Evaluating Internet SourcesSources

AgendaAgenda• Types of sources availableTypes of sources available

Primary, Secondary TertiaryPrimary, Secondary Tertiary

• Print vs. Internet sourcesPrint vs. Internet sources• Criteria for Evaluating ResourcesCriteria for Evaluating Resources

Types of SourcesTypes of Sources

PrimaryPrimary• Original source, first hand knowledgeOriginal source, first hand knowledge• Fieldwork, interviews, surveys etc.Fieldwork, interviews, surveys etc.

SecondarySecondary• An analysis of primary sourcesAn analysis of primary sources• Textbooks, dictionariesTextbooks, dictionaries

TertiaryTertiary• Compilation of primary and secondary Compilation of primary and secondary

sourcessources

Print vs. Internet SourcesPrint vs. Internet SourcesOnlineOnline PrintPrint

Accessible to anyone with a Accessible to anyone with a computer. May or may not have computer. May or may not have been extensively editedbeen extensively edited

Multiple reviewing and editing Multiple reviewing and editing process for publicationprocess for publication

Critically reviewed by experts in Critically reviewed by experts in their respective field.their respective field.

May or may not have the author May or may not have the author published on the website.published on the website.

Author could be any person with Author could be any person with access to the internet (expert or access to the internet (expert or novice)novice)

Clear author(s), editor(s), Clear author(s), editor(s), publisher(s). You know exactly who publisher(s). You know exactly who was involved in the book.was involved in the book.

Author usually expert (or knows Author usually expert (or knows topic extremely well) in respective topic extremely well) in respective fieldfield

May not be clear where May not be clear where information was obtainedinformation was obtained

Clear where information was Clear where information was obtained. Usually professionally obtained. Usually professionally sourcedsourced

Sites claiming to be factual may Sites claiming to be factual may have bias.have bias.

Bias exists in published documents Bias exists in published documents but it is usually clearly stated.but it is usually clearly stated.

Quick TipsQuick Tips

Some quick ways to filter our sourcesSome quick ways to filter our sources• Look at the URLLook at the URL

Separate out personal websitesSeparate out personal websites• Usually have geocities, yahoo, aol, rogers etc.Usually have geocities, yahoo, aol, rogers etc.• Usually incorporates the persons name (i.e. Usually incorporates the persons name (i.e.

TSarmiento)TSarmiento) Shows source of domainShows source of domain

• Government, profit, non profit, research institution, Government, profit, non profit, research institution, educational institution etc.educational institution etc.

.gov, .edu, .org etc..gov, .edu, .org etc.• Can show country of domain (Canada, US, UK etc.)Can show country of domain (Canada, US, UK etc.)

.ca, .us, .uk.ca, .us, .uk Gradually becoming less secureGradually becoming less secure

Evaluation of Internet ResourcesEvaluation of Internet Resources

Content Credibility:Content Credibility:• OrganizationOrganization

Mission Statement, Goals, Philosophy etc.Mission Statement, Goals, Philosophy etc.

• AuthorAuthor Accomplishments, work experienceAccomplishments, work experience

• PublisherPublisher Is the publisher credible?Is the publisher credible?

• Quality ControlQuality Control Frequency of updated contentFrequency of updated content

Content AccuracyContent Accuracy• Up to date and relevant informationUp to date and relevant information• Documentation of sourcesDocumentation of sources

Without documentation sources is just an Without documentation sources is just an opinion pieceopinion piece

• Exceptions would be journalist articles from large Exceptions would be journalist articles from large newspapers.newspapers.

More documentation = more insights = More documentation = more insights = better chance of understanding entire better chance of understanding entire picturepicture

ObjectivityObjectivity• Fair, balanced, and logical insightFair, balanced, and logical insight

Observe the tone in which the information is Observe the tone in which the information is conveyedconveyed

Be critical of aggressive, angry, emotional Be critical of aggressive, angry, emotional tonestones

• May result in one sided argumentMay result in one sided argument Look for a more calm reasonable toneLook for a more calm reasonable tone

• More likely to look at all sides of an argument More likely to look at all sides of an argument before making an conclusionbefore making an conclusion

A Guide to Search OperatorsA Guide to Search Operators

Search operatorsSearch operators are terms that are are terms that are used to narrow or broaden a search. used to narrow or broaden a search. The operators allow one to save time The operators allow one to save time and frustration while researching by and frustration while researching by specifying the search results. specifying the search results. Common search operators are the Common search operators are the Boolean operators i.e. AND, OR, and Boolean operators i.e. AND, OR, and NOT.NOT.

The OR operatorThe OR operator Most of the time search engines consider all words in a search. To specifically allow Most of the time search engines consider all words in a search. To specifically allow

either either one of several words, you can use the OR operator (note: the OR operator one of several words, you can use the OR operator (note: the OR operator must be always in CAPS). If I want to search for the must be always in CAPS). If I want to search for the G8 Summit 2008 OR 2009G8 Summit 2008 OR 2009, I , I will get results for either one of these years. However, if I search will get results for either one of these years. However, if I search G8 Summit 2008 G8 Summit 2008 20092009, I will get results that shows pages that include both years in the same page. , I will get results that shows pages that include both years in the same page. The symbol The symbol || can be substituted for OR. can be substituted for OR.

The AND operatorThe AND operator This operator is a default when searching; thus, it is not needed.This operator is a default when searching; thus, it is not needed.

Want to exclude terms, use operator. Want to exclude terms, use operator. Adding the minus sign i.e., - before a word tells the search engine that you don’t want Adding the minus sign i.e., - before a word tells the search engine that you don’t want pages containing that word to appear in the results. For example, if I want to search for pages containing that word to appear in the results. For example, if I want to search for anti-virus, but exclude references to software, I will type anti-virus, but exclude references to software, I will type anti-virus –softwareanti-virus –software. The NOT . The NOT operator could also be used for similar purposes; however, it is not as effective as the – operator could also be used for similar purposes; however, it is not as effective as the – operator.operator.

Wildcard or fill in the blanks (Wildcard or fill in the blanks (*)*)If you include If you include ** within a query, search engines treat the star as a placeholder for within a query, search engines treat the star as a placeholder for

unknown term(s) and then find the best matches. In other words, it tells the unknown term(s) and then find the best matches. In other words, it tells the search engine to use variations of that word.search engine to use variations of that word. This operator must be used on full This operator must be used on full words, not part words. The following example shows that the Clinton’s different words, not part words. The following example shows that the Clinton’s different responses on different bills.responses on different bills.

Using the Using the “”“” operatoroperator

By putting double quotes around a set of words, you are telling the search engines to By putting double quotes around a set of words, you are telling the search engines to consider the exact words in that exact order without any change.consider the exact words in that exact order without any change.

Search for the exact words using theSearch for the exact words using the + + operatoroperator..

Sometimes search engines help you search more than they need to. For example, if I Sometimes search engines help you search more than they need to. For example, if I search ca history, I will also get results for California history as well. To avoid this search ca history, I will also get results for California history as well. To avoid this add + operator before ca history, so it will be +ca history (avoid space between + add + operator before ca history, so it will be +ca history (avoid space between + and your search) and your search)

Search within a specific website using theSearch within a specific website using the site: site: operatoroperator

You can specify that search results should be of a given website. For You can specify that search results should be of a given website. For example, if I want to search for Iraq in New York Times website, then I will example, if I want to search for Iraq in New York Times website, then I will type type Iraq site: nytimes.com Iraq site: nytimes.com i.e. the topic I am searching for, followed by i.e. the topic I am searching for, followed by thethe :site :site operatoroperator and the link to the website.and the link to the website.

Know Your Search EnginesKnow Your Search Engines No matter which topic you are searching on, you are likely to use search No matter which topic you are searching on, you are likely to use search

engines. However, the problem with search engines is that you either get engines. However, the problem with search engines is that you either get too many or too little hits.too many or too little hits.

Q:Q: What can help you avoid a lot of frustration and wasted time? What can help you avoid a lot of frustration and wasted time? A: A: Spending some time learning what each search engine does and how Spending some time learning what each search engine does and how best to use it. best to use it.

Most of time it is better to narrow the search results by searching within a Most of time it is better to narrow the search results by searching within a specific subject. specific subject. There are several high quality peer-reviewed subject There are several high quality peer-reviewed subject directories containing links selected by subject experts. Some good directories containing links selected by subject experts. Some good examples are INFOMINE, InfoSurf, Acadamic Info, and BUBL Link/ 5:15. For examples are INFOMINE, InfoSurf, Acadamic Info, and BUBL Link/ 5:15. For instance, BUBL Link/5:15 provides a menu of subjects that allows you to instance, BUBL Link/5:15 provides a menu of subjects that allows you to search within a particular subject, saving a lot of time.search within a particular subject, saving a lot of time.

Search engines can be very Search engines can be very diverse. Here are some diverse. Here are some examples. examples. General Search Engines: Google, Ask. Com, Yahoo! Search

Questions & Answers Search Engines: Human answers: Yahoo! Answers Automatic answers: AskMeNow

Maps: Google Maps, MapQuest

News: Google News, Yahoo!News

ConclusionConclusion

Researching can be a difficult and Researching can be a difficult and frustrating process. The key to frustrating process. The key to easing the process is following easing the process is following the right steps to find valuable the right steps to find valuable sources without wasting too sources without wasting too much time i.e., knowing about much time i.e., knowing about the types of sources available on the types of sources available on the Internet, critically evaluating the Internet, critically evaluating sources, and narrowing you sources, and narrowing you searches.searches.