Communication Resources: Find and Evaluate Internet Sources

Although there are many search engines available, Google is the best known and one of the most accurate.

Try the Advanced Google Search for additional options.

.com - "commercial"

.org - "organization" 

.net - "network"

.edu - "education"

.gov - "government" (US)

.mil - "military" (US)

.int - "intergovernmental"

Different countries have different extensions.

We all know there is a wealth of information available on the Internet.  The problem with searching for information on the Internet is that we don't always know where it comes from and whether or not it is authoritative.  It is important to be selective and to evaluate the information you find online.  Consider the source of the information.

Here is an excellent guide from UC-Berkeley that outlines the most important factors to evaluate:

Evaluating Web Pages:  Techniques to Apply and Questions to Ask

How can I know if a source will work for my speech, research project or assignment? How should I evaluate a potential reference?

1. Current. When was the item published? It may be important to have a recently published source.
2. Relevant. Does the article or book address my topic?
3. Authorship. Is the author or publisher reputable? If the information is anonymous, is the website or magazine reputable?
4. Accuracy. Does the author provide evidence? Peer-review journal articles and scholarly books provide references (citations).
5. Purpose. Why was the item written? For example, as research, to entertain, to sell, to persuade? Consider the context, for example cultural, political, or institutional context.

We all know there is a wealth of information available, whether that information comes from the Internet or the bookshelf. The problem with searching for information, and especially on the Internet, is that we don't always know where it comes from and whether or not it is worth trusting.  It is important to be selective and to evaluate the information you find.  Consider the source of the information.

You can use the CRAAP Test linked below to help you decide whether or not to use the information you find for ANY source, not just for the Internet.

Scholarly vs Popular

Criteria	Scholarly Journal	Popular Magazine	Trade Magazine/Journal
Example
Content (Accuracy)	In-depth, primary account of original findings written by the researcher(s); very specific information, with the goal of scholarly communication.	Secondary discussion of someone else's research; may include personal narrative or opinion; general information, purpose is to entertain or inform.	Current news, trends and products in a specific industry; practical information for professionals working in the field or industry.
Author (Authority)	Author's credentials are provided; usually a scholar or specialist with subject expertise.	Author is frequently a journalist paid to write articles, may or may not have subject expertise.	Author is usually a professional in the field, sometimes a journalist with subject expertise.
Audience (Coverage)	Scholars, researchers, and students.	General public; the interested non-specialist.	Professionals in the field; the interested non-specialist.
Language (Coverage)	Specialized terminology or jargon of the field; requires expertise in subject area.	Vocabulary in general usage; easily understandable to most readers.	Specialized terminology or jargon of the field, but not as technical as a scholarly journal.
Graphics (Coverage)	Graphs, charts, and tables; very few advertisements and photographs.	Graphs, charts and tables; lots of glossy advertisements and photographs.	Photographs; some graphics and charts; advertisements targeted to professionals in the field.
Layout & Organization (Currency)	Structured; includes the article abstract, goals and objectives, methodology, results (evidence), discussion, conclusion, and bibliography.	Informal; may include non-standard formatting. May not present supporting evidence or a conclusion.	Informal; articles organized like a journal or a newsletter. Evidence drawn from personal experience or common knowledge.
Accountability (Objectivity)	Articles are evaluated by peer-reviewers* or referees who are experts in the field; edited for content, format, and style.	Articles are evaluated by editorial staff, not experts in the field; edited for format and style.	Articles are evaluated by editorial staff who may be experts in the field, not peer-reviewed*; edited for format and style.
References (Objectivity)	Required. Quotes and facts are verifiable.	Rare. Little, if any, information about source materials is given.	Occasional brief bibliographies, but not required.
Paging	Page numbers are consecutive throughout the volume.	Each issue begins with page 1.	Each issue begins with page 1.
Other Examples	Scholarly Journal Annals of Mathematics, Journal of Abnormal Psychology, History of Education Quarterly, Almost anything with Journal in the title.	Popular Magazine Sports Illustrated, National Geographic, Time, Newsweek, Ladies Home Journal, Cooking Light, Discover	Trade Magazine/Journal Architectural Record, PC World, Restaurant Business, American Libraries, Psychology Today, School Band and Orch

 

Based on Scholarly vs. Popular Materials by Amy VanScoy, NCSU Library

http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/guides/spmaterials/

"When conducting research it is important to distinguish between journal articles and magazine articles. Journal articles are typically referred to as "scholarly," while magazine articles are usually considered "popular". A third category, "trade" magazines or journals, are written for professionals in a particular field but are not strictly research related. Below are additional criteria to consider when differentiating between journals and magazines" (NCSU).