Online Resources

Evaluating online sources of information, some of the good ones, and how to use them.

Evaluating sources
When looking at online sources of information, consider the following:
Scope what & how much info is covered? Quality of content Accuracy of content Currency is the information up to date? Authority of author, publisher, website, etc.
Are the info providers reputable & trusted?

Evaluating sources (cont.)

When looking at online sources of information, consider the following:
Usability, search capabilities, and response time Arrangement of material does the source
have an organized, easy-to-use layout?

Appropriateness to audience is the source

right for your information needs?

Some good sources to know about...

www.ipl2.org - Informa1on you can trust www.refdesk.com - Fact Checker for the Internet The CIA World Factbook - hAps://www.cia.gov/library/publica1ons/the- world-factbook/ - Informa1on on all of the countries around the world.

www.ipl2.org
ipl2 is a public service organization and a learning/teaching environment. Brings together and categorizes information sources from across the Internet Hosted by Drexel Universitys College of Information Science & Technology
(http://www.ischool.drexel.edu/)

www.ipl2.org
How to use ipl2.org
Example ques1on: What are some famous sayings or wri1ngs of the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche?

1.) Go to the ipl2.org homepage, and click on Resources by Subject

www.ipl2.org
2.) Next, look under the heading Arts & Humanities, and click on the sub-heading Philosophy.

www.ipl2.org
3.) On the next page, scroll down until you see a listing that seems suitable, such as The Perspectives of Nietzsche and click on the link.

www.ipl2.org
4.) View the website to read and learn about the famous German philosopher.

www.refdesk.com
The three main goals of refdesk:
1. Fast access 2. Intuitive and easy navigation 3. Comprehensive content, rationally indexed

A one-stop site to find many different types of information on lots of subjects Sets evaluation standards for included reference sources (http://www.refdesk.com/ criteria.html)

www.refdesk.com
How to use refdesk.com
You want to find general information on the Hubble Telescope (the one that takes the cool space photos)
1.) To start, go to the refdesk homepage.

www.refdesk.com
2.) Scroll down to the nearbottom of the home page. Under the heading Refdesk Subject Categories, click on the Space/ Astronomy sub-heading/ link.

www.refdesk.com
3.) Scroll down the Space/Astrology page until you get to the G-I Section. You will then see several links on the Hubble Space Telescope. Click on the Hubble Space Telescope Home Page.

www.refdesk.com

4.) View amazing photos and learn about the history of the Hubble telescope and other space discoveries.

CIA World Factbook

Provides information on the history, people, government, economy, geography, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues for 267 world entities. Includes maps (physical geography and political), flags of the world, and country comparisons

CIA World Factbook

1.) Go to the home page for the CIA World Factbook. https:// www.cia.gov /library/ publications/ the-worldfactbook/ index.html

CIA World Factbook

How to use the CIA World Factbook
You want to find out about the climate of Costa Rica; you might be taking a trip there soon.
2.) From the Select a Country or Region drop-down menu, find and select Costa Rica from the list.

CIA World Factbook

3.) On the Costa Rica information page, select and expand the Geography section.

CIA World Factbook

4.a.) We can see that the climate in Costa Rica is tropical & subtropical, with a dry season from Dec.Apr., and a rainy season from MayNov.

4.b.) The terrain consist of coastal plains separated by rugged mountains, including over 100 volcanic cones.

Summary/Conclusion
When searching and using online resources:
Verify the quality of the information; if it seems questionable and does not list/cite sources, do not use the source. Use appropriate sources for the task at hand. Make sure the information is up to date and current.

Some reputable online sources you can trust...

www.ipl2.org www.refdesk.com www.infoplease.com www.usa.gov/ https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/theworld-factbook/index.html http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/ pages/index.xhtml