Many of my students only use Web sites as research sources. How can I help them to find reliable sources on the Web?
Many students use the Web for research because that is what is familiar to them, whether or not it is the appropriate resource for an academic paper. There is good information available on the Web but it’s often hard for students to differentiate between what’s valuable on the Web and what’s not. Effective Web searching is a skill that requires an understanding of the Web search tools you are using. The ILS guide on how to Search the Web & Evaluate Web Resources may help your students to learn the differences between the various types of search tools and supported features. It includes a section on Using the Web for Research, covering company, government, organization and statistical Web sites. Another good resource for information about Web search engines is searchenginewatch.com, which includes Web search tool searching tips, reviews and analysis. Ask students to show you the search strategies they used to find their information and if necessary give them feedback to improve their se
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