Online Research

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Copyright Issues

Remember that just because information is on the Internet does not mean that it is there for your free use. When a work is created it belongs to the author. With ownership comes the right to license, sell or distribute it to others. Just because a work is on the Internet does not mean that it is in the public domain. Consider copyright issues when you use any information found on the Internet.

Quality and Reliability of Information on the Internet

You must assess whether information you obtain from the Internet is correct and reliable.  There are no restrictions on who can create a website and post information on the Internet. Consider the following when you judge the quality and reliability of information:

  • Accountability. What are the qualifications of the creator of the site?
  • Bias.  Is there a slant to the information on the site?  Even publications such as newspapers are often said to have a slant. Does the creater of the information have a hidden agenda.?
  • Currency.  How recent is the information?  How often is it updated?
  • Integrity.  How closely linked is information to the original source? Has the information been altered or paraphrased after being recirculated?

Research Links

Listed below are links that may assist you in performing online research.

Reference

Basch, Reva. Researching Online for Dummies. IDG Books Worldwide, Inc. 1998.