How do I do research on the Internet?

Why use the Internet?

• Even though it is best to use encyclopedias, books, and other written materials to do research (the information is more valid), it is more common for students to use what is available on the Internet.

• This PowerPoint will describe the best methods for finding information on an academic topic.  

What should I do before I start?

• Following the steps below will help you to simplify your question:

What is your topic? – What are the key elements you are looking

for? • Make a list!

What are my searching options?

 

• Search Engines: help you to search using keywords that describe the subject you are researching. Examples: Google, AltaVista, Dogpile, Search.com, Metacrawler, Yahoo, LookSmart

How do search engines work?

• A computer program is constantly searching the Web. Information found is sent to a central database. When you enter a search term, you are retrieving information from this central database.

• Use a search engine when you are looking for less common words, narrow topics, and to return a large number of pages.

• Examples:Google http://www.google.com/AltaVista http://www.altavista.com/

What do I do?

• Double click on the Internet

• In the browser, type your search engine of choice.

Then hit Enter key!

• When you get to the search engine, click in the box to type what you want to search. Type the name of your American, like William Tecumseh Sherman, and hit Enter.

Your site choices will pop up!

What do my results mean?

Once you have done a search, you will see a list of web pages.– the most important pages should appear at

the top of the list – there is often some information to help you

decide which pages to look at in detail

Each webpage you find will display the following information:

(continued)

• Title of the page

• Description of the page, taken from within the page itself William T. Sherman, USA, in May 1865. The black ribbon around his left arm is a sign of mourning over President Lincoln's death. Portrait by Mathew Brady. ...

• Address of the page en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Tecumseh_Sherman - Cached - Similar

William Tecumseh Sherman - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Now what?

• After doing your search, click on a website (highlighted in blue) to look at.

• You should be taken to the site.

So…………..

• If you can use the information, great! Write down the source – USE YOUR BIBLIOGRAPHY SHEETS

• Additional hint: the date the site was last modified is at the bottom of the page.

• Write down all the information you need– ON YOUR PICK A PERSON WORKSHEET,

ETC.

Let’s Do Research!

• Find at least 3 Internet sources. Afterwards, we are ready to go!