Using the Internet for Research

1. Using the Internet for Research “Using the Internet for Research” by Annie Knight and Luis Pedroza, Santa Ana College, is licensed under CC BY SA 4.0

2. Introduction This tutorial will help you learn more about the functionality of the Internet so that you can use it more effectively and conscientiously for your research. “Internet” by geralt is licensed under CC0 1.0

3. The Web and the Internet People often use the terms “web” and “internet” as if they mean the same thing, but they actually serve different functions that are explained on the next slide … "The Internet of Things" by wilgengebroed is licensed under CC BY 2.0

4. Defining Terms: The Internet “The Internet is a massive network of networks, a networking infrastructure. It connects millions of computers together globally, forming a network in which any computer can communicate with any other computer as long as they are both connected to the Internet. Information that travels over the Internet does so via a variety of languages known as protocols.” Citation: Beal, Vangie. “The Difference Between the Internet and World Wide Web.” Webopedia, 22 Dec. 2016,http://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/Internet/Web_vs_Internet.asp

5. Defining Terms: The Web “The World Wide Web, or simply Web, is a way of accessing information over the medium of the Internet. It is an information-sharing model that is built on top of the Internet. The Web uses the HTTP protocol, only one of the languages spoken over the Internet, to transmit data. Web services, which use HTTP to allow applications to communicate in order to exchange business logic, use the the Web to share information. The Web also utilizes browsers, such as Internet Explorer or Firefox, to access Web documents called Web pages that are linked to each other via hyperlinks. Web documents also contain graphics, sounds, text and video.” Citation: Beal, Vangie. “The Difference Between the Internet and World Wide Web.” Webopedia, 22 Dec. 2016,http://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/Internet/Web_vs_Internet.asp

6. Defining Terms: Search Engines Search engines are used to search large collections of resources on the Internet. There are many search engines available on the Web. The image to the right lists some examples of search engines which you may have used before. Search Engine Examples “Google-Bing-Yahoo2” by http://www.promositios.com is licensed under CCO 1.0

7. Defining Terms: Search Engines (Cont.) If you enter the same search in different search engines, you will get different results from each one. Search engines vary by: • the number and type of sources it searches • the style in which search results are described • the order in which search results are ranked More Examples of Search Engines “Firefox Search Box” by search-engine-land is licensed under CC-BY-2.0

8. Defining Terms: Browsers A web browser, or simply "browser," is an application used to access and view websites. Common web browsers include Microsoft Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Apple Safari. The primary function of a web browser is to render HTML, the code used to design or "mark up" webpages. Each time a browser loads a web page, it processes the HTML, which may include text, links, and references to images and other items, such as cascading style sheets and JavaScript functions. The browser processes these items, then [generates] them in the browser window. (”Web Browser,” TechTerms.com, February 28, 2014) Examples of Browsers “Browser” by MaxPixel is licensed under CCO Citation: “Web Browser.” TechTerms, 28 Feb. 2014, http://techterms.com/definition/web_browser

9. Search Tips There are many ways to search for information on the Web, and it can be overwhelming when you receive a huge number of results. The video on the following slide provides tips for searching the Web more effectively. “Teenager Typing” is licensed under CC0 1.0

10. Search Tips "Searching the Web" by The Vermont Council on Rural Development is licensed under CC BY 3.0Video link: https://youtu.be/SkKC1BnuQsE

11. Internet Domains Another way to specify the type of information you want is to search within specific Internet domains. Doing domain searches can help you retrieve information from certain types of websites, such as government websites or college and university websites. The video on the next slide explains more about domain searching. Examples of Internet Domains “Domain Examples” by Annie Knight is licensed under CC BY 4.0

12. Internet Domains "Internet Domains: What Web Addresses Mean" by The Vermont Council on Rural Development is licensed under CC BY 3.0Video link: https://youtu.be/cg6-EPcNAoI

13. Evaluating Information Anyone can publish almost anything they want on the Web, whether they are an expert on the subject or not. So when you use the Web for research purposes, it is important to remember that information you find may not be screened or edited. Therefore, it is extremely important that you question the legitimacy of the information you find and its source (the author of the information -- be it a person or organization). “Question Everything” by Christopher Carfi is licensed under CC BY 2.0

14. Tips for Evaluating Websites "Credible Websites?" by Hartness Library is licensed under CC BY 3.0Video link: https://youtu.be/AFEwwG7rq0E

15. Assessment: What did you learn? • Explain two search strategies you can use to limit your results and conduct more specific searches. • What domain would you search to find information published on government websites? • Explain a situation where you think it would be helpful to try domain searching. There are many possible answers. • What should you consider in order to determine if the information you find on a website is legitimate or trustworthy?