2. Choose a Topic
3. Do Initial Search
4. Refine topic
5. Identify key sources
6. Study key sources
7. Integrate
8. Present findings
References
- Think about the “big picture”
- Use a search engine to locate sources
- Explore hypertext links
- Skim sources, check against criteria
- Create and organize bookmarks
Think about the big picture
You will probably look at many more sources than you will end up using. As you refine your search, you will narrow your topic. But for now, read widely. This helps you gain a broad understanding of the subject.Remember that no piece of information stands alone. A piece of data in isolation is meaningless. So try to understand the “big picture” or context of the subject you are investigating.
By initially looking at a fairly large number of information sources, you get a better sense of how each source fits into the big picture. You can also get a better sense of how valuable each source is to you.
Use a Search Engine
Choose a search engine. You can access a search engine from your web browser. From Netscape, click the Search button. A default search engine will appear, but you can choose another engine by clicking.The search engine locates sources that match key words that you enter.
Most search engines provide online help. If you aren’t sure what search
engine to use, check the following sources.
Sheila Webber (University of Strathclyde, Department of Information
Science) lists sources at http://www.dis.strath.ac.uk/business/search.html
Phil Bradley provides an overview of search engines at http://www.philb.com/compare.htm.
Explore Hypertext Links
One of the advantages of the World Wide Web is the ability to link from one place to another. By exploring links, you may find important information you would never have come across otherwise.On the other hand, it is easy to get lost in a sea of information. So explore links, but try to keep track of where you are. See the Focus issue page for more about this issue.
Skim Online Sources
Review nuts & bolts criteria for evaluating online information, particularly the criteria for relevance and usability.Skim web sources to get an idea of their content and usability. If a source is irrelevant or difficult to use, it is probably not worth any more of your time.
Spend just enough time to get the gist of what the site is about without getting bogged down in details.
For more about skimming, see the Skim issue screen.
Create bookmarks
Bookmarks allow you to put website names into a menu so that you can easily return to a site. As you skim sites, create bookmarks for those you may want to use in your research.If you are using Netscape, click on Bookmarks at the top of the screen, then choose “Add Bookmark” from the popup menu that appears. Other browsers have similar features. Refer to your browser's documentation or online help.
Organize bookmarks into categories that are meaningful to you. Most browsers allow you to organize your bookmarks into a hierarchical menu (in Netscape, choose "Edit Bookmarks" from the Bookmarks popup menu).
It is easy to add, delete, and rearrange bookmarks, so as your thinking progresses and you narrow your topic, modify your bookmark file whenever you need to.
Step 3 Outcomes
- A sense of the “big picture” of the topic
- Use of a search engine
- A bookmark file of online information sources
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Evaluating Online Information