Online Resources

Wikipedia: Is it a Good Source of Information?

December 10, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

: Image via Wikipedia

Wikipedia is one of the most widely used online encyclopedia’s. Millions of internet users turn to it every day for information. But how reliable is it? Is there any system of checks and balances to make sure that the content is correct?

The problem with Wikipedia is that the content control is a reactive process rather than a preventative one. Anyone can go into Wikipedia and change the content. This makes every article in it a work in progress.

So what kind of system is in place to ensure accuracy? There are hundreds of Wikipedia contributors that know what they are talking about and will change any errors, but there is no way of knowing if any misleading information is out there when you happen to be looking at it. There are Wikipedia editors who have certain articles on their list of things to watch, and will make any corrections. The bigger articles may have many editors watching it at one time.

Wikipedia also keeps a history of every change that has been made to every article. Their editors can easily see when a change has been made and what the change was. If there are users who are continuously making incorrect changes, they could be blocked from making any further changes.

The key to getting the most out of websites like Wikipedia is to use it as a starting point in any research. Always double check any facts you may get from it. You can check the facts by looking at the resources. A good list of resources will have scholarly sources listed such as textbooks, dissertations, and journals,as well as news sources for some types of articles. News resources should be looked at carefully though with the context of the article with the context taken into consideration.

The lesson here is to know what you are looking at, and always make sure to have several different resources.

Finding Credible Resources Online

December 9, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

Having the Internet to use as a resource guide is like having the world’s largest encyclopedia at hand. Using this great resource for research is nearly everyone’s first choice. You can find sites that contain genealogy records, sites that will help with home work and book reports, statistics on financial issues, real estate sites and everything else you can possibly think of. Using the Internet can be a lifesaver, but how do you know for sure that the resources you are using are credible?

One thing to keep in mind is that anyone can post anything on the Internet, which does not mean that the information is positively accurate. Unreliable sources are a dime a dozen. By using a keyword that pertains to the information you are seeking, you may come up with millions of resource articles on that subject.

One way to be slightly more sure that the information you are reading is accurate and up to date, is to check into sites that are run by large schools, colleges or even the government. Newspapers that have online websites can be a great reliable source of information also. Websites that are government run can provide quite a bit of information on things such as current statistics and cover a large number of topics including health issues, food and drug recalls, even the weather forecast.

When possible, double check any information for accuracy. This can be done by looking into other websites that offer similar information, or by going to an actual library and checking the reference material there. Many university’s offer college subjects online that are kept up to date daily by students. Watch for material that may be outdated, especially if you are writing an article for a report or homework. Check to see when the article was written and if it seems old, seek a more current one. Common sense goes a long way when finding credible resources online.

Filed Under: Online Research, Online Resources Tagged With: Information, Real estate, Website

Using Online Resources to Research Health Topics

December 8, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

Information concerning health issues is one of the most searched topics on the Internet. There are millions of articles written on matters concerning health, disease, illnesses and mental health issues. Many of the websites provide outstanding information on specific diseases and what treatments are available, but many others do nothing but give the reader a sense of fear and dread that is not necessarily founded.

Finding a credible medical website with sound information can be done first by going to websites that are run by major health care operators such as hospitals and clinics. These websites contain material that is commonly available due to studies that the hospital has conducted right at their facility. By using these types of websites, the reader can see an unbiased and professional opinion on the latest treatment options. Oftentimes these websites also publish material that has been okayed by the government to educate people of the signs and symptoms of many types of diseases and/or illnesses.

The types of websites to avoid concerning information on health issues are sites such as personal blogs. Not to say that these types of informational sites can not be helpful, but because each and every individual may be treated in a completely different manner by their physician for the same disease, they can’t always be relied on to give up to date information, or information that pertains to any particular individual other then the one posting the blog. Reading personal blogs on miner issues may not be a bad idea, but for anything serious, it is best to go to the experts for research material.

It is always best to consult your personal physician for any decisions you need to make about your care or treatment plan. Using the Internet as a resource site is fine, as long as you always follow your doctors advise first, and then ask he or she questions about any material that you may have found on the Web.

Filed Under: Online Resources Tagged With: Health, Health care, Mental health, Website

How to Use Online Resources and Search Engines to Find Employment

December 6, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

Using online resources and search engines are a great way to look for potential employment opportunities. Because many companies post their job openings on their websites, it is more convenient to check out the site to see if the type of job you are seeking is available at a specific company.

Using a search engine to find employment is being utilized by more and more potential employees every day. The days of trying to reach someone in an office from nine to five are a thing of the past. By using a search engine to find the company you would like to be hired by, you can see exactly what openings they have at any time of the day or night, at your own convenience.

Knowing how to utilize the Web in your job hunt is important. It enables you to reach the site you want to read quickly. Using online resources also helps by showing you where the company has job openings, in case you are considering relocating. Checking into smaller businesses is a plus too, because even the smallest shops usually have a webpage that provides details about employment opportunities.

Filling out an application online also shows that you have computer knowledge, which in this day and age is vitally important in most circumstances. Knowing your way around the computer and the Internet may boost your chances of being hired for the exact job you are seeking.

If you have a particular company or business that you are interested in, you can use a search engine to type in the name of the business, and then in turn, you are usually taken directly to that website. If you are seeking new employment by the keywords of your profession, it may be somewhat harder to get it narrowed down, unless you look on your States employment registry. Many employment sites post job openings online as they come in, which means the information is kept current.

Filed Under: Online Research, Online Resources Tagged With: Business, Employment, Web search engine, Website

Utilizing Wikipedia and Other Sites to Enhance Your Research

December 5, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

There is hardly a day goes by when you don’t hear something about Wikipedia or another encyclopedia website releasing new information. For those that do serious research, these sites can be a pitfall as the information can often be biased or wrong. Using these sites as a primary reference is a dangerous step into the unknown, but they do have their benefits. You can use them as a jumping off point to find real research that has real credibility.

For example, if you are researching a topic and have hit a rock wall for information, you can often easily pull it up on one of these sites. If you scroll down to the bottom of the article, you will find a list of reference materials that the author used. Often times, the individual may have picked excellent resources, but did not transfer the information correctly. You can directly link or have the name of the source so that you can access it. You may just have the perfect mountain of information fall right into your lap.

Another way to utilize sites like Wikipedia is to get better keywords to search with. If you are just starting to learn about a subject, but are not sure what to look for you can pull up one of their articles online. You can quickly scan and find names, places, events are or other keywords that you can type into your search engine that can take you to more reliable sources of information. This is an excellent tool if you are in a hurry to finish an assignment to need a jumpstart.

Even though these sites often contain information that is not the best to cite, they are perfect for getting a head start on your research. Seeing them as a tool can help you make the best use out of what they have to offer.

Filed Under: Online Resources Tagged With: Jimmy Wales, Primary source, Wikipedia

Finding Military Research on the Internet

December 3, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

One of the best subjects to research online is military history, as there are hundreds of sources available. You do have to be careful where you look, as you want to find the information that contains various points of view and the most up-to-date data. Most people often do not realize that each branch of the military has its own group of historians. They also have a website dedicated to the branch’s history, which are chock full of unit information, training manuals and pictures that you can use in your work.

One of the most interesting and prominent sources of information for military research are the museums that are on bases. Their websites are loaded with links to areas of specific interest, such as gas warfare, weaponry, specific battles and history on prominent individuals. These websites are stringently monitored and well-run, making them very good sources for information.

Another excellent spot to look online is the Smithsonian, which has online viewing galleries of military exhibits, access to numerous documents and links to outside sources that are very reliable. Not far down the street from the Smithsonian is the Library of Congress, which has an exceptional website that is designed for both research and enjoyment. You can find various articles, links and stores of sources that you would normally have to travel to look through.

There are also some credible sites that allow you to watch old footage taken during military operations and training exercises. These are excellent for getting a different perspective on what you are researching and see people actually doing what you have been reading about. Many of these sites, including military ones, will have a list of links and a reading list that can help you find the research that you need. These sources will also lead you to information that you can cite with confidence and credibility.

Filed Under: Online Research, Online Resources Tagged With: Library of Congress, Smithsonian Institution, Website