Psyc 473D:
Contemporary Issues in
Multicultural Psychology
Using the Web for Academic Research
Librarian: Janet Hogan, Bartle Library, x7-6355, jhogan
February 25. 2003
Internet users often blame themselves for not being able to find information....They
don't realize the disorganization of the network is the root of their troubles.
Clifford Stoll (1995) Silicon Snake Oil, p. 212.
The Internet is like a raw data stream, an open microphone for every interest
group, corporation, fan club, professional organization, or fanatic that wants
to use it.
Paul Gilster (1997) Digital Literacy, p. 92.
Introduction | Criteria
for Evaluating Web Sites | Sites to Visit
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One More Site | Finding Quality Web Sites
| Class
Topics
The Internet and the World Wide Web have changed the way people of all ages find and use information for our personal and professional research needs. Information abounds from all types of sources: businesses, news agencies, the government, research and educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and individuals. As we all know, the Internet is disorganized, volatile, and dynamic. Sites come and go and changes occur unannounced. The Internet is difficult to search. It is even more difficult to search it well.
It is even more difficult to find useful, credible, and reliable information. Because anyone with some basic computer skills and an Internet connection can make information available on the Web there are varying degrees of quality of information to be found on the Net.
Using the A B Cs Criteria to Evaluate Web Sites
|
Authority |
You need to Identify the site's author, owner, and sponsors.
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Who is the author? Is the author's name clearly visible?
- What are the author's credentials: qualifications, education,
occupation?
- Is a biography or curriculum vita available? Can you
verify this information?
- Has the author written articles or books other than web pages?
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Check BearCat or WorldCat for books. Check journal databases for scholarly or popular articles written by or about the author. Expanded Academic and OneFile and PA Research II (from ProQuest) include articles from the popular press in addition to academic research articles.
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Search for the author's name in a web search engine (Google, Alta-Vista) using " " around the name. For example: "John Smith".
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Use Whois, a database of domain name registrations, from Internic.net or Allwhois for web sites outside the U.S. to find out who has registered the domain name of the URL.
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Look at the About Us statement on the web site.
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Check the domain name that is embedded in the URL (Uniform Resource Locator = the web address). To understand the components of Web URLs use this web page from Johns Hopkins University: Understanding and Decoding URLs.
Note the domain name that is embedded in the URL. The most frequently used domain names end in one of the following extensions:
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Other sub-domains may be part of the URL. These include abbreviations like: .k-12, .fr, .cc, .uk, .ac, .ny.
Use Whois, a database of domain name registrations, from Internic.net or Allwhois for web sites outside the U.S. to find out who has registered the domain name of the URL. In addition, look at the About Us statement on the web site.
| Accuracy |
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Does the author list sources? Is there a bibliography of citations to show where the data is coming from?
- Can the information be verified elsewhere? Perhaps in a print source?
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Watch groups scan the web for mis-information, fraudulent, and fanatical web sites. Virtual Chase maintains an updated list of these groups.
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An excellent article in the Washington Post explains why independent verification of health information is critical. Behind the Screens. Washington Post, May 16, 2000.
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Bias |
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Is an organization responsible for the page? Determine the author's or organization's bias or viewpoint.
- Why was this page written? What is the purpose of the page?
To inform? To sell/market a product or idea? To entertain? To persuade?
- Learn to recognize the growing influence of hate on the Web
- Find and read a web site's Statement of Purpose or Mission
Statement.
- Learn to distinguish advertising from content.
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Widener University gives a checklist to identify 6 different kinds of web pages.
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Consult Political Science: Think Tanks (University of Michigan)
Comprehensive annotated collection of national and international think tanks, public policy institutes, including conservative, liberal, and everything in between that publish information on a variety of domestic and international issues. -
Look at the Anti-Defamation League's Alex Curtis: 'Lone Wolf' of Hate Prowls the Internet.
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Understand business affiliations on the web and off. Who Owns What is published by Columbia Journalism Review.
| Currency |
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When was the page first published and last updated?
- If it was revised, were the changes substantive?
- Always note and cite the date you visited the web page. You may have to prove the validity of your data from another source if your page disappears.
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The Binghamton Libraries always note the date of creation and revision of their web pages.
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This article on breast cancer, posted by a medical doctor, contains no dates.
| Coverage |
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Is the page a complete document or a summary/abstract?
- Does the author cover the topic adequately? Is important information
left out intentionally? What time period is covered?
- Are there good links to additional information?
Examine the sites in your group for their Accuracy, Authority, Bias, Currency, and Coverage. Compare notes with others i n your row. The main questions to answer:
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Who is responsible for the page? Can you find the person who wrote the material and the organization or institution that is hosting the page?
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What is the main purpose of the page - advocacy, marketing/business, information, news, personal?
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What is the bias on this page? Can this information [data] be verified from an authoritative source - web or print? How?
Racism exists on the web in a variety of ways, often insidious. Look at this site Martin Luther King, Jr: A True Historical Examination. Do some real detective work and use the techniques we discussed in class to determine Authority, Accuracy, and Bias:
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who is the author of the site
- what organization is responsible for this information
- what is the purpose of the site
Be sure to look at the e-mail address of the webmaster.
Then take a look at these web sites on Martin Luther King, Jr.
The King Center
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Papers
Project
Use a subject directory, preferably an academic directory, whose web sites have been reviewed and selected by subject specialists or librarians. If you find a good site, then follow its links to other sources. The following academic directories, some of which can be found on the Libraries' Search Engines & Subject Directories web page, will be useful:
Argus Clearinghouse
Look at the headings under Social Sciences and Social Issues.
Best Information
on the Net (St. Ambrose College)
Links to "Hot Paper Topics" such as death penalty, gender issues,
hate crimes, and racism, etc.
Britannica Online 
Search this academic encyclopedia for articles or the Britannica Internet Guide
for web pages selected by Britannica editors.
Documents in the News (University of Michigan Documents Center)
Google's Directory:
Society: Issues
Some useful links include race-ethnic-religious relations, human rights and
liberties, sexual politics
Hot
Topics (University of Louisville)
Contains links to gov docs on police and law enforcement, racial profiling,
sexual harassment, sexual orientation
INFOMINE
Search keyword for multicultural, gay and lesbian in the entire
collection or the subset Cultural
Diversity and Ethnic Resources.
Multicultural Gateways
Ethics (California at San Diego)
Maintained by professor Lawrence Hinman, the section under Applied Ethics contains
race, ethnicity, and gender web sites.
Research the Issues
(Project Vote Smart)
Collection of topical issues, some related to diversity and multiculturalism,
race, and gender.
The Multicultural Pavilion
Collection of links relevant to multicultural education for educators and students.
Understanding Prejudice
Developed by Professor Scott Plous of Wesleyan University, site contains many
links to books, journal, magazine, and news articles, web sites, teaching tools
on all forms of prejudice.