Web searches

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The Web can be a rich source of easily accessible information, some of which can’t be found anywhere else. For example, government agencies post information on the Web, and the sites of many organizations are filled with information about the issues they cover. Museums and libraries often post digital versions of primary sources, such as photographs, political speeches, and classic literary texts.

Online directories, archives, government sites, and news sites can lead you to reputable online information. Blogs and wikis can also be a good starting point in your search for sources.

But you should keep in mind that reliable information and unreliable information exist side-by-side on the Web, so you’ll need to evaluate Web sources with special care.

Specialized online search tools

Checking URLs for clues about sponsorship

Refining keyword searches in databases and search engines

Related topics:

Evaluating sources

Selecting Web sources

Evaluating sources found on the Web