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IM a Librarian

AIM: askraynor
Yahoo: askraynor
MSN: askus@marquette.edu
Google: askraynor
ICQ: 385748443

Phone a Librarian

Call the Information Desk at 414.288-7556

Email a Librarian

Email the Infomation Desk at askus@marquette.edu

Research Consultation

Web sites provide a wealth of information, but some are more reliable than others. To determine the validity of a site, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Authority
   Is the document author or site sponsor clearly identified?
   Does the site provide contact information for the author or sponsor?
   
2. Objectivity or clear disclosure of advocacy
   Is the site's purpose clear (for example, to inform, entertain or persuade)
   Is the site explicit about declaring its point of view?
   Does the site indicate whether it is directed toward a specific audience?
   
3. Coverage
   Are the topics covered by the site clear?
   Does the site exhibit a suitable depth and comprehensiveness for its purpose?
   Is sufficient evidence provided to support the ideas and options presented?
   
4. Accuracy
   Are the sources of information stated?
   Do the facts appear to be accurate?
   Can you verify this information by comparing this source with other sources in the field?
   
5. Currency
   Are the dates included in the website?
   Is the information current, or at least still relevant for the site's purpose? For your purpose?

Criteria list taken in whole from: Ramage, Bean and Johnson. The Allyn and Becon Guide to Writing. 5th Ed. customized for Marquette University. Boston: Pearson Education, Inc., 2009: 602.

1. Use the Advanced feature of Google to be more specific in your search
2. Type "intitle:" to search within page titles. Try intitle:digital divide (no space!)
   
3. Type "inurl:" to search within the web address of a page. Try inurl:raynor
4. Type "related:" to find pages with similar content. Try related:www.marquette.edu/library
5. Type "search tips site:" to access search tips for a specific site. Try search tips site:nutrition.gov
6. Access Google Directory at directory.google.com
7. Type "site:" to return results from a specfic domain. Try site:.org library
8. Type "intext:" in Google News to pull terms from the body of a story
9. Type "define:" to access the built-in dictionary
10. No Calculator handy? Type 12*78 and hit search for the answer
11. The calculator also converts measurements and currency. Try "200 pounds in Euros"
12. Type "weather" and a location or zipcode to get a four day forecast.
13. Type "time" and a location to find the time anywhere in the world
14. Enter a statistics-based query like "population of Britain" to find the answer above a list of search results
    
15. Use "language tools" to search sites with text in a language other than English.