This document discusses the large amount of information available online and provides tips for effective internet research. Some key facts presented include that Google's index contains over 50 billion web pages, over 150,000 new websites are created daily, and there are over 152 million blogs online. It then encourages students to discuss strategies for sorting through this abundance of information with a partner. The document provides guidance on evaluating online information sources by considering who created the content, when it was last updated, and what type of information is included on the site. It also includes specific tips for determining an author's credibility and investigating the purpose and accuracy of a website. Students are then instructed to analyze examples using these evaluation criteria and techniques. Overall, the document aims to educate

1. Information Overload?

2. 50 Billion
Estimated number of web pages
in Google’s Index
Source: http://www.worldwidewebsize.com/

3. 4.5 Million
3.7
Million
2009 2011
Source: http://mashable.com/2011/06/19/how-many-websites/#17197How-Fast-Is-the-Web-Grow

4. 150,000
new URLS (websites) created
DAILY
Source: http://mashable.com/2011/06/19/how-many-websites/#17197How-Fast-Is-the-Web-Grow

5. 152 Million
# of BLOGS (personal journals)
on the internet
Source: http://www.onlineschools.org/state-of-the-internet/soti.html

6. 48 Hours per Minute
 Amount of video
uploaded to
YouTube in 2011
Source: http://royal.pingdom.com/2012/01/17/internet-2011-in-numbers/

7. So what does this mean to you
as a student RESEARCHER?
TALK with a partner and list:
2 2

8. How do you sort through
the garbage?
 Share a tip you
already know about
good internet
research.

9. log onto
www.hhsninthgraderesearch
.wikispaces.com

10. Search Smart
The WWW of searching the WWW

11. Evaluating the WWW
WHO put the information there and
how do I know they are credible?
WHEN was the information updated?
WHAT information is there? Is it
thorough, accurate and helpful to my
research?

12. Who
is behind the information?
Identify their CREDIBILITY and AUTHORITY
on the topic at hand.
If you can’t answer this, don’t use the site.
TIPS: Look for “About” or “About Us” or a link to author
information. Dig deeper and look for BIAS with “Our
Mission” or similar links.

14. Find the Who
http://fairview.org/
http://www.cdc.gov/
 How are these sites alike? How are they different?

15. Check the URL
.gov-- a government sponsored website—usually very
reliable.
 .org -- an organization sponsored website --- sometimes
reliable, but watch for BIAS. Use discretion.
 .edu – an educational institution sponsored website--- watch
for a ~ symbol which means a personal page (like a student). Use
discretion.
 .com – commercially sponsored site—can be reliable, but
may be biased. Use discretion.
.net – a site sponsored by a network service– sometimes
reliable--could be a personal page. Use discretion.

16. When
was the site last updated?
One of the benefits of the web is that it is
constantly updated with new information.
Make sure you are getting the latest!

17. Find the When
 http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/ne
ws/2003/05/58861
 http://socialmediatoday.com/dlawrence/
448330/generation-text-teens-and-cell-
phones
Why does it matter in this case?

18. What
information is on the site?
Does it appear to be accurate and
thorough? Does it support your research?
This usually takes some detective work to
figure out.

19. Investigate the
What
http://zapatopi.net/treeoctopus/

20. WHAT Investigative
Tips it look
#1-Get a first impression: Does
professional?
#2-Consider the title of the page: What is the
focus?
#3-Browse the content: Read part of the site.
#4-Identify the “WHO”Are they credible?
#5-Explore a little deeper: Investigate links, tabs,
pictures, etc.
#6-Make a judgment: Should it be used to support

21. Put Your Skills to Work
 www.bfro.net
Investigate the WHO, WHEN
and WHAT.
Make a judgment and support
your reason.

22. Are you
Smart?

23. 50,000,000,000
That’s 50 BILLION possibilities
Lady Gaga

24. Search Tip: 3 things to
avoid
#3

25. Search Tips: Things to
DO
Combine specific key
words
Lady Gaga Influence
Lady Gaga Impact
Lady Gaga Teenagers
Influence

26. Search Tips: Things to DO
Preview before
clicking!
The URL
(who)
The Summary
(what)

27. Search Tips: Things to DO
Use quotations to find exact
phrases
“influence of Lady Gaga”
“contributions of Lady Gaga”

28. Search Tips: Things to
DO
USE Advanced Search
Allows you to search
only for specific
domains (like
.edu, .gov, etc) and
many other ways to
control your Google
results.

29. Your Turn!
Brainstorm on some search queries for
your research topic. Try each tip at least
once.
• Combine specific search terms
• Ex: lady gaga contributions society
• Use direct “quotations”
• Ex: “lady gaga’s influence”
• Use Google Advanced Search
• Search for .edu, .gov, etc.