The document provides guidance on how to properly perform online research. It defines research and its types, lists the steps to effective online research, and names factors to consider such as source credibility and date. The document outlines dos and don'ts, recommends search engines and scholarly resources, and describes how to cite sources using APA format both in-text and in the references list. It concludes by emphasizing making a research plan and only using credible, up-to-date sources while avoiding plagiarism.

1. Performing Online Research
By: Joanne Agonias, Charlie
Campbell, Naomi Land
Boise State University
NURS 397 Fall 2011

2. Objective : To educate peers on how to properly and effectively perform
online research.
Overview
• Define Research and its different types
• List down the steps to performing online research effectively
• Name some factors to consider when researching online
• Know some do’s and don’ts to online research
• Identify search engines for general topics and web resources for more
scholarly information
• Be able to properly cite online references using APA format

3. Introduction
research[ree-surch] the diligent and systematic inquiry or
investigation into a subject in order to discover or revise facts,
theories, applications, etc.. The repetitious and continuous filtering
of information (Dictionary.com, 2011).
Why it should be done properly – to obtain the correct
information needed to satisfy the requirement of the project, thesis,
essay, etc.. It will also assist you in providing an informed opinion
needed for such (Gil, 2011).

4. Types of Online Research
Hard research-
• Scientific Combined research -
• Objective  Both hard and soft
research combined.
Soft research -  Politics and topics of
international economy are
 Subjective such types (Gil, 2011)
 Cultural
 Opinion-based

5. Steps to Online Research
 Questioning - understand the assignment and ask questions regarding
the topic.
 Planning– specifics of the project, where should you look, etc..
 Gathering– broad/initial searching and then narrow it down.
 Sorting and Sifting – put information in some sort of order, get rid of
repeated info.
 Synthesizing– put it all together in a report.
 Evaluating– proofreading, making sure it satisfies the requirement,
citing all of the sources (Shaw, 2003).

6. SOME FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN CONDUCTING ONLINE RESEARCH
• Source of Information
▫ The credibility of the source of information is very important
▫ Tip : URLs ending in “.edu” or “.gov” are more legitimate
• Date of Publication, and how often the site is updated
• Objective Information vs. Subjective Information
▫ Objective Information: based on facts
▫ Subjective Information: based on opinions
• Article does not emphasize a specific brand or company. It may be an
advertisement.

7. Do’s and Don’ts:
• DO know exactly the topic and the purpose of your research. Consider what kind
of research project your instructor has assigned.
• DO carefully phrase keywords to get better results.
• DO understand Boolean operators“AND,” “OR,” “AND NOT,” and know how to
use them effectively in keyword search. This technique will help narrow search
results to a reasonable number of potentially useful documents (Bergman, 1998)
• DO NOT rely on Wikipedia (www.wikipedia.org) as your main source of
information. Even though it offers mostly factual information, this free online
encyclopedia can be edited by anybody. Instead, use scholarly information from
academic search engines.
• DO NOT plagiarize.
• DO always cite your sources. Use APA format to cite online references.

8. FOR BROAD/GENERAL TOPICS
According to the eBizMBA articles (2011), the
•These sites are good for coming
Most popular search engines are: up with topics to research,
• Google – www.google.com generating ideas, and formulating
• Yahoo! Search – www.yahoo.com an outline for what to research.
• Bing by Microsoft – www.bing.com
• Ask – www.ask.com •These sites should not be used for
• Aol Search – www.aol.com gathering actual research data and
cite as main references unless they
satisfy the requirements for valid
research.
Most popular reference websites for are:
Wikipedia Yahoo! Answers About.com Answers.com eHow
www.wikipedia.comwww.answers.yahoo.comwww.about.comwww.answers.comwww.ehow.com

9. Academic Search Engines for Research
www.library.boisestate.edu – Here, one can search hundreds of
databases to find relevant information.
▫ Some of the most useful databases for Nursing are CINAHL,
Medline and PUBMED.
▫ Need to be a BSU student with ID and password.
The CDC, Medline Plus, and PubMed are government websites
that have health related articles available for free to the public.

10. How to Cite Online Sources Using APA format
In-text Citation:
• Here are some examples listed on Research and Documentation Online 5th Edition website (Hacker &
Fister, n.d.) for APA in-text citations for electronic sources including online sources:
 Basic APA Format : (Author’s last name, year of publication)
Example: Children who spent at least four hours a day watching TV were less likely to
engage in adequate physical activity during the week (Atkinson, 2001).
 Unknown Author: (“Short form of the Title,” year of publication)
Example: The body’s basal metabolic rate, or BMR, is a measure of its at-rest energy
requirement (“Exercise,” 2003).
 Unknown Date: use the abbreviation “n.d.” (for “no date”)
(Author’s last name, n.d.)
Example: Attempts to establish a definitive link between television programming and
children’s eating habits have been problematic (Magnus, n.d.).
▫ For more information and examples, please go to the website of Research and Documentation Online 5 th Edition,
Social Sciences : APA in-text citations, http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/resdoc5e/RES5e_ch09_s1-0001.html

11. How to Cite Online Sources Using APA format
Reference Page Citation:
• According to the Purdue Online Writing Lab (Angeli et al., 2011), to cite online references using APA format, here
are some rules to follow:
 Follow the same guidelines for printed articles
Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Date of publication). Title of article. In Title of book or
larger document (chapter or section number). Retrieved from
http://www.someaddress.com/full/url
Use “n.d.” (for no date) if date is Italicize the title of the larger
Arrange reference list alphabetically by the
unavailable document
last name and initial of the first author of each
work. Use hanging indent paragraph style.
Double space the entire reference list.
When available, always use the article’s DOI when citing online articles as opposed to the URL. If the
online article does not have a DOI, provide the journal’s home page address.
What is a DOI? DOI stands for Digital Object Identifier. It is a long alphanumeric code unique to the
document to provide a stable link for the online article since URLs may potentially change.
Brownlie, D. (2007). Toward effective poster presentations: An annotated bibliography. European Journal
of Marketing, 41(11/12), 1245-1283. doi:10.1108/03090560710821161
Go to: http://www.crossref.org for their “DOI Resolver or DOI Lookup” to locate an article’s
complete DOI.

12. Online APA Reference Guides
1. OWL at Purdue – http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/2/10
2. APA Reference Style Guide at Northern Michigan University (updated to 6th edition)
http://library.nmu.edu/guides/userguides/style_apa.htm.
3. APA Style at American Psychological Association website (view the free tutorial)
http://www.apastyle.org/learn/tutorials/basics-tutorial.aspx
4. APA Style: The Social Sciences at the Research and Documentation Online 5th
Edition website:
http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/resdoc5e/RES5e_ch09_o.html

13. Conclusion
Although online research may appear to be an easy thing to do, there are
many steps involved. The process may be tedious, cumbersome, and
may make you re-think your topic, subject, etc. Here is a recap of what
will help you take the tediousness out of your online research project:
Make an outline of the steps needed for your online research project
including estimates of how long each step will take.
Only use credible sources and up to date data when doing searches.
Use Boolean phrases to help narrow search field.
Do not PLAGIARIZE. Do cite your work in text and in a reference list
according to APA formatting.

14. References
Angeli, E., Wagner, J., Lawrick, E., Moore, K., Anderson, M., Soderlund, L., Brizee, A., & Keck, R. (2011). Reference List: Electronic Sources (Web
Publications). OWL Purdue Online Writing Lab. Retrieved from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10
Bergman, M. (1998, May 6). Search Tutorial: Guide to Effective Searching of the Internet. Effective Internet Searching Tutorial, 26. Retrieved from
http://www.staff.amu.edu.pl/~uamzpoip/seminarium_mgr/sem_m_JWP/Guide%20to%20Effective%20Searching%20on%20the%20Internet.pdf
eBizMBA The eBusiness Knowledgebase. (2011). Top 15 Most Popular Search Engines/December 2011. Retrieved from
http://www.ebizmba.com/articles/search-engines
eBizMBA The eBusiness Knowledgebase. (2011). Top 15 Most Popular Reference Websites/December 2011. Retrieved from
http://www.ebizmba.com/articles/reference-websites
Gil, P. (2011). About.com. Internet for Beginners. How to Properly Research on the Internet. Legitimate methods, suggested techniques, good sense, and
plenty of patience. Retrieved from http://netforbeginners.about.com/od/navigatingthenet/tp/How-to-Properly-Research-Online
Hacker, D., & Fister B. (n.d.). APA in-text citations. In Research and Documentation Online 5th Edition (Social Sciences). Retrieved from
http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/resdoc5e/RES5e_ch09_s1-0001.html
research. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved December 03, 2011, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/research
Shaw, R. (2003). Tech & Learning. Teaching Students How to do Online Research. Retrieved from http://www.techandlearning.com/article/teaching-
students-how-to-do-online-research/41215