1. Educators
2. Format: Classroom

The Internet is crucial to finding information, but the real question is how effective are you in using the Internet to find information? Do you take way too long in finding the right information? Do you fall prey to using the wrong information? In this course, you’ll learn effective search strategies and tools in addition to Google and Yahoo! to look for information. You will also learn how to evaluate the information you find so that you use accurate information in your research report.

Learning objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to: 

• Apply appropriate search strategies learnt to construct statements for locating information on the internet
• Differentiate between various search tools, and know how to use the tools effectively
• Evaluate websites and acknowledge or cite sources used

Course outline

Module 1: Internet search strategies

• Boolean and Phrase searching
• InfoMapping
• Field and Filetype searching

Module 2: Internet search tools

• Subject directories & subject guides
• Search engines vs. subject directories
• Meta-search engines

Module 3: Evaluating websites

• Deconstructing URLs
• 5 criteria for evaluating websites
• Type of web pages

Module 4: Acknowledging websites

• Why must we acknowledge websites?
• Using citation styles e.g. MLA and APA