Location+and+Access

Location and Access Ask Yourself Where can I find what I need? Is this source accurate, credible, and useful?
 * Evaluating Sources –Who? What? When? Why? Where? How?**


 * Who-**Who is the author? Is she/he an expert __on this particular topic?__
 * What-**What information is given? Is it complete? Do I need to look further? Is it just one perspective or all?
 * When-**How current is the information? When was the site last updated, or when was the item published?
 * Where-**Where is this site sponsored? (.org, .edu, .mil, .com, .net)
 * Why-**Why is the author sharing this information? To inform? To persuade? To sell or lure customers?
 * How-**How is the information presented?
 * Are there grammatical and spelling errors?
 * Is emotional or loaded language used?


 * Search Strategies-**
 * 1) In search engines and databases you can use the advanced search screen to combine terms and phrases to narrow our search.
 * Or, us Boolean terms to narrow the search (and, or, not).
 * 1) If you are not getting any results, CHECK YOUR SPELLING!
 * 2) Remember, in search engines like Google, the sites at the top of the list are often those who pay lots of money to be at the top, so they may not be the best. Look through the list and make sure you evaluate the source!
 * 3) Avoid Wikipedia because anyone can add info. to it.
 * 4) Beware of the tilde (~). These sites are often made by individuals and not organizations.

That's the address in the browser's locator window. Take a close look at the domain name. All of these may have accurate, complete, non-biased information, but you need the pay close attention to who is publishing the site!
 * Understanding URLs**


 * .edu** - educational institutions
 * .org** - nonprofit organizations
 * .gov -** government institutions
 * .com** - commercial businesses
 * .mil** - military organizations
 * .net** - network providers

Practice Evaluating Some Sites!
[|Site #1] [|Site #2]

Search Engines
http://www.askkids.com/ http://kidsclick.org/ http://www.factmonster.com/ http://www.dogpile.com/ http://www.yahoo.com/ http://www.google.com/

Databases
www.worldbookonline.com http://www.powermediaplus.com

Researching.... People: http://www.biography.com/ Historical Events: http://www.history.com/