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Engineering: Using the Web

This guide is designed to provide a basic overview of library services and resources useful for conducting engineering research.

Warning!

O the Internet nobody knows you're a dog image

©2002 The New Yorker Collection from cartoonbank.com. All Rights Reserved.

Evaluating

Whenever you are considering using a website as a source, it is very important that you review the contents in detail. An easy way to make a determination is to use Jim Kapoun's Five Criteria for Evaluating Web Pages:

  1. Accuracy - Can you find an actual author? Is the contact information provided correct? 
  2. Authority - Does the author have any credentials? Have they conducted any research? What makes them an expert? 
  3. Objectivity - Is the information biased? Are they linked to other organizations (especially commercial)? 
  4. Currency - When was the last update to this website? 
  5. Coverage - How in depth is the material? Is it basic, informative information you can get anywhere else?

There are many other resources to evaluate web pages. One of the more interesting examples is CSU Chico's CRAAP Test. 

Domain Names

Limiting  your search to specific domains (.edu or .gov) can remove some of the less reputable websites from your Google searches. 

  • .com - commercial or business
  • .edu - educational institution
  • .org - organization (often non-profit)
  • .gov - government organization