Cyber Research
Lauren Kostoff
March 26, 2009
Filed under Academics, Student Life, Top Stories
“What is this anyway?!” “Is this even right… ugh! I wouldn’t even know!” “Who could have written this thing?….Bob Kebebew!” “Well who is that!?” “Does Bob even know what he’s writing about!?” “Is his name even really Bob?” “Do I site him as the author of the article or the website or what?!” “Gosh!” “This is ridiculous!” “This website is probably a joke anyway!”
We’ve all been on the hunt—for something rare and elusive…a reliable internet website. Whether it’s your English essay, your science project, or your history paper, we’ve all had our moments where we find ourselves absolutely desperate for some sources. So where do we go for research….Google of course! You can type pretty much anything into Google and nine times out of ten, someone, somewhere, wrote something about it. But how do you really know this website is legit? Because that someone, can really be anyone, and they might not always know what they are talking about. Developing good research habits isn’t hard, it just takes a little more patience, and the knowledge that not everything that Google can lead you to, is best for your research.
Do you ever fear that the website you are citing on your bibliography is not the most serious of websites? That maybe, just maybe, your teacher might notice the sketchy sources you retrieved via Google? I do! So, who better than to ask about solid website research than a teacher!? Mrs. Grosso, who teaches all senior English classes including AP Literature and Composition, said: “My favorite website for student research is My Library Online (http://www.broward.org/library/mylibrary.htm). What makes this an excellent site is that it’s intended for the use of college students doing college research, all legitimate, well-respected journals. All students need is a Broward County library card, which they can acquire by filling out an online form; they don’t even need to walk into the library!”
All of the reliability and solidity of a Library is offered online…without the weird library smells!!! This website is accessed just as easily as any phony website you may stumble upon on with Google, but with this website, the worry of accuracy is alleviated. Mrs. Grosso continued, saying, “For English, students will find a plethora of articles, critical and biographical, on authors, as well as well as other English-related topics such as critical theory and philosophy. There are many resources, however, for all the academic disciplines. To access, go to the above web address; on the right-hand side of the page, notice the Research Corner; click Free Online Resources Electronic Databases; and, voila! legitimate research articles.”
But the best advice I, or anyone else, can really offer, is to go and ask your teacher what websites he or she recommends. After all they do know what they are looking for, and are always more than happy to help out. But the next time you are looking for some reliable research, don’t forget to check out (http://www.broward.org/library/mylibrary.htm), resources provided there will be much more appreciated than anything you may find on Wikkipedia!