Choosing Data from the Internet

You may find much more information on the Internet than you need. Follow these steps to help you choose data for your research.

• 1 Choose your key words carefully.

  If your words are too general, the search results might show hundreds or even thousands of sites to choose from. Narrow your search by choosing specific key words.

  

  This may be too general.

  

  This is more specific.

• 2 Look back at your research questions.

  Skim and scan a Web site to see if it answers at least some of your questions. If it does, save it under “Favorites” or “Bookmarks.” You can come back to it later to read more carefully.

• 3 Check facts and sources.

  Use more than one source to verify your facts, or make sure they are true. Try to find the same fact in at least two Web sites or in an encyclopedia. Think about the source, too. A well-known scientific Web site probably has more reliable, or true, information than a personal Web site.