Module 1: Searchpath Basic. Moorpark College Library

Since it is easy for anyone to publish anything on the Web, you will encounter all kinds of information: shopping, news, statistics, encyclopedia, social networking pages, blogs, wikis, company information, personal web pages, and a lot more. Some of these web sites may contain inaccurate, unreliable and sometimes misleading information. Exercise caution when using the Web for your research paper, and carefully analyze everything you find. Many instructors at Moorpark College limit the use of the Web for research papers and require their students to rely on print and online library resources which are considered authoritative and reliable.

More tips on finding information on the Web and evaluating it will be covered in Module 5.

Use the Web

to find the latest news and information (CNN)
to link to information provided by your college and Library over the Internet
to access other colleges and libraries web sites (UCLA, CSUN, California Lutheran University, California State University, Channel Islands)
to find professional organizations and associations (ACLU, American Medication Association)
to find information about companies (Amgen, Starbucks)
to find general information, reports and statistics on health, education, population and others from all levels of government - federal, state and local
to find both expert and popular opinions (Gallup)
to connect with your friends via social networking sites (MySpace, Facebook)

Examples of Web addresses

http://www.lcweb.loc.gov (The Library of Congress)
http://www.google.com (Google, a search engine)
http://www.moorparkcollege.edu (Moorpark College)
http://www.ucla.edu (UCLA)