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| Using Online Databases, the Internet and the Deep Web for Research |  |
| Research for Students of All Ages |
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Learning should never stop, so libraries continue to provide resources for students and lifelong learners. Technology is changing the way we learn - a big part of that is understanding the source of the information. Some of the best basic information is still found in books but the internet and library databases are complementary resources that we try to make as easy to use as possible. Some of the basic concepts in understanding our resources are listed below. Even if you are an adult and don't need to write a research paper, the same principles of understanding the reliability and source of your information still applies. UW Libraries Research101
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| Internet |
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The Internet is a worldwide system of computer networks. When you use a search engine like Google, Bing or Yahoo, you are searching the free, unrestricted areas of the Internet. The websites you visit are on the Internet or "online." Nearly anyone in the world can make a website about nearly anything they want. As such, you cannot just assume the websites you visit are accurate and reliable. They exist usually to promote a product, organization or concept – always look for who created them. You should never use a website for research without evaluating it first. Find out how to evaluate websites here.
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Deep Web or Invisible Web Part of understanding internet searching is to be aware of the deep web or the invisible web. Organizations (corporate, governmental, non-profit, special interest, personal, etc) create their own special data or digital collections some of which they make available for free. It is worth it to know that these resources exist but they can not always be searched by a search engine like Google or Bing. For further definition, see these two websites that explain it more. DeepWebVideo InvisibleWeb guides About the Invisible Web Library Databases Like websites, online databases are part of the Internet and also part of the Deep Web. They are restricted to certain users because of intellectual property and publication agreements. You cannot search them using Google or Yahoo. Burlington Public Library subscribes to several databases and provides access to them for free to our customers. (You may need to login with your library card number to use these databases.) These databases contain magazine, newspaper, journal, and encyclopedia articles that come from printed sources. For example, you can use the ProQuest database to read the same articles from popular or scholarly magazines that requires payment on their website. Databases are good for research because you can find reliable information written by experts in their field from trusted publishers, much of it no longer available in printed form. The complete list of databases available through the Burlington Public Library in on the Reference & Homework A - Z page.
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| When to Use the Internet and When to Use Databases |
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The Internet is great for: -Information on unique topics -Very recent information and news -Multimedia resources (like video, sound recordings, images, etc.) -Government information and forms -Popular culture Databases are great for: -Newspaper articles -Magazine articles -Peer reviewed journal articles written by specialists in their field and original research contributing to recent discoveries in science, technology and the understanding of our society, law, business, government and culture. -Encyclopedia articles -Biographies -Statistics
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