Exercise 2

Objectives:

The purpose of this problem is to show that useful information can be found in other places besides bibliographic databases.  Because of its ability to be updated rapidly, information on the Internet or World Wide Web often is the most current.   With this currency advantage, there is sometimes a tradeoff in the reliability or accuracy of the information.  Any information that you retrieve from the Web should be critically evaluated with respect to its reliability, accuracy, and suitability to the problem.   The ease of publication and the lack of peer review and editing controls on the World Wide Web make it is even more important to critically evaluate the information that you retrieve.

In this problem, you will be searching for information in websites on the Web using a search engine that you will select.  Review the objectives listed below:

• Test several WWW search engines to form as basis for judging their strengths and weaknesses;
• Apply and adapt the skills acquired in learning to search bibliographic databases to the Web search process; and
• Critically evaluate the information that you retrieve.

Instructions for Answering the Problem:

1. Read the problem below carefully.

2. Pick two World Wide Web search engines and use them to locate web sites dealing with collecting first editions of modern mysteries.

3. In no less than 150 words:

   • Evaluate the search engines that you selected for strengths and weaknesses, stating your preferences and the reasons for them.

   • After critical evaluation of the web sites that you located, select the best web site and defend your choice.

4. Upload your document to the Digital Dropbox in the class CourseInfo site; make sure to put your name on your document, and label the document Exercise 2.

The Problem:

Tom recently went to a book fair and became interested in book collecting.  The genre that he is most interested in is mystery books, especially modern first editions.  In addition to finding out how to evaluate his own collection, he would like to learn more about book collecting in general, and find sources on the World Wide Web where he could look up the market value of his books.

Help Tom by finding web pages or web sites that answer his information needs.

Select a WWW Search Engine

If you aren't sure where to begin, look at the items below Resources.

Resources:

• Searching the Web
• Critical Evaluation of Online Information
• Help?

Next:

Look in the CourseInfo Assignment folder Information Literacy for Weeks 3 & 4; find your name in one of the two Groups; submit answers to the Discussion Board forum Information Literacy.  Note that everyone is to answer Question 3.

<date last modified:08/30/01>