| Tarleton
State University Libraries |
Unit 3 |
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INTERNET MATERIALS: PURPOSE & USES |
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Internet
Materials take a wide variety of forms
and require various methods of access.
As used in this discussion, the term Internet materials applies
to items that can be accessed using online search engines or
directories, following web page links, or typing specific URLs.
In general, these online materials are also free. |
One of
the main features of the Internet is the ability to quickly link an
item to other related information. Also, the Internet offers information
beyond plain text, including sounds, images, and video. Usually, information
on the Internet is accessed using a browser.
Anyone with an Internet account can post information on the Internet;
therefore it offers a wealth of information. However, the ease with
which information can be made publicly available also means that special
care must be taken when evaluating information that is freely available
on the Internet. More information about evaluating Internet materials
is provided in Unit 8.
The following list shows some reasons to use Internet materials as
research sources:
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to
find current news and information, |
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to
locate information about companies, industries, and trends, |
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to
quickly access facts, numbers, and definitions, |
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to
locate both expert and popular opinions, and |
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to
find information from all levels of government. |
 Newspapers:
Purpose & Uses |
Using
Primary/Secondary Sources  |
Library Orientation Site
Index
Updated 7/2004 |
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