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Citing the Internet
With ever-expanding technology comes an ever-shrinking world. Children born in our society today will never know a world without the Information Super Highway. The Internet grows and changes so quickly that our laws and even our morality cannot keep the pace. So where does that leave someone trying to perform serious research on the World Wide Web? It is difficult at best to navigate the prizes and pitfalls on the Internet, particularly when the most innocuous of searches calls forth a roster of the seediest forms of expression. In an effort to find diamonds of information we must sift through a great deal of coal. There are, however, diamonds to be found. One of the most difficult dilemmas in finding quality information on the Internet is determining which search engine can provide you with reliable sources. Search engines vary from Yahoo, listing general information from unevaluated user submissions to TIGER Map Service, which utilizes maps and information from the US Census Bureau. To find the most reliable information for your purpose, you must find the most reliable search engine for your topic. With a search engine selected and specific, well-chosen keywords entered, you are likely to pull up a number of websites that have nothing at all to do with your chosen topic. Take heart and keep scrolling. When you have found that site that lists the exact cut of Victorian clothing you need to name in your novel, or the weapon John Brown carried at Harper’s Ferry, you must take steps to ensure your source is legitimate. Does an academic organization or an individual maintain this site? Is this a website dedicated to the topic, or a home page that has been established by someone with a hobby? Does the author cite references of his own? Be sure to check for contact information for the site manager. If no information is offered, be skeptical of the source. Bad information can be obtained from any media, including the most respected periodicals. In an effort to guard against this, it is very important to understand the source of the information you are choosing. Start by taking the time to find government, educational or non-profit sites to explore that are dedicated to the type of information you seek. These websites can typically be identified by “.gov” “.edu” and “.org” in the URL. This does not guarantee accurate information, but it does typically indicate that a governing body is evaluating the posted information. Proper citations are constantly evolving, and have, unlike our laws, kept up with the demands of information searches on the Internet. There are many good sources for these methods that include citing information from a website, research papers online, articles found online and even citing email correspondences. The College of Saint Benedict at St. John’s University has established a web page to guide a researcher through the details of citing in various styles, including APA, MLA, Turabian and Chicago Citation Styles at http://www.csbsju.edu/library/internet/citing.html. Another valuable resource for writers is NoodleBib – The MLA Bibliography Composer at http://www.noodletools.com/noodlebib/index.php. This site formats an MLA bibliography based on the reference information entered into the form provided. While the Internet is an amazing tool, posting and extracting information require a measure of responsibility. It is impossible and imprudent to control what is posted on the web, but it is important that we be aware of the inaccurate and sometimes damaging information available. It is the responsibility of the writer/researcher to cite all references and ensure they are the most reliable available. This can be done with just a little extra time and care in finding and using these resources. By Kelly Rutt, ABP Editor © 2005 American Book Publishing™ *All other trademarks used by permission. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy and
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