Yale University Library Research Guides: ANTH 330/MMES 306: Peoples & Cultures of the Arabian Peninsula: Being smart about the internet

Don't be fooled by the internet

Embarking upon research on the open web? Beware -- it's a crazy world out there!

Start your search here
Not sure where to start? Try these databases.
Be a Google Power User (Lifehack)
Get the most out of the all-knowing Google!
Evaluate Internet Resources
Read everything with a critical eye. An excellent resource from Georgetown University Library.
Look for context clues in the structure of the website
Investigate the website's metadata, intent, and age. You'd be surprised what you can learn. From UC-Berkeley.
Know your intent (Purdue OWL)
Have a clear thesis statement! It could be that if you're writing about the psychological effects of internet trolling, you may need to go to some less-than-savory websites. But make sure you are doing this consciously.
Don't be afraid of microfilm! (Yale Microfilm Reading Room)
Remember, not everything is online! Before the internet got big, many archival collections and books that were in poor shape were microfilmed. Yale has large and amazing collections of microfilm and microfiche -- feel free to go browse, and do ask for help!