Today, my eye was twitching.  I know that seems to be a random statement, but it lead me to thinking.  I went online to check out what were the causes of twitching eyes.  The first thing I did was go to Google.  I was able to get the answer to my question, however I needed to wade through the typical advertisements, opinion etc.  As an individual who knows to judge the information with a large grain of salt, I started thinking about the preponderance of people who take the first page of Google as the “authority” and never look beyond.

 I found this infographic about how Google works.  I found it very interesting as it somewhat outlined both the “search” process as well as the related advertising.  (To tell the truth, I RARELY even noticed the advertisements on the page I am viewing, but since reading this graphic have been paying more attention!)

I then considered “how does one know what they have found is credible and/or what other ways of searching are available to improve the credibility of the information received is?”

 Further searching (I know…how do I know it is credible?) I found three sites that I personally found very informative.

 The first one is from NoodleBib. 

The information on their website states: “NoodleTools, Inc., a California company incorporated in 2002, was co-founded in 1999 by mother and son team Debbie and Damon Abilock. NoodleTools’ flagship product, NoodleBib, has emerged as the leading bibliography software on the Internet, transforming bibliographic instruction methodologies in thousands of subscribing schools and libraries.”

 The site http://www.noodletools.com/debbie/literacies/information/5locate/adviceengine.html

Outlines different search engines based on the information you are looking for.  Granted, Google is definitely present, however there are search engines I was not aware of.  These search engines are for all age groups.  Again credibility of the information at each search engine is always an issue, but it does provide alternative sources of information.

 The second is from Berkeley Library.  Berkeley is a known entity as an institution of higher learning, therefore, in my estimation, the information provided has increased credibility.

The site is: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/FindInfo.html

Text taken from the site “This tutorial presents the substance of the web searching workshops formerly offered by the UC Berkeley Library, but now suspended due to budget reductions. We use the term “Research-quality Web Searching” to reflect our belief that there is a lot of great material on the Web – primary sources, specialized directories and databases, statistical information, educational sites on many levels, policy, opinion of all kinds, and so much more – and tools for finding it are steadily improving.”

I really liked this site as it again gave me additional information on how to search and strategies to improve the quality of the search done.

The final site is actually from Google (I know!)  I knew that there were advanced abilities and functions available from Google, but no real awareness of the scope.  So…I did a Google search of Google advanced options.  This is the website that I found: http://www.googleguide.com/advanced_operators.html/.  This really helped me to know different search parameters that can help refine and focus any search done on Google.

 I hope you are able to apply this information yourself!