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Research Guides

How? Determining What's What

  • It's ok to doubt. Skepticism should be the rule of thumb when researching, especially when searching the Web.

  • Double-check the facts and sources.  Find the information in another source.

  • Find other web pages that link to or cite this page.
    If other pages link to a Website, then they recommend that site for one reason or another.  Why do they recommend it? They could be fans or detractors of the site.
    • Do a link: search in Google to find Web pages that link to a certain URL.  If you find no links, try a shorter portion of the url, stopping after each /.
      For example: link:pjtv.com

  • Look for more info about and by the author.
    • "Googling someone" can be revealing, but be sure to consider the source. If the viewpoint is radical or controversial, expect to find detractors.
    • Search UW Worldcat to see if libraries around the world hold books written by the author.
    • Search UW Libraries Article & Research Databases and Google Scholar to see if the author has published scholarly journal articles about the topic. 

Be a skeptic