Skip to Main Content

Study Smart Criminology: Web Searching and Evaluation

SEARCHING THE WEB

Google is a well-known internet search engine.  To ensure you find quality information, use an appropriate search strategy.  Try some of the tips and tricks listed in Google Searching (pdf).
 
Google Scholar can be a useful tool to find academic research available on the web.  For help creating a search strategy, read Google Scholar: tips and tricks (pdf). 
  
Google is not the only search engine - also consider:

  • Duck Duck Go - A search engine that doesn't track you
  • Bing - Microsoft's answer to Google
  • Jurn - Search millions of free academic articles, chapters and theses

CRAAP Test and BADURL

You need to evaluate all information you find on the web before you use it in your assignment. 

Anyone can publish information on the internet; there is no 'quality control'.  Here are two guides to help you to evaluate the information you find.

CRAAP Test (Video)

BADURL (PDF Guide)