Internet Research – Illustrated

Citation

Isfandyari‐Moghaddam, A. (2011), "Internet Research – Illustrated", The Electronic Library, Vol. 29 No. 1, pp. 147-148. https://doi.org/10.1108/02640471111111488

The internet has broadly penetrated into the life of the twenty‐first century. Generally, learning how to use the internet or increasing familiarity with internet research skills is called “Internet literacy”, which truly is a vital skill set in today's society. This book is an ideal learning tool for a wide range of learners – the “rookies” will find the clean design easy to follow and focused with only essential information presented, and the “hotshots” will appreciate being able to move quickly through the lessons to find the information they need without reading a lot of text. The fifth edition, which includes some new topics especially “search engine optimization strategies”, “search narrowers”, and “evaluating web pages”, consists of four units. The first unit “Searching the internet effectively” provides learners with useful step‐by‐step lessons so that they can understand types of internet search tools, develop search strategies, identify the right searchable keywords, perform a basic search, add and arrange keywords, search using phrases, analyse search results, cite online resources, and understand search engine optimisation. The second unit “Constructing complex searches” shows how to do more advanced searches. In this, it helps learners understand Boolean operators, how to use multiple Boolean operators, how to search using advanced search filters (restrictors) and operators, and utilise metasearch engines. The third unit “Using subject guides” makes learners familiar with internet subject guides (directories) from browsing to searching. Additionally, some tips on using specialised search engines, evaluating web sites and using evaluation criteria are discussed. Finally, the fourth unit “Finding specialty information” attempts to take a step forward. It concerns finding specific information through the invisible (deep) web. To meet this need, finding people, places, businesses, government information, and online reference sources, searching periodical databases, searching vertically, and joining the social search, are taught. Moreover, to bridge the gap between theory and practice, each unit is followed by some helpful exercises in the form of two parts: concepts review and skills review. Providing readers with a glossary and index at the end of the book is one of other strengths of this easy‐to‐use work. Moreover, it is suggested that some issues like email, digital libraries, online public access catalogues (OPACs), open access journals, and citation databases like Google Scholar, Scopus, and ISI will be included in future editions of the book accompanied by a list of URLs regarding topics and tools debated in the text. In short, this book is a great gift for learning about the internet. Equip yourself with various internet navigation skills via this guidebook and enhance the level of your internet readiness.