The Internet Research Handbook

Book excerpt: Internet Research Methods provides clear and detailed advice on the main areas of Internet research. For those carrying out research on-line, a number of very different sets of skills from the conventional 'systematic way of asking questions', is required. Niall O'Dochartaigh sets out, in clear and simple terms, best practice in the use of the Internet as a mainstream research resource. He covers: learning how to access the correct sites and extract information in the shortest possible time; maximizing the possibilities of email contact with other researchers around the world; finding out about the major databases which are devoted to the social sciences; learning how to do the detective work necessary to evaluate and to cite documents whose authorship and origins are often unclear; This practical guide deals with the Internet as a thread which runs through the entire research process, from formulating a research question to publishing the results of research.