Sources of Information from Internet

Sources of Information from Internet

Understanding Internet Information Sources

The internet is a vast source of information with websites, blogs, forums, databases, online libraries, and social media platforms providing an extensive range of data.
The currency, relevance, authority, purpose, and accuracy of the information (also known as CRAAP test) should be evaluated before using the data for business purposes.

Search Engines

Search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo retrieve information from the World Wide Web based on search queries.
They use spiders or crawlers to index websites and organise content based on relevancy and keywords.
Advanced search features provide options for more specific results, including filtering by date, content type, and location.

Online Databases and Libraries

Online databases like JSTOR, Web of Science, and Google Scholar provide access to a massive range of academic articles, research papers, and books.
Online Libraries such as the British Library and Questia offer access to digital books, images, and other resources.
Some databases and online libraries require subscriptions or memberships for full access to resources.

Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram actively provide user-generated information in forms of posts, comments, likes, shares, and views.
Businesses can utilise these platforms for current trends, public opinion, competitors’ information, and business analytics.
Privacy settings and data regulations should be respected while using social media data.

Internet Privacy and Data Protection

Ensuring internet privacy and following data protection laws, such as the Data Protection Act 2018, is crucial while using internet sources.
Personal or sensitive data must be handled responsibly, with appropriate consents, and security measures in place.
It’s also essential to respect copyright laws and properly cite or reference internet sources used by the organisation.