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Library Research Guides
Trinity College
Library & Information Technology Services

POLS-318 State-Building (Matsuzaki)

Fall 2023

About Web Resources

Using Websites

What are Web Resources?

Web Resources are websites, pages, or other online content that you can find just by searching the internet through your browser. Basically, anything that you can find by searching Google is considered a web resource.

When should I use Web Resources?

In general, web resources can be a helpful first step in your research to identify useful keywords to search library databases and gather basic information about your topic. 

In most cases, web resources will not be considered scholarly enough to include as sources in your research assignments.

Web Resources May be Useful When... Web Resources May NOT be Useful When...

 You are just beginning your research and need to come up with key terms to use for your searches
Web resources can provide helpful, generic background information that you can use to develop your topic and identify more specific keywords or terms for searching library databases.
Example: You need more information on the Black Panthers to determine which aspects to research for your assignment

 You need credible or scholarly information
Since anyone can publish information on the internet, web resources are generally considered unreliable because they do not go through a rigorous review process before being published.
Example: Impact of social media on mental health

 Your topic involves finding different perspectives or how different people respond to societal events or information
Since anyone can publish on the web, especially on social media platforms, web resources can be a good way to collect examples of how specific individuals feel about certain topics.
Example: How people in different societal groups reacted to the COVID-19 pandemic

 Your topic is on a complex issue requiring in-depth information
Since most web resources are not written by scholars or experts in the field, their content is likely to have less depth and analysis and instead provide only a broad overview or understanding of the topic.
Example: Benefits and challenges of establishing universal healthcare in the United States

 You need statistics usually collected by a government agency
The government collects and publicly publishes statistics in many areas including education, socioeconomic data, health, and information on foreign nations, among others.
Example: Variation in unemployment and poverty rates across the United States

  You need a source that can be verified by your professor
Web resources are not stable. Their content and location can change at any given moment, so if you require a source that your professor or reader can refer to to verify your information, you should avoid using a web resource.
Example: You quote a statistic from a Wikipedia article that later gets updated

 Your topic or assignment will benefit from the usage of multimedia resources
Web resources can include multimedia content, such as videos, images, and interactive tools, which can enhance your research.
Example: A research assignment on the cultural significance of music festivals might benefit from the inclusion of photos, video, or audio recording of such events and the people that attend them

  

Types of Websites

Types of Web Resources

Web Resource Type Definition Uses
Website or Page A website is a collection of pages published on the internet that usually related by a common theme, topic, content type, owning organization, etc. and share a base domain name (i.e. trincoll.edu).
A webpage is a single page published within a website.		 Generally good for gathering background information.
Blog A type of website consisting of long-form posts written by an individual or small group on a designated topic that they may or may not have legitimate expertise in.
Blogs are usually a forum for people to write and share their thoughts and opinions.
Blog content typically dated and listed in reverse chronological order with the most recent at the top.		 Can be good for gathering non-expert opinions of a topic.
Social Media Platform A website whose purpose is to provide a platform for individuals to share brief ideas, information, or virtual materials, and whose content consists of posts written almost entirely by its users or account-holders, who typically form a type of virtual community.

Can be good for gathering non-expert opinions of a topic.

Can be good for seeing diverse perspectives on a subject.

Can be good for tracking minute-by-minute event occurrences.
Streaming & Multimedia Websites Websites or pages that consist almost entirely of video or other multimedia content such as images or audio.
Examples included YouTube, Unsplash, Spotify, etc.		 Useful when you need to incorporate a visual element into your research.

Suggested Websites

NGO & IGO Websites

GENERAL POLICY & RESEARCH INSTITUTE WEBSITES

If you find information from another website or through social media, you need to make sure that it's credible.  In addition to using the skills discussed on the "Evaluate Sources" page, you can use the tools below to help you determine if the information is truthful and accurate.

Fact-Checking Resources