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ENC1102 - College Composition 2 - Miller

Limiting to Educational and Government Sites

Internet search results can sometimes be the Wild West! Results can come from a variety of websites and encompass multiple different source types, ages, and viewpoints. One way to quickly limit your search results to educational or government sites is to add site:edu or site:gov to the end of your search. These sites tend to be more reliable and informative. Please note that there should be no spaces in this phrase.

site:edu limits your search to results from educational websites, and specifically educational institutions, mostly colleges and universities.

Google search for: veganism and environment site:edu

site:gov limits your search to results from government websites. These are typically U.S. federal government sites, but may include some state or local governments.

Google search for: veganism and environment site:gov

Government sites are also good for reports and statistics. Include the word statistics or data in your search.

Evaluating Websites

Use the following evaluation questions to determine if websites are appropriate for college-level research.

Who?

  • Who is the author of this page?
  • Are the author's qualifications clearly stated?
  • Is the author separate from the "webmaster"?
  • Can the author be contacted for clarification?

What?

  • What is the purpose of this site?
  • What topics are covered?
  • What goals/objectives does this resource meet?
  • What opinions are expressed?
  • What is the context in which the information is provided?

When?

  • When was this site created?
  • When was it last updated?

Where?

  • Where did the writers obtain their information? Are citations included?
  • What institution published this? Are they reputable?
  • Where can I verify this information?

Why?

  • Why is this information useful?
  • Why is this page better than other pages on this topic?

Commitment to Equal Access and Equal Opportunity

Santa Fe College is committed to an environment that embraces diversity, respects the rights of all individuals, is open and accessible, and is free of harassment and discrimination. For more information, visit sfcollege.edu/eaeo or contact equity.officer@sfcollege.edu.

SACSCOC Accreditation Statement

Santa Fe College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). For more information, visit sfcollege.edu/sacscoc.