The information contained in the text clearly presents material on how to use the internet as a research tool. The search tool that seems the most useful for specific research and more detailed search compilations is via the use of resources as lexixNexis which allows very specific and detailed information connected to scholarly and even business related research. This search type of specialized electronically collected data helps to complement the broader less refined searches done via standard search engines as it will allow many sources to be opened to you dependant upon the search criteria that is stated in the search.
Accessing the information is only as easy as how easily the information is found in the website or whichever media is used. This is why searching within the website via a websites own search tool is essential as a tremendous amount of time and energy can be saved searching content through the use of search tools, rather than manual or visual searches.
Once material is found and used it is important that the information is cited correctly to avoid issues of plagiarism.
In order to ensure one does not commit plagiarism, it is necessary to cite all primary sources including websites. However, citing electronic resources is not always easy. In fact, according to the Library of Congress website, “In some cases, [web] content can be posted without a clear indication of author, title, publisher or copyright date. [In these cases you should] Look for available clues and give as much information as possible, including the URL and date accessed.” (“Citing Primary Sources: MLA). Ideally, one would want to cite a web source with the author’s name and article name first. However, as the above warns, often there is no author listed on websites so the alternative is just to give as much information as possible. The Library of Congress also suggests that academic websites that list entire text sources including author’s name are among the most reliable found on the web.
Plagiarism is an important issue in both academic and business circles. Since US law regards original ideas as intellectual property, in a court of law, unique thoughts are treated the same as physical objects. While common knowledge and well known concepts need not be cited, specific ideas or text must always be cited to avoid committing intellectual theft. According to Plagiarism.org, “…plagiarism is an act of fraud. It involves both stealing someone else’s work and lying about it afterward.” (“What is Plagiarism?”). In other words, using someone else’s ideas without giving them credit or citing them is an act of plagiarism.
Simply using standardized methods such as MLA not only protects the material from wrongful abuse but it adds a degree of weight and professionalism to one’s research and avoids possible problems such as being accused of plagiarism, which can lead to disaster whether one is a student or professional. In order to ensure one does not commit plagiarism, it is necessary to cite all primary sources including websites. However, citing electronic resources is not always easy. In fact, according to the Library of Congress website, “In some cases, [web] content can be posted without a clear indication of author, title, publisher or copyright date. [In these cases you should] Look for available clues and give as much information as possible, including the URL and date accessed.” (“Citing Primary Sources: MLA). Ideally, one would want to cite a web source with the author’s name and article name first. However, as the above warns, often there is no author listed on websites so the alternative is just to give as much information as possible. The Library of Congress also suggests that academic websites that list entire text sources including author’s name are among the most reliable found on the web.
In closing the essentials are knowing where and how to search for information, how to increase the likelihood that your search will yield useful information and the finally protect your work, reputation and the work of others through proper citation to avoid the conflicts associated with plagiarism.
Work Cited:
“What is Plagiarism?” 2010. iParadigms, LLC. 10 Oct. 2010 <http://www.plagiarism.org/plag_article_what_is_plagiarism.html>
“Citing Primary Sources: MLA.” 2010. Library of Congress. U.S. Govt. 10 Oct. 2010 <http://www.loc.gov/teachers/usingprimarysources/mla.html#entirewebsite>
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