Workshop on Internet Searches: How to Get Accurate and Reliable Information

Studies show that most searchers locate only one in 3,000 of the Internet documents available to them. Want to increase your odds? Check out the NBI workshop, Internet Searches: How to Get Accurate and Reliable Information.
The workshop is taught by a team of expert legal researchers, a.k.a. law librarians. I’ll be teaching a section on limiting irrelevant info. Other faculty include Anthony P. Chan, Amy J. Gannaway, and Heidi Acker Yelk.
Here’s the outline:
1. WHY YOUR WEB RESEARCH STRATEGY MAY BE FAILING YOU
Heidi Acker Yelk, 9:00 – 10:15
1. Identifying Your Objectives and Formulating Effective Research Questions
2. Listing Possible Sources of Information
3. Identifying Keywords – Search Queries That Produce Results
4. Using Government Resources as a Starting Point for Your Search
5. Refining (and Varying) Your Search as You Go
6. Search Strategies to Avoid
2. TIPS FOR LIMITING IRRELEVANT INFORMATION
Bonnie Shucha, 10:30 – 12:00
1. Search Engines, Meta-Search Engines, and Directories
1. Differences & Similarities
2. Picking the Right Tool for Your Specific Search
3. Constructing Your Search
4. Evaluating Your Results
5. Search Engine Limitations
2. The “Invisible” Web – Searchable Databases and Excluded Pages
1. Difference Between Invisible Web & Visible Web?
2. Invisible Web Content
3. Finding Invisible Web Content
3. Blogs, RSS, Email Alerts & Podcasts
3. CAN YOU TRUST THE INFORMATION YOU FIND ON THE INTERNET?
Amy J. Gannaway, 1:00 – 2:15
1. Guidelines for Assessing and Selecting Credible Sources
1. Accuracy
2. Authority
3. Objectivity
4. Currency
5. Coverage
2. Evaluating Information for Quality
1. Credibility
2. Accuracy
3. Reasonableness
4. Support
3. Why Verification is Essential
4. Is Your Source or Information Suspect? – Red Flags to Watch For
4. HOW DO I FIND WHAT I WANT? SIFTING THROUGH THE HAYSTACK TO FIND THE NEEDLE – FOR LITIGATORS, CORPORATE SERVICE PRACTITIONERS AND COMPETITIVE INTELLIGENCE
Anthony P. Chan, 2:30 – 3:30
1. People/Assets Finder Guide and Background Checks
2. Online Sources of Public Records and “Publicly Available Information” – SEC Filings
3. Federal, State and Local Government Resources – Statutes, Administrative Rules and Decisions
4. Finding Company and Industry Information – Predicting Industry Trends and Market Shares
5. Tracking Court Cases and Legislation
6. Court Documents – Dockets and Pleadings
7. Statistical Resources on the Web – Case Disposals and Court/Judicial Profiles
8. Know Your Opponent or Co-Counsel – Arbitrator/Attorney Bios and Trial Track Records
9. News Sources
5. HOW TO BECOME “NETIQUETTE” SAVVY
Heidi Acker Yelk, 3:30 – 4:30
1. How to Cite Web Sources
2. Ethical Issues of Online Research – When Are You Crossing a Line?
3. Safe Internet Practices