Today everyone uses Google, or a similar search engine, to find answers to just about anything whether they admit it or not. Yes, even librarians are using it. But how reliable is the information? Can it be trusted? Hoax websites and misinformation abounds online, so we must be critical and evaluate the information we are reading online. Do background research, or pre-research. Begin by figuring out what you know about the topic, and then fill in any gaps you may have on the basics by looking at more general sources. This is a place where general Google searches, Wikipedia, or another encyclopedia-style source will be most useful. Once you know the basics of the topic, start investigating that basic information for potential sources of conflict. Does there seem to be disagreement about particular aspects of the topic? For instance, if you’re looking at a Civil War battle, are there any parts of the battle that historians seem to argue about? Perhaps some point to one figure’s failing as a reason for a loss, and some point instead to another figure’s spectacular success as a reason his side won?
