Book Description

Burke, author of Learning the Internet: A Workbook for Beginners (Professional Media, LJ 4/1/96), has written an excellent introduction to Internet research, suitable for both students and general readers. In a clear, conversational style, he describes the types of resources available on the Internet, general net search tools, and tools for finding specific resources (e.g., people, companies, files). Also included are guidelines for evaluating and citing web materials. Unlike some other recent guides on Internet research, such as Ned Fielden and Maria Garrido's Internet Research: Theory and Practice (Professional Media, LJ 4/1/99), this one does not attempt to cover all aspects of the research process or list net resources for various disciplines. Instead, it emphasizes matching the search tool to the information need and teaching the principles of effective searching. This narrower focus makes for a more practical text that will help searchers at nearly all levels use the Internet more productively. Highly recommended for all professional collections. Janet Crum, Oregon Health Sciences Univ. Lib., Portland-