The document provides tips for finding expert websites on specific topics through Google searches. It recommends using search modifiers like "site:" followed by a domain like .gov or .edu to narrow results to government or educational websites. For example, searching "site:ptsd.va.gov trauma" will return results only from the National Center for PTSD website discussing trauma. Other tips include using quotes for exact phrases, uppercase "OR" to search alternatives, and a tilde before words to search for synonyms. When evaluating websites, it suggests checking the author's credentials, the purpose and potential biases, relevance to the topic, and whether sources are cited.

1. MC3 Libraries
Finding &
Evaluating
Websites

2. MC3 Libraries
Better Google results
Basic searches are oriented toward consumers.
Instead, let’s find sites written by experts in their field.
Use “site:” to narrow results just to
the area you want to search.

3. MC3 Libraries
For example, search only
governmental sites using “site:.gov”
Now we have expert results from the
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and
the National Institute for Mental Health.

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“Site:” can be very specific…
We can use “site:ptsd.va.gov” to search
just within the National Center for PTSD at the VA.

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One of your
keywords may be
“trauma.”
Here are results
searching just the
National Center for
PTSD…
“site:ptsd.va.gov
trauma”

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Variations include…
• Site:.edu for university/college based websites
• Site:.org from organizations
• Site:un.org search just within United Nations websites

7. MC3 Libraries
More Google Tips…
• Exact phrase: Search an exact phrase by putting words in quotes.
“post traumatic stress disorder”
• And: Google assumes the word ‘and’ between words
• Not: The ‘not’ in Google is a minus sign with no space before the
word… “-earthquakes”
• OR: The word ‘OR’ must be all caps.
• Synonyms: Put a tilde before the word such as “~stress” The tilde
key is at the top left corner of the keyboard.

8. MC3 Libraries
Try searching these sites…
• ipl2.org: Internet Public Library only presents sites
selected by experts.
• GoDuckGo.com: New search engine with fewer ads and
better results. You can use “site:” here too.
• WolframAlpha.org: Use this site to find statistics and
facts.

9. MC3 Libraries
Need photos, audio or video for
your presentation or projects
Try search.creativecommons.org where you can freely use
the materials resulting from your search. Keep an eye on
the license. Many creators want their name listed or may
limit commercial use and that’s only fair!

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4 things to look
for when you
evaluate a
website

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Author
• Who is the author?
• What experience and/or education
do they have?
• Who is publishing the article?
Are they reputable? What is the
organization’s purpose?

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Purpose
• Why is the author writing the article?
• Sharing opinion or research?
• Objective or biased?
• What audience is the author writing
for? Professional or general?

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Relevance
• Pick articles appropriate to your topic
• Does the article support your paper?
• When was the article written?
• Is the source appropriate?
• Is the author sharing their sources?
• Do their examples support their
purpose?

14. MC3 Libraries
Source Types
• Primary – Original
• Original creations or firsthand views of
history including letters, photos, art,
videos, autobiographies.
• Secondary – Filtered
• Articles, reviews, biographies
• Tertiary – Indexed
• Almanacs, guidebooks, databases,
manuals

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Need Help?
Visit, Call,
IM or Email
Brendlinger Library
(215) 641-6594
West Campus Library
(610) 718-1864
IM a librarian
refdesk@mc3.edu