How to Do Research Online
Find credible sources online for any research topic and organize them for your project or paper.
Steps
- 1
Start with a search engine
like Google or Bing and type specific keywords related to your research topic.
- 2
Skip the paid ads
at the top of search results and focus on links from reputable sites like universities or government agencies.
- 3
Check the domain name
of each site. Sites ending in .edu, .gov, or .org are often more trustworthy than general .com sites.
- 4
Look for the publication date
on each page. Information should be current, especially for science and technology topics.
- 5
Save your sources
by bookmarking them or copying the URLs into a document so you can find them again later.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a source is credible?Show
Check that the author is named and the site provides citations for its claims. Avoid sites with many ads or typos.
Can I use Wikipedia as a research source?Show
Wikipedia is a good starting point but use the references at the bottom of each article as your actual sources.
How do I avoid fake news and misinformation?Show
Cross check information across three different sources and verify shocking claims before sharing them with others.
What if I cannot find what I need?Show
Try different search terms or use a specialized search tool like Google Scholar for academic papers.
Related Guides
Written by the HowToDoStuff.online editorial team. Last updated .