Health Research Guide: Websites

Resource Type: Websites 

Using the Internet

There are reasons for and against using the Internet. As much as we would like to encourage you to use academic resources, which will be a requirement for your assignments, something like a Google search will have its place during your studies every now and then.

Internet Resources

• Standards of practice.
  • For example: Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia - Professional standards (nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au)
• Community information
• Community based health organizations
• International health organizations
• Government websites
• Online dictionary or thesaurus

Reasons NOT to use the Internet

1. Some resources available on the Internet require payment. You might find the perfect article, but can only view the abstract for free.
2. Information is often not evaluated for accuracy and may therefore be incorrect, misleading or biased.
3. Website come and go, and many times are not updated
4. The internet will give you a lot of information that will not relate to your course of study or topic.
5. Google won't offer you an option to narrow down your search and often provides you extra information based on previous searches.