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Why can't I just Google it?
Google is a good place to start your research, but...
Conducting research and finding information for your assignment takes time and effort. So why can't I just use Google and Wikipedia? This is a perfectly reasonable question that new students often ask.
Try the quick activity below to test your assumptions about the advantages and disadvantages of using Google and Wikipedia for your research.
Activity: Advantages and disadvantages of Google
Drag the statements into their correct category. Incorrect answers will snap back to their original position.
Advantages
Disadvantages
- Not all information is credible on the internet - anyone can publish anything.
- Finding information is quick and easy.
- Easy access to non-text sources such as measurement data, images and video.
- It may be difficult to know if the information is out-of-date or biased.
- Because there is often so much information, it can be hard to identify the most relevant sources.
- Google only searches the public web. Over 90% of information is found in the deep web.
- Information can be updated almost immediately.
Well done!
Google does have its advantages, but remember to be mindful of its limitations for your research.Which of the following statements are advantages or disadvantages of Google and Wikipedia?
Statements
- Not all information is credible on the internet - anyone can publish anything.
- Finding information is quick and easy.
- Easy access to non-text sources such as measurement data, images and video.
- It may be difficult to know if the information is out-of-date or biased.
- Because there is often so much information, it can be hard to identify the most relevant sources.
- Google only searches the public web. Over 90% of information is found in the deep web.
- Information can be updated almost immediately.
Answers
Advantages
- Finding information is quick and easy.
- Easy access to non-text sources such as measurement data, images and video.
- Information can be updated almost immediately.
- Not all information is credible on the internet - anyone can publish anything.
- It may be difficult to know if the information is out-of-date or biased.
- Because there is often so much information, it can be hard to identify the most relevant sources.
- Google only searches the public web. Over 90% of information is found in the deep web.
Both Google and Wikipedia can be used for a basic overview and to find background or general information about your topic. However, they do have serious limitations for academic research.
Watch the video to find out more about using Google and Wikipedia for your research.
Meet Katrina. Katrina is a health science student at RMIT University. Recently, Katrina received her marks back for an assignment and she was shocked to find she hadn’t done as well as she’d hoped. Katrina had done what most students do: She had just Googled her topic.
Feeling down, Katrina asks for feedback from her lecturer, Professor Felinopolous. He explains that while Google is a good starting point to get an overview of a topic, you can’t just use Google and expect to get good marks for your assignment.
So, why is that?
Firstly, the internet is not organised. When you search a term in Google, you’ve probably noticed that you get huge amounts of information returned to you.
These results are based on popularity. In other words, Google is a popularity contest and search results are based on Google’s own ranking, rather than credibility or reliability. Google also knows a bit about you. Its “personalisation” feature means that your search results will be affected by your internet history, location, and IP address, too.
Secondly, there is little quality control on Google. Anyone can write anything on the internet. The information may be biased, inaccurate, or have a hidden agenda. Information could also be sponsored by sources with vested interests. And lots of information is not authoritative or credible. It’s not written by experts or peer-reviewed.
On Google, it can be hard to identify sources. Who wrote it? How do you verify the sources? Trying to find this information can waste valuable research time.
To see a list of the best databases your topic area, choose your Subject Guide.
Use the RMIT Google Scholar link, that way your search results will include resources from some of the RMIT Library online collections.
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