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Economics Guide: Search the Internet

This research guide shows the best sources of information in economics.

Searching Google like a scholar

Google Advanced Search

Your first stop for research should be the Library Databases and Library OneSearch

Next, try locating reputable sources with a Google Advanced Search

The following example uses the federal reserve as a topic:

This exact word or phrase:  "federal reserve"                 

  • Google use quotations “federal reserve”

Any of these words: recession depression                   

  • Google adds an ‘or’ between like words

None of these words:  amazon                                     

  • word: -amazon

Numbers ranging from:                                                 

Dates can be entered here

 Then narrow your results by:

 Site or domain:  .gov or wa.gov                                    

  • To limit results, in this case .gov may be helpful

Reading level:

  • Advanced or Intermediate                                                           

File type: 

  • Selecting a pdf file may get you articles

Google Scholar

CRAP Checklist for Evaluating Sources

You can use the CRAP checklist as a quick way to evaluate sources, whether they are books, articles, websites or other kinds of sources. You don't need to be able to answer all the questions but use the list as a general evaluating tool.

CRAP Checklist

CURRENCY
  • How recent is the information, does it matter to your topic?
  • Has the resource been consistently updated/revised?
  • Are links current and working?

RELEVANCE
  • Is the information really relevant to your topic?
  • Does the creator provide references or sources for data or ideas?
  • Are there errors?

AUTHORITY
  • Who is the creator, author or sponsor?
  • What credentials does the author or organization have?
  • Does their experience or education indicate that they could be considered "experts"?
  • Is information about the creator easily found?
  • Is information provided about funding sources or data gathering for the work?

PURPOSE / POINT OF VIEW
  • What is the the purpose of the site? Is it obvious what it's for?
  • Are they trying to sell you something or promote an idea?
  • Who is the intended audience?
  • Is there a strong bias, an aggressive use of language, or a balanced tone?
  • Are there lots of pop-ups and irrelevant ads?
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