Customer Reviews

Researching Online for Dummies (with CD-ROM)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Readable, entertaining, informative, and valuable. What more can you ask from any book? Unskilled researchers wanting to learn something from the subject will find an excellent overview of the necessary skills, tools, and resources, an online researcher needs. Skilled searchers will find a handy reference containing thought provoking ideas. The only problem with the book is due to the etheral nature of the Internet...several examples in the book no longer work as described. Newbies may become disconcerted when following along and finding invalid sites or differences between what the book shows and says and what is experienced on the "real" (?!) internet. To her credit, the author gives ample warning that this may happen. It is the only book of its type that I keep within arm's reach.

As a novice web surfer, Resaerching Online for Dummies (like me) by Revea Basch and Mary Ellen Bates was just what the doctor ordered. From the world behind the web to thinking and working like a researcher, Basch has provided the basic information necessary for understanding what the web is and what it does and does not do.

Before reading this book I thought a search engine was something a mechanic used to find the infamous "clunk" noise no one at the car dealership can hear. However, it wasn't long before I found my self saying things like "maybe I should try excite." Or, "I bet I can use GO to get what I need." Is this OK to post in public?

But, by the time I read the chapter on specialty search engines I felt like I was cruising the inormation superhighway like no one had ever done before. Dot com this and dot com that.

As I continued through the text I did find myself becoming a little annoyed at the pejorative nature of the writing. I guess that's why the title is Researching Online for "Dummies." This minor distraction aside, Basch has done an excellent job of making sense of this hypertechnical computer lingo. One thing is for sure. "I won't leave my home page without it."

This is a must-have reference guide, even for seasoned on-line researchers. I keep it on my desk all the time.

I've been researching online since 1994 and I found something that I didn't know on almost every page of this book. It is informative enough to keep a seasoned researcher entertained but simple to use for a first time web searcher.

I may have to have my copy hard bound somewhere to keep it from falling apart through overuse.

(From The Information Advisor, July, 1998) Editor, Robert Berkman:

This superb book, just published this month, is in our opinion currently the guide for effective searching online and the Net for beginners and advanced researchers alike-which is a pretty neat trick unto itself. Although really geared for the novice searcher, Basch has covered everything any searcher would need to know about conducting online research, from creating a research inquiry to choosing a database or Net search engine to evaluating the information. The scope is truly comprehensive, the advice unimpeachable, and the writing crystal clear and accessible and understandable for all. The professional searcher will find it useful because it pulls all of the current wisdom about searching in one place and covers so many online and Internet sources. Researching Online for Dummies is an absolute must for every information professional and researcher.

In "Researching Online for Dummies," Internet research specialist Reva Basch walks readers through the intricacies of conduction research online. She expertly addresses all the basics, including search engines; online indexes, directories, and portals; web-based reference tools; mega-sites; guru pages; and web rings (to name just a few!). Basch also describes more obscure, oft-overlooked (but equally valuable) online tools, such as online collections; virtual libraries; government and corporate sites; and gated information services. Additionally, "Researching Online for Dummies" includes a discussion of specialized research needs; for example, business, government, medical, technical, and scientific research. There's even a mention of professional research services.

"Researching Online for Dummies" is an accessible and informative introduction to the inexhaustible supply of resources that the `Net has to offer. However, it's not just for newbies - experienced computer geeks will find it helpful as well (I know I did). Perhaps the most pressing problem with this guide is that it's a bit out of date. The latest edition was published in 2000, and as the online world evolves at a lightning pace that would stun even Darwin, much of the specific information is obsolete. Though it's still a good introduction to the general principles underlying online research, many of the specific tools discussed are no longer. You may want to wait for a 3rd edition before shelling out your hard-earned money. Until then, see if your local library carries the title.

A simple and quick guide to exploring items on the internet. Helpful for very specific topics. Global issues, true research items and expansive topics, while somewhat covered, still leave you wondering whether there might be other sites out there. A first time surfer should buy this book. Experienced surfers don't need it.

This book is a treasure. Reva Basch not only knows how to research online, she knows how people think, and how they frame questions.

By definition, anyone who can read this review on amazon.com should own this book!!

You can fine everything you want, just learn from the book how. I have a very good opinion of the book but they need a new version up to date.

I do not own this book. I am posting this review as a question. I have noticed the publishing date is 2000. It is now 2010. It has been my experience when a book contains web resources, many things become dated, are now dead links or obsolete. Is this the case with this book or no?